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TCD posted:Getting rotation timing down is starting to get tricky. As budgets tighten, the ability for people to leave or get to post outside their normal ETD/ETA is getting less flexible. Specifically if the incumbent doesn't want to leave early (you'd have double encombuerance at post), "think of the kids" isn't being approved as much. And the problem can be exacerbated at "nice" posts. Sydney had to institute a "you must leave once your TED arrives" policy due to so many people wanting to stay a couple of extra months. So many people are doing this in Tokyo this year than incoming officers are winding up in temporary quarters far worse and far longer than expected. So everything resolves in September instead of June, like it should.
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Jun 24, 2013 03:51
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Took the FSOT a few weeks back, waiting to hear from them  I really want Egypt as my first post. Anyone know how popular it is?
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Jun 24, 2013 05:08
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Regarding the Consular requirement: I think it is a good one. Consular sections are a beast unto themselves and I think it's essential experience to work within one as opposed to just watching it from the outside. Adjudications have to be done on site, at least for some/many posts, as there is so much information you can get from seeing someone face to face, not to mention the whole "can I see such-and-such documentation" aspect of an interview. I could be wrong but the consular requirement isn't in place because we don't have enough consular officers; it's because it's good experience for doing FS work. The requirement may have started as a manpower issue but I think it remains because its recognized as valuable training. If it was a pure manpower issue, Consular Affairs surely could get more officers hired since CA is fully self-funding. If nothing else they could raise visa rates. And it makes for a good filter to keep out people who only pay lip service to the concept of being a generalist officer. If people are staying away because they don't want to do consular work, good for them, that's not the kind of officer the FS needs. I know that it isn't enjoyable for many and there are plenty of egos that feel working in a consular section is a waste of their skills and talents, but those people disappoint me. We are Congrats on Macedonia. I don't know much about it but I'm positive you're going to love it. RedCrown, as for Egypt, first and foremost it will depend on whether or not Egypt is even on your bid list (assuming you make it through the QEP, FSOA, Clearances, and the register  ). Then it will be a matter of the makeup of your class as to its popularity. The advice of "Hope for the best, Prepare for the Worst, Expect something in between" applies here. Imagine first which country you most do NOT want to go to and then contemplate actually getting assigned there in a position you don't want. Hopefully you're still excited about the job! Egypt will always be there, even if not for your first post.  The timing of a first assignment is much harder to massage, I think. Keep in mind that as employees, we have to be "working" every single day that we aren't taking leave, so basically you have to be either at post or in training every day, always. There is a little flexibility with training as you might be able to take an extra class here or there but from what I've seen, come Flag Day, you'll know your schedule and its pretty inflexible. When you are leaving post there can be a bit more flexibility because you can negotiate departure/arrival/training *a bit*. Depending on the post, you might qualify for VSMA (Voluntary Seperate Maintenance Allowance) which provides additional money to support a family who is not living at post. You wouldn't qualify for VSMA if you get sent to a developed country but we did for Nigeria. I don't know if logistically its feasible for the family (do they have a place to stay, is family willing to be separate, etc) but its something to at least be aware of that would help offset the costs of your family joining you at post later on.
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Jun 24, 2013 08:19
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Nutrimentia posted:Regarding the Consular requirement: I think it is a good one. Consular sections are a beast unto themselves and I think it's essential experience to work within one as opposed to just watching it from the outside. Adjudications have to be done on site, at least for some/many posts, as there is so much information you can get from seeing someone face to face, not to mention the whole "can I see such-and-such documentation" aspect of an interview. It's actually an issue with not having enough entry level consular officers. Also, in managing what to do with all the people in other cones, where the largest number of jobs is at the mid-levels. Hiring is dictated by projected retirements/separations/etc., while considering the flow of people up the pyramid (the "cone," where there are fewer jobs at the top than the bottom). If every officer started working in cone from the beginning, you would have much larger (more bottom-heavy) pol, econ, mgmt and pd sections overseas. But consular sections would be hopelessly understaffed. With the rapid growth yoy in visa demand, this is one reason why CA is having to do the consular associates program. Since there are only so many mid-level jobs for new hires to move into, one solution, once you've hired all the generalists you can accommodate, career wise, is to use limited non-career appointments for people to work entry-level consular jobs without throwing off the personnel system. The problem with entry-level consular work is that is just isn't very intellectually stimulating fare. After 3,000-5,000 cases, it just doesn't take much thought for a typically bright officer to adjudicate 98% of the day's visa cases. The other 2% might be interesting or even just different, but those are bad odds any way you play them. I agree it's good for new officers to get experience with the Department, but on the whole, consular work is probably not the best way to go about it. Other highly capable diplomatic corps have new hires work several years at the foreign ministry to learn the ropes, thus going out to post better equipped than most of our first-time reporting officers. We could do the same if it weren't for the sheer number of EL consular vacancies. In fairness, most people join the FS to work and live overseas, and within those parameters, the current system is probably the best that can be done. But don't think that consular work is indispensable in getting new employees off to a good start. It is a poor use of resources to take a new management-track officer with decades of experience, for example, running banks, (or, just as likely today, leading troops) and put them on a visa line somewhere. Better to get them into a management position, even in Washington, so that the Department can get an immediate return on their hard-won experience. Same for a new political-track officer with years of experience as a journalist. Yes, they will still get a few years of exposure to the Department filtered through a visa window, but almost everybody loses at the end of the day. Consider the officers who never do a consular tour. I know of a handful who managed to skip consular work altogether, mostly by happening to get a staff aide job for a first tour (or as the first part of a rotation), then impressing the ambassador or DCM, who then kept them in the front office and made sure their follow-on tours were spent doing the things they wanted to, usually in their preferred locations. To a person, none of these officers has suffered career setbacks by missing out on a consular tour. Instead, all have advanced beyond their peers, having early on made important contacts in their career track and encumbering more career-enhancing jobs years before their classmates. I really don't want to make it sound like people shouldn't become consular officers or want to do consular work. Plenty of folks enjoy it. But there is also nothing wrong with disliking that work, and one's enthusiasm for doing consular work shouldn't ever be a litmus test of a "good officer." I remember a more experienced officer remarking to me during my first (consular) tour, "Just remember, it's the worst work in the department. But it ends, and then you get to do what you joined to do, and this job gets infinitely better." He was right.
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Jun 24, 2013 11:04
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That's a good way of putting it. I didn't mean to say that I thought it was necessary, just that it wasn't necessarily wasted. My experience might be different too since it wasn't a mindless grind through an applicant pool that is almost visa-waiver eligible. My complaint about those that whine so much about the consular obligation is that its just so counterproductive. Yes, we recognize that it isn't the most efficient use of resources. Yes, I know you're a special snowflake that apparently doesn't realize that many of the rest of us would prefer other work but we do the consular tour to the best of our efforts if for no other reason than it's what the job is and we just don't make as much noise about it. A lot can be learned about a country (I think rotations are better, just do a year of consular) and there's close LES coordination. Given the choice I'd probably vote for an option that had everyone do a rotational assignment for the first tour and maybe make the first tour 2.5 years long (18 months in the non-consular job). I hope that everyone who doens't want to do consular work at least can find it within themselves to make the best of the situation without ruining everyone else's tour with their incessant complaints. And I still think that the distaste for it does serve as a good litmus test: If you can't bring yourself to suck it up for a consular tour, there's plenty of other crap associated with this job that acn push you beyond your limits and turns people into crappy colleagues.
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Jun 24, 2013 12:06
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Business of Ferrets posted:And the problem can be exacerbated at "nice" posts. Sydney had to institute a "you must leave once your TED arrives" policy due to so many people wanting to stay a couple of extra months. So many people are doing this in Tokyo this year than incoming officers are winding up in temporary quarters far worse and far longer than expected. So everything resolves in September instead of June, like it should. There's also the opposite side of the coin of people trying to short shitholes by a few months .Anyways, from what I've seen, getting tours to line up with the school season is mostly accommodated, but sometimes it isn't. Changing tours by factors of months (like a dec -> jun extension) is even more of a mix bag.
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Jun 24, 2013 14:48
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TCD posted:There's also the opposite side of the coin of people trying to short shitholes by a few months Thanks for the input guys! We know that to start our oldest may be starting mid-school year (unless we get assigned someplace that is on the southern school schedule). At some point in our career we'd like to line it up so we can switch posts during the summer months, it may just be a few tours in before we can do that.
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Jun 24, 2013 15:15
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SCRwM posted:Thanks for the input guys! We know that to start our oldest may be starting mid-school year (unless we get assigned someplace that is on the southern school schedule). At some point in our career we'd like to line it up so we can switch posts during the summer months, it may just be a few tours in before we can do that. It also goes back to managing expectations. If you expect that you won't have your extension/curtailment accommodated, then you won't be disappointed.
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Jun 24, 2013 15:26
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SCRwM posted:Bidding question: During Specialist Orientation when the bid list comes out, does it also tell you (or does you CDO tell you) when you would be departing the mothership for post? Ex: if I am scheduled (as of now) to be in training until mid-December, will the list say "first day at post will be X"? FYI, I recently tried Bid-Season switching with the EL CDO. (the answer was No). Don't expect much love from them. You can do it on your own after you receive your second assignment. When the bid list comes out it will just list countries. Your TMONE, which is received after you get your bid list/assignment, will indicate your approximate arrival at post. Everyone's situation is different, but the CDO will work with you on when to arrive at post. If you have something major (i.e. birth of a child or surgery or something) that prevents you from getting to post when post wants you, they will usually delay your arrival until the earliest possible opportunity that you can fly out. Otherwise like TCD said, manage expectations.
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Jun 25, 2013 01:08
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Business of Ferrets posted:Instead, all have advanced beyond their peers, having early on made important contacts in their career track and encumbering more career-enhancing jobs years before their classmates. Just want to emphasize that networking is one of the core parts of the job in addition to whatever is core in your cone or specialty. You won't be required to socialize "every day" but inter-office interaction and "being there" (showing up at events) every now and is important
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Jun 25, 2013 01:27
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^ Isn't that true for every job? It surprises me to think that DS would have issues with people being antisocial. Actual question time-- Would having volunteered/worked for a foreign political party (not one that's anti-USA mind you) reflect negatively at any point in the application process? What about writing for a foreign newspaper?
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Jun 25, 2013 01:49
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hitension posted:^ Isn't that true for every job? It surprises me to think that DS would have issues with people being antisocial. Skan is an IT dude. We're a different bunch. Anyways as to your other question, I have no idea and good luck with that.
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Jun 25, 2013 02:06
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I got my email from State today... ...made it out of Specialist QEP this time! Now it's time to get weeded out in OAs to be scheduled "in the next few weeks"! 
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Jun 25, 2013 02:18
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hitension posted:^ Isn't that true for every job? It surprises me to think that DS would have issues with people being antisocial. It is good advice for just about every job, but it's way more prevalent at State. It's one degree (or less) of seperation. Your reputation will be well ahead of you, even in places you haven't been posted to yet, or even amongst people in different government branches. AgentSythe: Congrats on making it out of your Specialist QEP! You'll nail the OA :P
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Jun 25, 2013 04:45
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Skandiaavity posted:FYI, I recently tried Bid-Season switching with the EL CDO. (the answer was No). Don't expect much love from them. You can do it on your own after you receive your second assignment. Even then, even though they usaully aren't your CDO anymore they still have say-so on what happens to the position. Don't expect any extensions or curtailments on your first two posts. Especially if it puts you in a different bidding season. AKA Pseudonym fucked around with this message at 15:56 on Jun 25, 2013 |
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Jun 25, 2013 07:08
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AgentSythe posted:I got my email from State today... Congrats! Your first OA?
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Jun 25, 2013 07:40
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AgentSythe posted:I got my email from State today... If it is treated like the Generalist QEP, the mere fact that you made it to the OA is an indication that someone thinks you are capable of passing the OA.
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Jun 25, 2013 07:42
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Agreed, everyone who gets invited to the OA is someone that State wants to hire. The OA is an opportunity to confirm that for them. I don't know how specialist OAs differ from Generalist but my advice is read the provided information so you know what to expect, get a good night's sleep, and enjoy yourself. If there is timed exercises maybe practice a little bit (we had to read a bunch of material and write a 2 page memo in 90 minutes, for example) but don't stress on it. You've got the skills and aptitude for the job. Relax and enjoy yourself, let them see you for who you really are.
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Jun 25, 2013 09:31
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Skandiaavity posted:FYI, I recently tried Bid-Season switching with the EL CDO. (the answer was No). Don't expect much love from them. You can do it on your own after you receive your second assignment. Again, thanks guys! It was more of a general question and we (wife and I) fully expect we will be arriving at post(s) possibly mid-school year. If we get lucky and arrive at the beginning of the school year (at least for the first few tours) then we lucked out. If we don't then we are fine with that as well and will make it work.
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Jun 25, 2013 12:42
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In other news: pack out commences tomorrow!
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Jun 25, 2013 12:44
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Me too!
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Jun 25, 2013 15:10
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Next IMS vacancy opens June 27th. There seems to be voracious appetite for these positions. I hope they're taking all the budget uncertainties and slower staffing into account (the 2:1 attrition replacement rumor) when loading the registrar....else we're gonna have a ton of people and no positions to hire them into.
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Jun 25, 2013 16:01
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SCRwM posted:In other news: pack out commences tomorrow! Mine is next week. I'm still waiting for travel orders, but have been assured they were submitted to budget Friday afternoon. Edit: When I checked on the orders last Friday, I was told that I was not on the roster for the July 15 A-100. After some frantic calls and emails, they were able to confirm that I am, indeed, starting on July 15, and got my orders submitted to budget. Considering that I have sold my house and closed my law practice, I was just a tiny bit nervous. d1rtbag fucked around with this message at 18:04 on Jun 25, 2013 |
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Jun 25, 2013 17:57
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d1rtbag posted:Mine is next week. I'm still waiting for travel orders, but have been assured they were submitted to budget Friday afternoon.  Glad things are back on track.
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Jun 25, 2013 18:42
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BoF i know the guy who has the ambassador staff aide job at the Embassy where I work and I wondered if taking one of those jobs could be a career enhancing move. It seems like a lot of organizing, especially now with the July 4th party coming up but I guess having an ambassador as a reference can't hurt. Our ambassador is a political appointment so I assume he has lots of great connections. I'm nervously awaiting the results of the FSOT but ai was just wondering if someone like me, without extensive management experience, has a snowball's chance of making it through the QEP. I have plenty of colorful stories though having lived and worked in several different foreign countries. Also, is it ok to use stories from one's personal life to answer QEP questions?
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Jun 25, 2013 19:45
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problematique posted:the 2:1 attrition replacement rumor I took the FSOT at the embassy in Japan 2 weeks ago and the head of HR came in before the test to answer any questions we had, and he straight up said they're only hiring at 50%. I really hope that changes soon.
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Jun 26, 2013 00:31
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SCRwM posted:Again, thanks guys! It was more of a general question and we (wife and I) fully expect we will be arriving at post(s) possibly mid-school year. If we get lucky and arrive at the beginning of the school year (at least for the first few tours) then we lucked out. If we don't then we are fine with that as well and will make it work. check with the international school. Some are very accommodating and understanding as well. if it's a month, your kid isn't missing THAT much and you can homeschool them in the interim to keep them updated.
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Jun 26, 2013 01:42
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Obelisk posted:BoF i know the guy who has the ambassador staff aide job at the Embassy where I work and I wondered if taking one of those jobs could be a career enhancing move. It seems like a lot of organizing, especially now with the July 4th party coming up but I guess having an ambassador as a reference can't hurt. Our ambassador is a political appointment so I assume he has lots of great connections. They will tell you in the A-100.. if you can get the ambassador's aide job and "don't mind losing six months of your life" (joke), take it. The references will be well worth it for yourself and your career. Regardless if they are an internal or external appointment.
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Jun 26, 2013 01:45
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Nutrimentia posted:The advice of "Hope for the best, Prepare for the Worst, Expect something in between" applies here.
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Jun 26, 2013 02:42
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Ofaloaf posted:What (and where) exactly is a "Worst" posting? I was contemplating/fantasizing bidding for a post in southern Africa, the Balkans or the Caucasus, myself, if I got through the whole process. Depends. Those spots you listed while on the challenging list, are probably not on my worst posting list. In fact, a lot of people I know really like southern Africa.
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Jun 26, 2013 04:05
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Ofaloaf posted:What (and where) exactly is a "Worst" posting? I was contemplating/fantasizing bidding for a post in southern Africa, the Balkans or the Caucasus, myself, if I got through the whole process. I would recommend reading the OIG report on Luxembourg. http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/156129.pdf The worst place can be ANYWHERE. The wrong people can utterly ruin a place. Bad management or a bad front office, or both, can destroy morale at any post in the world. It's all about the people you work with.
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Jun 26, 2013 04:09
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ATI Jesus posted:I would recommend reading the OIG report on Luxembourg. http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/156129.pdf Wow. 
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Jun 26, 2013 06:36
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TCD posted:Depends. Those spots you listed while on the challenging list, are probably not on my worst posting list. In fact, a lot of people I know really like southern Africa. ATI Jesus posted:I would recommend reading the OIG report on Luxembourg. http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/156129.pdf quote:Recommendation 10:  God, that makes for unnerving reading.
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Jun 26, 2013 07:04
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And along that note I know someone who was a staff aide to the ambassador, who had a horrible experience with it. It really is about the people. That said, all other things being equal, and assuming the principal (Ambo, Assistant Secretary, etc.) you are staffing for remains in favor, it can be a very career enhancing move. For a certain kind of career. Yes, it helps to have friends in high places for anyone, but everyone wants different things out of their career. Some people aren't concerned with what is the most prestigious thing -- maybe they just want jobs that are best for their family because they plan to have more kids. Or they are single and want to make  doing back to back tours in Afghanistan or Iraq or Yemen. Or they know early on where they want to be and maybe a staff aide job doesn't contribute to that. So you can't just view it in a vacuum -- it has to be a good job for you.
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Jun 26, 2013 07:50
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Diplomaticus posted:And along that note I know someone who was a staff aide to the ambassador, who had a horrible experience with it. It really is about the people. That said, all other things being equal, and assuming the principal (Ambo, Assistant Secretary, etc.) you are staffing for remains in favor, it can be a very career enhancing move. For a certain kind of career. Yes, it helps to have friends in high places for anyone, but everyone wants different things out of their career. Some people aren't concerned with what is the most prestigious thing -- maybe they just want jobs that are best for their family because they plan to have more kids. Or they are single and want to make True, though it should be noted that all of those things you mentioned become easier if someone on high is looking out for you. e: actually, I guess you said that. But I'm glad I reiterated it in any case.
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Jun 26, 2013 08:27
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Obelisk posted:Wow. Fortunately that ambassador was recalled.
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Jun 26, 2013 08:39
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Skandiaavity posted:check with the international school. Some are very accommodating and understanding as well. if it's a month, your kid isn't missing THAT much and you can homeschool them in the interim to keep them updated. Roger that!
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Jun 26, 2013 13:12
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Okay I'm back again. After getting super discouraged by getting weeded out in the Personal Narrative part last year after I passed the FSOT in October. I'm going to put in a better try this year for my third year in a row. My resume is a lot better, I've been gainfully employed since August (ending my several years of unemployment), I have more experience, and I'm feeling much more positive about my prospects. I do have several months to go before the test comes up, what can I be doing now to make myself a better candidate? I was thinking of taking some foreign language courses and finding more time for volunteerism on the weekends but beyond that I don't really know I am super bad at career stuff.
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Jun 26, 2013 13:59
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100 HOGS AGREE posted:finding more time for volunteerism on the weekends That seems like it could give good real world examples of the 13Ds. Then again, I got dinged in the PNQ so...???
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Jun 26, 2013 14:01
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I'm a working mother with a toddler and a preschooler, a husband who works weekends and no family around. So I have no time for extra activities. I'm hoping that some of my pre-kid stories, years of living and working abroad in several countries, stuff like organizing a mother's group and work things would be enough for the PNQs, but who knows? Not all of us have time to volunteer at the local soup kitchen although I'd love to get my kids involved in volunteerism when they're a bit older. One of my FS colleagues told me that she passed the QEP while she was a stay at home mom with three small children so it can be done.
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Jun 26, 2013 17:54
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