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walrusonthehill posted:I'm interested in hearing more about the phone proficiency test if anyone has experience with it. I'll be taking the Chinese one. From what I can tell, the skill level required isn't really that high. I'll be familiarizing myself with vocab related to a few current events involving China, but what else do they ask you about, if anything? If I understood the e-mail correctly, a passing score will help me out on the QEP, which definitely sounds nice. Yeah, they're only looking for a 2. If I can't find any work here, or in Thailand/Laos, I'm considering going back to China (or to Taiwan) to bone up on my Mandarin for those easy points. My language assessment was an Oral Proficiency Interview, done through Language Testing International for another government agency, but I think the test is very similar if not the same thing as the rest of the government uses. I choked and totally bombed a question on mine (knew they were going to ask a current event question, that sort of thing was the focus of my language classes, had prepared and had the page sitting in front of me, and just  She even came back to it later to give me a chance to make it up, and I just couldn't do anything) and still managed the equivalent of a 2+ on the new/alternative scale. OTOH, looking at the criteria beforehand that was basically the worst I thought I could possibly do, so don't get too cocky, I guess.They say it's supposed to be like a natural conversation, but you can tell there's a script, although you'll get asked something like "oh, you mentioned X, can you tell me more about it?" a couple of times. For example, I mentioned riding my bike to work, and the interviewer asked me my route. I also remember getting a question asking about technology and kids and what should be done, although that question seemed unusually specific for the interview, I'd guess they switch that one out. There's also a roleplay, in mine the interviewer played a friend who had lent me her iPod, and I had then lost it. I offered to look for it, then buy her a new one, and she kept "escalating" the situation, saying she needed it for a presentation tomorrow, and then that it had important data on it. I kind of cheated and stonewalled her by saying all the data was backed up in her iTunes library, so syncing it to a new iPod would restore everything  It brought the roleplay to a screeching halt, we had a laugh about it and I explained I did that kind of crap for a living. I would say 6-12 months of studying in China, or a year to a year and a half of university classes would be enough, but obviously it depends on the individual and how recent your exposure to the language has been. Pompous Rhombus fucked around with this message at 14:10 on Jul 3, 2010 |
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Jul 3, 2010 14:08
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Nevermind, I passed! The results letter somehow ended up in my Spam folder. I have till July 19 to do my PNQ.
Rabid Koala fucked around with this message at 04:06 on Jul 5, 2010 |
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Jul 5, 2010 03:19
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Congrats! It would kick so much rear end if the DoS was overrun by goons.
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Jul 5, 2010 04:32
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GreySkies posted:Congrats! It would kick so much rear end if the DoS was overrun by goons. Thanks! I'm absolutely shocked. My test was populated with a lot of economics and management questions, and I guessed on all of them. I'm going to request a detailed breakdown of my score just to see how I managed to pull it off. I'm guessing my scores on the Grammar and Writing portions saved me. EDIT: I went ahead and faxed in for my detailed scores. I'm really curious about how I did on the essay. I guess we'll figure out whether they expect a five-paragraph essay or a short memo in 30 minutes. Rabid Koala fucked around with this message at 05:23 on Jul 5, 2010 |
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Jul 5, 2010 04:55
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Anyone think that it's about time that we had a Goons in Government megathread? It'd be a general A/T thread for all goons in all government positions, which could be a handy link to the more specific threads for each agency; it'd also be good crossposting for hiring calls (as we saw with Skand earlier). -e- If we do this, I'll volunteer to draft a nice OP for it.
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Jul 5, 2010 05:20
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SWATJester posted:Anyone think that it's about time that we had a Goons in Government megathread? It'd be a general A/T thread for all goons in all government positions, which could be a handy link to the more specific threads for each agency; it'd also be good crossposting for hiring calls (as we saw with Skand earlier). Yeah, I'd be interested in this. I have to find 9 months worth of something relating to "national security" by December of 2012.
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Jul 5, 2010 05:31
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SWATJester posted:Anyone think that it's about time that we had a Goons in Government megathread? It'd be a general A/T thread for all goons in all government positions, which could be a handy link to the more specific threads for each agency; it'd also be good crossposting for hiring calls (as we saw with Skand earlier). I'd also be interested in this. We have GIP for military stuff, mine as well start a megathread for Civilian Govt. workers as well.
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Jul 5, 2010 07:11
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Done. http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3324421
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Jul 5, 2010 07:26
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Pompous Rhombus posted:I have to find 9 months worth of something relating to "national security" by December of 2012. Maybe they would count a six-pack, a twelve-gauge and a lawn chair on the border with Mexico? 
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Jul 5, 2010 18:17
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What about keeping your tax documents in a lock box??
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Jul 5, 2010 19:53
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Yeah, I'd be interested in this. I have to find 9 months worth of something relating to "national security" by December of 2012. Do those fellowships not help with placement?
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Jul 5, 2010 22:55
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Xandu posted:Do those fellowships not help with placement? Not mine, really. You get some basic tools (Schedule A hiring exemption, a website where they post exclusive jobs for NSEP/FLAS awardees, and a forum where people sometimes post jobs), but the actual finding a job is up to the awardee. The exclusive opportunities are maybe 1-2 positions per month (tops), and I've never had the proper qualifications or regional/language background to apply for any of them in the last 2+ years. The "Job Openings" forum is also equally sparse, but the positions are more widely advertised elsewhere. Part of my problem is my niche-rear end language, not living in DC or having the right connections, and lack of a Master's (which I'm not particularly keen on jumping in to, having done some grad level coursework as a senior), but there aren't exactly jobs out the wazoo either. There's a clause in the contract that says if you can't find anything in the alloted time after making a good faith effort (there's an online tool to document your job search) you're released from the obligation, but I'd rather have a job :-\
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Jul 5, 2010 23:41
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Is anyone here a former Peace Corps Volunteer? If not, does anyone know any current FSOs who are also RPCVs? Any tips on making this transition as quickly as possible, without a Master's degree in the middle? I will be leaving for Kazakhstan on August 18 and my major aspiration is the Foreign Service afterward, specifically the ECON cone. I will learn either Kazakh or Russian in country, and fortunately both are Critical Needs languages, so that will give me a slight boost. In the ECON cone, how far would that .4 get me? I plan to print out pretty much everything on that "landmark supreme court cases" book and take along several books about Foreign Policy (including the Oxford History's massive 1,000 pound doorstop) Also: Can someone please link to some good study materials for the "management" questions I keep hearing about?
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Jul 6, 2010 06:59
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.4 will basically guarantee you an Econ offer if you can pull a passing score. 5.3 +.4 =5.7; the hardest cone, Political, is consistently calling at least that, sometimes even further down into the 5.6's.
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Jul 6, 2010 08:48
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internetstuff posted:Also: Can someone please link to some good study materials for the "management" questions I keep hearing about? There's a list of them in the study guide. I tried reading one and didn't get very far (it was a business textbook), I'm planning on just writing those questions off and making educated guesses. I have a good background in a lot of the other stuff (psych + international relations majors) so I think that part of the test can carry me. Have you thought about grabbing a Kindle to bring with you? The battery lasts practically forever and books/paper is pretty heavy to haul around. Honestly, my impression is that the written test is just to weed out people that don't have much business applying for the FS (for example, Fellows from certain federal programs are exempt from taking it and go straight to the QEP). While you should definitely take advantage of the 2 years to do some studying for it while you're in Kazakhstan, I think seeking out experiences/opportunities that will make you look good for the QEP/give you practice for the Orals is probably going to pay better dividends. Also, make sure to get contact details from people you meet there (especially any Americans) and hang on to them for doing your SF-86.
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Jul 6, 2010 13:32
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SWATJester posted:.4 will basically guarantee you an Econ offer if you can pull a passing score. 5.3 +.4 =5.7; the hardest cone, Political, is consistently calling at least that, sometimes even further down into the 5.6's. SWATJester, Thanks so much for your quick reply! Roughly how hard is it to get a 5.3?
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Jul 6, 2010 15:25
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I seriously sweated the management questions and I got one or two, if that. Honestly, if you have read the newspaper for the last year or so, you'll be fine. I read Blink, which I believe is on the management recommended reading, and it was an interesting read but didn't help any. Also, thanks for the govt thread, SWATJester.
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Jul 7, 2010 02:35
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internetstuff posted:SWATJester, 5.3 is the minimum passing score. I'd say on average, 15-30% of the OA takers pass. -e- Keep in mind though that the QEP before the OA is designed so that if you pass the QEP, they've already determined that you're probably capable of passing the OA. Maybe not on that particular iteration, but at some point. Leif. fucked around with this message at 02:42 on Jul 7, 2010 |
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Jul 7, 2010 02:40
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I'd recommend Steven Covey for the management reading before recommending Malcom Gladwell.
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Jul 7, 2010 02:41
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I'm not going to go into too much detail because of the NDA, but I wouldn't bother reading any of the books on the suggested reading list except for the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Several questions on my test were ripped straight from that bad boy. I read extensively on the history of the United States, the US Constitutional Amendments, World War 2, South Asia, and Europe. I was rewarded for my efforts with a Job Knowledge section that consisted of mostly Management and Economics questions. I also prepared by reading the New York Times every day. I think that was more of a help than anything on the DoS reading list. I can probably comment a little more on what saved me from failing when I receive my detailed scores in a month. I already finished my Personal Narrative questions. Now I'm just revising them before I submit them.
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Jul 7, 2010 03:00
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I've finished my PNQs too, but I'm waiting for my references to give me the green light. One of them would like to talk about it on the phone first (?!) but we still have almost two weeks. One is also in the middle of her house burning down. internetstuff, don't worry about it. The experience you get abroad will help you tremendously on the biographical section of the test and in your personal narrative questions, not to mention the bump from a critical language.
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Jul 7, 2010 04:26
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Okay, so I'm actually coming to DC for two weeks in August, which means I'm now in a frenzy applying to every place I can find...hoping that someone will maybe want to interview or at least chat with me when I'm there. So do any of you have any experience with The Middle East Insitute on Dupont? https://www.mei.edu I emailed them to see if they might have any upcoming opportunities, but I thought it would be smart to also check if any of y'all have connections! God I want to work at this place like whoa.
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Jul 8, 2010 02:32
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CherryCola posted:Okay, so I'm actually coming to DC for two weeks in August, which means I'm now in a frenzy applying to every place I can find...hoping that someone will maybe want to interview or at least chat with me when I'm there. I just got an e-mail for an entry-level India analyst position at State’s Bureau of Intelligence, Office for the Analysis of Near East and South Asia (INR/NESA), but it's exclusive to NSEP people  (At least there are people out there looking for your skillset!) Might not hurt to apply there anyways, never know.
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Jul 8, 2010 02:50
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Pompous Rhombus posted:I just got an e-mail for an entry-level India analyst position at State’s Bureau of Intelligence, Office for the Analysis of Near East and South Asia (INR/NESA), but it's exclusive to NSEP people If you can get into this, I would recommend it. INR is such a great place for analysts to work that there are almost never openings; the half-joke is that somebody has to die for a position to come open.
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Jul 8, 2010 18:45
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I hate the 4th of July. I hate it so much. The day is forever ruined for me.
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Jul 8, 2010 18:54
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What happened, precious? No fireworks? 
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Jul 8, 2010 19:50
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Vilerat posted:I hate the 4th of July. No, you see, the trick is to have kids, who have summer vacation, so you will be gone on R&R for the 4th. Incidentally, I dodged all the bullets -- both literal and figurative -- this year. Was pretty chill for me.
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Jul 8, 2010 19:55
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Even though our 4th of july event (not party, don't you loving dare call it a party) was wholly after hours and it was mandatory attendance with assignments and you weren't allowed to eat/drink any of the event food, we are now being told no comp time because the opportunity to attend the event and expand our careers is enough benefit. gently caress you dude, I'm a specialist. Where's my comp time.
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Jul 8, 2010 20:10
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wow, that's a dick move in a long line of dick moves. You guys didn't even get BBQ Rack-of-Lamb?
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Jul 8, 2010 20:15
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Vilerat posted:Even though our 4th of july event (not party, don't you loving dare call it a party) was wholly after hours and it was mandatory attendance with assignments and you weren't allowed to eat/drink any of the event food, we are now being told no comp time because the opportunity to attend the event and expand our careers is enough benefit. I served the toast to the Charge'. No comp time, but we all said gently caress it and drank and ate.
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Jul 8, 2010 20:15
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Vilerat posted:Even though our 4th of july event (not party, don't you loving dare call it a party) was wholly after hours and it was mandatory attendance with assignments and you weren't allowed to eat/drink any of the event food, we are now being told no comp time because the opportunity to attend the event and expand our careers is enough benefit. Hummm ... something to look forward to next 4th of July ... work ... oh well
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Jul 8, 2010 20:20
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Slingshot Smith posted:Hummm ... something to look forward to next 4th of July ... work ... oh well well I was working, but I was also on a boat with a few co-workers miles from Annapolis with several girls from the navy. I'd hardly call it any fun as we couldn't really BBQ anything, but the view was spectacular.. I got nothing accomplished, of course, and said gently caress it and worked a 18 hour day after I got home on Monday. After 4 grueling hours of beltway traffic  Vilerat, you should've eaten... if it's a sanctioned event and food, I mean what are they gonna do, slap your hands and tell you "no! bad Vilerat! bad!" vvv- yeah i have to agree.. until christmas rolls around and your boss keeps all the secret santa gifts :P Skandiaavity fucked around with this message at 20:45 on Jul 8, 2010 |
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Jul 8, 2010 20:36
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Skandiaavity posted:wow, that's a dick move in a long line of dick moves. You guys didn't even get BBQ Rack-of-Lamb? Not even one of the little shrimp on a stick. Ultimately if this is what you have to bitch about things are pretty sweet though.
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Jul 8, 2010 20:36
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Vilerat posted:Even though our 4th of july event (not party, don't you loving dare call it a party) was wholly after hours and it was mandatory attendance with assignments and you weren't allowed to eat/drink any of the event food, we are now being told no comp time because the opportunity to attend the event and expand our careers is enough benefit. So did you just have to stand around without anything in your hands trying to look like you were enjoying yourself while socializing with guests were eating and drinking. It sounds like an awkward time for everyone involved. How was this supposed to advance your career? Did senior staff get to eat and drink?
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Jul 8, 2010 20:59
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xanthig posted:So did you just have to stand around without anything in your hands trying to look like you were enjoying yourself while socializing with guests were eating and drinking. It sounds like an awkward time for everyone involved. How was this supposed to advance your career? Did senior staff get to eat and drink? Well it was done for economic reasons. It costs a lot to put on a part of this type and they told us to eat beforehand because it would be cheaper. Mostly we drank water and it was fine because we were all told beforehand that this was all comp time. Our parent post disagrees... (actually ask admin seems to disagree too!) quote:Question Ugh. Really it's an irritant and leaves us a bit bitter and disgruntled but bullshit is bullshit no matter which branch of the gov you work in, and you have to deal with it in all of them.
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Jul 8, 2010 21:06
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I got out of the party since he had GITM concurrent with a SecState visit and I expected to be on call for both. Hillary ended up coming early than we thought so I mostly just chilled. I enjoyed the ones I've been to though, got to eat drink, and talk to who I wanted. The job you want is puller. You just hang out until the end and then tell the stragglers to beat it (politely of course but it's still a pretty good gig).
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Jul 9, 2010 00:24
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AKA Pseudonym posted:I got out of the party since he had GITM concurrent with a SecState visit and I expected to be on call for both. Hillary ended up coming early than we thought so I mostly just chilled. I enjoyed the ones I've been to though, got to eat drink, and talk to who I wanted. The job I want is the guy heading to myrtle beach for two weeks to examine the effect of sand particles on the side of cold beer bottles. Got that job, hell yes. (Leave starts at 5pm tonight  )
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Jul 9, 2010 11:47
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Slingshot Smith posted:
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Jul 9, 2010 15:39
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I think one of the guys on the real world claims to be with DSS.
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Jul 9, 2010 15:58
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Whoohoo! Headed back to the States for a week!
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Jul 9, 2010 16:26
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