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TCD posted:My IMO got his 3rd MSI in a row. Ok so it might help push you to the top of the pile but won't guarantee anything? I simply don't know. Wish they documented this stuff.
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Oct 8, 2010 20:17
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One of my previous IPOs got an MSI last time and got promoted this time. I think we have enough evidence to begin drawing some rock-solid conclusions.
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Oct 8, 2010 21:13
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AKA Pseudonym posted:One of my previous IPOs got an MSI last time and got promoted this time. I think we have enough evidence to begin drawing some rock-solid conclusions. Hell yes congratulate me for getting promoted next year woop woop!
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Oct 8, 2010 21:37
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I don't really know how the hiring process works, but my husband is going into the final interview thing (for the third time) and we're really hoping he gets hired. I've read the Foreign Service Spouse Guide but have a few questions. There is not a section for spouses in the OP. Basically the guide says most spousal jobs are "support and clerical in nature and pay accordingly." This terrifies me since I am a professional with a career I would be giving up if he gets hired, and while I am willing to give up this career, I'd like to keep working at something. What are the options for professional spouses? Do I have to take the exam and go through the interview/hiring process if I want to get hired as anything but a secretary? Assuming we get stationed somewhere besides Bangladesh, how often to professional spouses get jobs in the larger community? BigHead fucked around with this message at 17:49 on Oct 14, 2010 |
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Oct 14, 2010 17:44
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BigHead posted:I don't really know how the hiring process works, but my husband is going into the final interview thing (for the third time) and we're really hoping he gets hired. I've read the Foreign Service Spouse Guide but have a few questions. There is not a section for spouses in the OP. My wife is a professional, and we're trying to find jobs on the local economy which can be quite frustrating (in some countries, it's not allowed, other countries- you won't get paid a decent wage, or there will be some other caveat.) So, be terrified or join and be a tandem. *Only served at one Post* edit: I can also count at least 10+ of the 20+ EFMs here who have BS/BA and/or Masters+ degrees. Finding gainful spouse employment is a serious challenge. TCD fucked around with this message at 20:00 on Oct 14, 2010 |
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Oct 14, 2010 19:48
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So, is anyone else applying for the Summer Internship Program? I'm hoping to get in between my Graduation and going on to get an MPA through the Peace Corps' Master's International Program. http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=90717417
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Oct 20, 2010 04:13
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TCD fucked around with this message at 22:12 on Dec 8, 2015 |
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Oct 23, 2010 16:24
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Slaan posted:So, is anyone else applying for the Summer Internship Program? I'm hoping to get in between my Graduation and going on to get an MPA through the Peace Corps' Master's International Program. Not in school so I can't. The first time I applied I didn't get in, the second time I was an alternate so I at least got a free clearance out of it. It was for the embassy in Bangkok. As coincidence would have it, a guy in my sister's MA (International Relations) program was one of the two who actually got the spot. Didn't speak a word of Thai 
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Oct 23, 2010 16:36
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So when do they stop inviting you to the exercises ... or the DCM mentions that your next post called ... asking if you can move a "bit" earlier. Keep em on their toes ... LOL TCD posted:3rd KIA MSG during a drill.
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Oct 24, 2010 00:25
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BigHead posted:I don't really know how the hiring process works, but my husband is going into the final interview thing (for the third time) and we're really hoping he gets hired. I've read the Foreign Service Spouse Guide but have a few questions. There is not a section for spouses in the OP. http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c21619.htm
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Oct 24, 2010 03:20
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Slingshot Smith posted:So when do they stop inviting you to the exercises ... or the DCM mentions that your next post called ... asking if you can move a "bit" earlier. The Gunny and A/RSO think it's hilarious.
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Oct 24, 2010 19:57
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maskenfreiheit fucked around with this message at 21:06 on Apr 28, 2019 |
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Oct 28, 2010 03:16
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GregNorc posted:Any IT specialists care to share? Read through the first 10 or so pages, everything seems geared towards the diplomatic side... I know a lot about international relations, but am I tested on that or my IT skills? More and more systems work is being centralized in DC so computer janitor isn't too far from the truth. But you have an opportunity to be a mail, phone, radio, and diplomatic pouch janitor too. There are special challenges that come up because of security concerns and just being overseas, but it's rarely deeply technical. There's plenty of room for advancement, all way into Senior Foreign Service. It's all managment track though as you might imagine. Assignments are for 2 or 3 years. You extend or curtail but they're all limited to a length of time.
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Oct 28, 2010 12:09
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Got my FSOT results! Let's just say I might as well have taken a test to evaluate my potential to become a fire truck.
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Oct 28, 2010 15:30
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I just got my FSOT results today, and I passed!  I passed by the skin of my teeth, but a pass is a pass!
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Oct 28, 2010 16:41
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Same here, not much of a margin but I passed and my essay passed. Time to start working on PNs
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Oct 28, 2010 17:03
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Gratz all!
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Oct 28, 2010 17:23
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Yes, congrats to the passers! And for everyone else: just remember that plenty of FSOs took the test multiple times before getting in.
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Oct 28, 2010 18:34
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Hey, chiming in with my results. I took the test this time around, without preparing, just to get a feel for the process. I didn't pass, and wasn't expecting to, as I choked on the essay. Here are my results: There were three parts to the multiple-choice section. You scored as follows: Job Knowledge: 53.65 Biographic Information: 51.09 English Expression: 55.99 Multiple-Choice Total: 160.73 Your essay score (if applicable): 3 That essay score is especially horrendous as I have a degree in English and a Masters in Literature.  I bit off WAY more than I could chew in the time allotted and ended up submitting an incomplete argument.Questions: 1. Where can I find the grading rubric for the essay, so I'll know what they are looking for? 2. Are those multiple choice scores competitive for a consular track appointment?
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Oct 28, 2010 20:20
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I'm pretty chuffed that I passed with zero preparation. Are there any resources for the PN out there or is the whole process a mystery? Should I play up the 13 dimensions or do those not really apply to the PN and only to the OAs. I'm not really expecting to pass the QEP since I'm relatively fresh out of college but at least it's good practice until I get my Masters.
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Oct 28, 2010 20:50
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No answer to 1) For 2) They are irrelevant. Your OA scores are what will determine your appointment (actually there's a bit more than that from what I understand, but in effect your OA controls everything). Consular list is looking decent now I think. Ramms+ein: grats! That's how I did it as well. Play up your 13 d's, every single PN answer should highlight at least one or more of those. Also -- did we have a goon meetup at Air and Space museum a couple years ago?
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Oct 28, 2010 20:52
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In other news, I broke into the 30's now on POL. At least I'm moving forward.
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Oct 28, 2010 20:53
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AKA Pseudonym posted:More and more systems work is being centralized in DC so computer janitor isn't too far from the truth. But you have an opportunity to be a mail, phone, radio, and diplomatic pouch janitor too. There are special challenges that come up because of security concerns and just being overseas, but it's rarely deeply technical. Pretty much this... I read the FY2011-2013 IT Plan pamphlet and I was left wondering what the gently caress I'd be doing in 2013. Edit: I need to look at trying to Mustang over to generalist. TCD fucked around with this message at 20:58 on Oct 28, 2010 |
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Oct 28, 2010 20:55
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Business of Ferrets posted:Yes, congrats to the passers! And for everyone else: just remember that plenty of FSOs took the test multiple times before getting in. I'm still going through with the process expecting to have to go through a second time. I would be happy to be proved wrong, though  Also, what are the 13 dimensions?
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Oct 28, 2010 21:56
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harperdc posted:I'm still going through with the process expecting to have to go through a second time. I would be happy to be proved wrong, though Was mentioned earlier, but here's a link. http://mangost.blogspot.com/2006/10/13-dimensions.html
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Oct 29, 2010 00:22
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I scored a 153.06, and the cutoff was 154  Maybe next year.I know I would have blown their socks off with my essay if I qualified for it to actually be scored, too
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Oct 29, 2010 01:25
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Woooo. Goddamn, finding verifiers for these questions will suck.
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Oct 29, 2010 02:13
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They really hosed hated my biographic section, but congratulations to everyone that passed.
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Oct 29, 2010 02:15
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SWATJester posted:
Yea, you went to Florida State correct?
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Oct 29, 2010 23:48
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I passed! I am sort of surprised. After the test I went home and poked around on Wikipedia to check on some of the questions for which I wasn't sure. I was chagrined to discover that I missed all of them. I had resigned myself to taking it again next time. It was really awesome to see that I must have nailed a few of the other questions. Now it's time to start the Personal Narratives.
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Oct 30, 2010 01:57
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Ramms+ein posted:Yea, you went to Florida State correct? Yep! Other news: just went to a show with an FSO couple, both have done it for about 20 years, and the wife is retiring (husband is still in). It is a great idea to meet as many FSOs as you can, every interaction I've had has been super helpful, and I hope it will pay dividends when it comes time to start looking for a post after the directed tours.
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Oct 30, 2010 04:49
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nm posted:Woooo. Don't overthink it. They don't always call (didn't with mine).
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Oct 30, 2010 04:50
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SWATJester posted:Yep! I remember your backstory and all, but how much experience is needed to get through to the Oral Examination? I've spent about a year and a half in the Middle East and I know I can pass the Arabic phone exam in addition to my Persian and Pashto skills but my work experience is sorely lacking. I was one of the youngest people in the room when I was taking the test too which was worrying because I'm sure they all have years of experience to incorporate in their PNs. It just seems daunting trying to turn what little life experience I've had into something to compete with these people.
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Oct 30, 2010 06:01
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It's pretty opaque as to what they want each time. Nobody seems to know. I think your best bet is to take even things that may not be the most amazing, and highlight how they really show your 13 d's well. I personally think that part of the QEP is to weed out the people who either have no experiences that would qualify under the 13 d's, and for those that do, to weed out the ones who are unable to express those adequately in writing (since writing is so important). I remember though that most of my PNQ answers were pretty tame. A lot of it was talking about office work that I had done, some of which was like, when I was 16 working for my dad. I guess just keep in mind that people have submitted the exact same answers two sessions in a row, with different results. Luck kinda plays a big role.
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Oct 30, 2010 06:21
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Do I need to give specific examples. Communications skills: I'm a goddamn trial attorney, communication happens every once in a while. Should i focus on one instance or speak more generally?
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Oct 30, 2010 08:44
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AKA Pseudonym posted:More and more systems work is being centralized in DC so computer janitor isn't too far from the truth. But you have an opportunity to be a mail, phone, radio, and diplomatic pouch janitor too. There are special challenges that come up because of security concerns and just being overseas, but it's rarely deeply technical. Agree with this as well. The comments from the DOS CIO to our group included discussing the future of IT staff at post. Strong customer service and the ability to help find solutions that meet the needs of not only DOS staff but other government agencies that work out of the embassy. My sense is the job is somewhere between sys admin and help desk, with a dose of system analyst and other jobs thrown in. Should be interesting to see what real life is like ... about a month to go
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Oct 30, 2010 19:24
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nm posted:Do I need to give specific examples. I did. I talked about leading a litigation team, organizing document reviews and setting workflow schedules in order to break down a seemingly impossible task into bite sized chunks. Things I did in clinic  . I think I had 5 different scenarios on my PNQ, but 2 of them came from the above litigation, two of them were from the military, and I forget what the last one was. So really I only had to think of 3 different "instances", but because those applied equally well to a couple different questions I was able to reuse them, and highlight a different 13 D each time (that's important -- you don't want to look like you only learned a little bit, or haven't done much).Maybe talk about meeting an impossible partner's expectations, or dealing with incompetent opposing counsel who drops poo poo on you at last minute -- how do you overcome adversity with that? Ever have a client who was just so culturally different you ran into problems? How did you get past it. Start thinking for things like that. Basically broke it down into "I was presented with a problem. This is how I overcame the problem, using this, this, and this from the 13 d's. In the end, we (succeeded|failed but learned a valuable lesson). Leif. fucked around with this message at 19:47 on Oct 30, 2010 |
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Oct 30, 2010 19:44
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Still in a bit of disbelief. Last time around I scored a 147.5. Didn't do too much prep work this time. Just about fell out of my chair when I read the email this week. Somehow I pulled a 181.2! 
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Oct 31, 2010 19:10
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I passed! This was my second time to take the test - my first time was back in university, maybe Junior year, and I didn't expect to pass; I just wanted to see how the test was. I did well on the English Expression (I'm an English teacher in Korea, I'd better do well there!) and General knowledge, but my Biographic Info score was pretty low, only 41.78. That doesn't seem to bode well for the Personal Narrative questions, which appear to be like Biographic Info but more difficult. And even thinking about the Oral Assessment stresses me out.
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Nov 1, 2010 14:07
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HisMajestyBOB posted:I passed! I'm pretty much in the same boat as you--I scored high on English Expression and General knowledge but low on the Biographic Info with only 45.66. I just don't do a lot of talking to the public or management type stuff in my current job, that's going to count against me. Side question to anyone that might know--are the references for the personal narratives supposed to be different for each question or is it OK to use the same person for more than one?
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Nov 1, 2010 14:32
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