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FYI for IMS - the teachers really aren't kidding when they say "you may come in on a weekend to paint." ...Currently, I am painting the IPC. Just has to be done. Additional duties 
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Jul 6, 2013 04:21
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Skandiaavity posted:FYI for IMS - the teachers really aren't kidding when they say "you may come in on a weekend to paint." ...Currently, I am painting the IPC. Just has to be done. What color?
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Jul 6, 2013 23:06
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IPthe_chavi posted:What color? IPC color schema are classified.
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Jul 6, 2013 23:49
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Scipio posted:I understand, and sorry for the attempted threadjack. The denial was a 214b, so I guess we're stuck for awhile. I'm just still in shock over the denial, probably just because my wife and I had such an easy time when we went through our K-1 visa. Sorry for the attempted threadjack, but this is the only thread he's responded to in almost two years, Paging Scipio to the Spaceflight megathread, you are in charge of the goon World Community Grid group and appear to be AFK, would you mind handing over the keys? There are still 53 active members, still ranked in the top 600. http://boincstats.com/en/stats/-1/team/detail/109997 (USER WAS PUT ON PROBATION FOR THIS POST)
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Jul 7, 2013 03:00
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I wanted to say thanks to everyone who's been providing insight and guidance here. I only just now got an account, but I've been reading through the forum since early last year, when I realized it was past time I changed up my job and decided to register for the FSOT. (Up till my current job, I've been able to move somewhere entirely new every couple-few years, sometimes getting to intensively use a different language, and both my feet and my brain were starting to feel awfully metaphorically itchy without that.) Your posts helped a lot as I was going through the application process. In terms of my progress, I've been sitting on the POL register with a 5.7 since February of this year. I went ahead and started a second candidacy, too, since I was getting antsy about so many A-100s passing me by. Just found out I passed the FSOT again, so I'll see what happens in QEP.
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Jul 7, 2013 04:46
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the_chavi posted:What color? it depends. We're still debating drawing a mural or not.. We're just waiting for .. more paint.
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Jul 8, 2013 01:09
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For all you courier hopefuls,Department Of State posted:FOREIGN SERVICE DIPLOMATIC COURIER VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT These opportunities rarely show up (usually when one retires, and even then..) best of luck if you are considering applying!
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Jul 8, 2013 09:06
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Skandiaavity posted:For all you courier hopefuls, I might apply for this. It'd at least be something I can do while waiting for DS to open up. And a courier gig doesn't sound half bad for me right now, even if I basically have zero realistic chance of getting an invitation.
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Jul 8, 2013 09:35
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Please tell me how poor of an idea it is to use a gaming experience in my PNQ answers. Right now I'm leaning towards using a less relevant situation for the communication skills question, but I would feel more comfortable with the gaming one.
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Jul 8, 2013 18:11
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Stolennosferatu posted:Please tell me how poor of an idea it is to use a gaming experience in my PNQ answers. Right now I'm leaning towards using a less relevant situation for the communication skills question, but I would feel more comfortable with the gaming one. My instinct is that this is a bad idea, but I have no first hand examples to back that up.
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Jul 8, 2013 19:43
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Bruxism posted:My instinct is that this is a bad idea, but I have no first hand examples to back that up. Unless you're an IMS. I talked WoW after my interview. Oh and the best part was the the guy was like, "would you know lawyer so and so in Alaska?" Yeah he was my coach in Mock Trial. Oh, we're good friends from college and still see each other every few years when I'm on Home Leave. Small world dudes. TCD fucked around with this message at 20:57 on Jul 8, 2013 |
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Jul 8, 2013 20:53
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I think that you would really, really be rolling the dice, and that those dice are not weighted in your favor. You may get someone who understands gaming and/or values that kind of alternative leadership and social interaction, but I think that it's way more likely that your reviewer won't value or be able to relate to that experience at all. I'm no expert, though.
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Jul 8, 2013 22:41
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The QEP panel is probably not going to understand it.
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Jul 9, 2013 01:15
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I would never, ever in a million years risk putting anything internet or videogame related for a federal job. Or anything that didn't involve maybe making video games or applying as a community manager for something.
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Jul 9, 2013 01:23
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I've kept my less mainstream hobbies on the down-low since I started law school in 1997. For some reason, judges aren't impressed by the exploits of my Black Templars or the paint scheme I chose for my Tyranid army . . .
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Jul 9, 2013 02:43
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It depends on how charismatic you are. You have to be able to relate that in a way - like teleworking - how that has a real world impact. That's the hard part. Could you relate the situation in a way to someone who's never even seen/heard the video game before? If it's one of those "you had to be there" kind of things, well, count it out. You'd need a pretty concise example. for example if you were communicating in multiple languages (some MMO offer that); that can be a useful one. you try to use in-game gestures to communicate effectively. (there's a flip side to that though). You'll probably also have to state you're aware it's "not the same" (gaming/reality), but rather emphasize an underlying point (in the example, you try to find alternate communication methods). edit: all said and done i would use something else. Gaming, like the Internet, is hard to relate to without some kind of lengthy backstory or familiarity; given the anonymity factor and how people behave. Skandiaavity fucked around with this message at 03:26 on Jul 9, 2013 |
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Jul 9, 2013 03:15
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So, what if my example doesn't strictly relate to the game - like running a major community event/tournament, and I simply describe the effort needed to get all the people and things in place to run a successful event. Still too much video game, or would that make it to being relevant to the panel, since it isn't specifically about the game?
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Jul 9, 2013 03:54
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Saturnine Aberrance posted:So, what if my example doesn't strictly relate to the game - like running a major community event/tournament, and I simply describe the effort needed to get all the people and things in place to run a successful event. Still too much video game, or would that make it to being relevant to the panel, since it isn't specifically about the game? You're going to have to describe the event. If I were to say "I'm responsible for bringing a variety of people from different backgrounds together to accomplish a combined goal" - While it sounds great, it lacks context. I could be talking about a WoW raid, a church funded potluck or a KKK rally. Because the rest of that statement is supposed to be "As [job/position] I'm responsible blah blah blah". It's best to leave the internet/gaming out of it. After the process is done like TCD said is one thing, using them in your PNQ/OA/BEX statements is another.
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Jul 9, 2013 04:48
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Saturnine Aberrance posted:So, what if my example doesn't strictly relate to the game - like running a major community event/tournament, and I simply describe the effort needed to get all the people and things in place to run a successful event. Still too much video game, or would that make it to being relevant to the panel, since it isn't specifically about the game? Yes. If you run the show, explaining the process, effort, your role in it etc. I found the event itself is a more subtle point. The QEP likely won't understand the "tournament/gaming" aspect of it but they can easily understand the event planning, effort, communications barriers, etc - the more business-like areas. So if you're set on it, the 'gaming/e-Sports' aspect should be no more than a passing description. You want to focus on the other end of things, the fundraising/money, # of attendees, communication methods (i.e. social media, advertising, etc) If I can be direct, a business trick I learned was "so what?" Like Vasudus said, any kind of interview, written or oral, usually wants to hear your statements backed up. You ran a tournament.. so what? There are thousands of tournaments.. what makes yours special/relevant to the QEP? What happened? More importantly, how would it tie into the 13 Dimensions? They're going to expect either specific examples or rough spots/failures and how you overcame them/valuable lessons learned. Note that also applies to the physical sports as well. writing about how you were state champions at Polk High isn't going to do you much.
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Jul 9, 2013 05:54
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I don't think there is anything inherently bad about using a gaming experience. It really depends on the experience and how you write it up. The QEP response should be about you and what you did; everything else is just context. I would think that you could explain what it took to run the guild or organize an event. If its a good experience and example, don't shy away just because isn't mainstream. I'd look at it for you if you wanted. Keep in mind a Problem, Action, Result format. What was the issue or challenge, what did you do, and what happened as a result?
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Jul 9, 2013 19:14
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Nutrimentia posted:I don't think there is anything inherently bad about using a gaming experience. It really depends on the experience and how you write it up. The QEP response should be about you and what you did; everything else is just context. I would think that you could explain what it took to run the guild or organize an event. If its a good experience and example, don't shy away just because isn't mainstream. I'd look at it for you if you wanted. And don't get lost in the weeds. Example. Director/diplomat in Eve convinces another major alliance in Eve to join forces and force CCP to implement a change on Titans. This would mean nothing to anybody. However, this might be an okay starting point. As the organize of a social network with 5000 members I convinced another network of approximately 4000 people to join my cause and lobby the game designer to implement my suggestions for the betterment of the entire social community which numbers almost 50,000 people. After these improvements, the company has continued to attract subscribers and further develop the social interaction and coordination with the entire community. The company now has 57,000 subcribers, a 7,000 increase that mostly due to my ideas and efforts. Still, tread very carefully with video game stuff.
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Jul 9, 2013 20:14
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We are confirmed for Oakwood Rosslyn, so I was wondering about using the DoS shuttle our first day (going to Main State). Our packet says that our travel orders *should* be good enough to get us on without a badge, but does anyone else have experience with that?
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Jul 10, 2013 14:33
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d1rtbag posted:We are confirmed for Oakwood Rosslyn, so I was wondering about using the DoS shuttle our first day (going to Main State). Our packet says that our travel orders *should* be good enough to get us on without a badge, but does anyone else have experience with that? Don't stress about it too much.
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Jul 10, 2013 15:48
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d1rtbag posted:We are confirmed for Oakwood Rosslyn, so I was wondering about using the DoS shuttle our first day (going to Main State). Our packet says that our travel orders *should* be good enough to get us on without a badge, but does anyone else have experience with that? Welcome to Rosslyn  Your travel orders and a photo-ID will be enough to get you on. In the morning, the Oakwood/Ruby Tuesday shuttles are almost all bound for FSI. Make sure you look at the sign on the side as it pulls up. The bottom of it has final the destination (it'll read FSI - > Rosslyn - > Main State/HST), so make sure you pick the right one. If you miss that one, there's another across the street from SA-15 that heads to HST on a more infrequent basis.
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Jul 10, 2013 16:54
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And you can always ask the driver if you don't see the destination sign.
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Jul 10, 2013 17:12
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d1rtbag posted:We are confirmed for Oakwood Rosslyn, so I was wondering about using the DoS shuttle our first day (going to Main State). Our packet says that our travel orders *should* be good enough to get us on without a badge, but does anyone else have experience with that? I think I may be in the same location as you (my address says "Arlington" but looking at the Oakwoods site I think we are in the same place).
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Jul 10, 2013 19:41
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Applied to the Diplomatic Courier position because why the hell not. Though since the requirements are so low I can't fathom how many people are going to apply. Going to be some serious hiring agent hunger games going on to see who gets a BEX invite for that one.
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Jul 10, 2013 20:52
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d1rtbag posted:We are confirmed for Oakwood Rosslyn, so I was wondering about using the DoS shuttle our first day (going to Main State). Our packet says that our travel orders *should* be good enough to get us on without a badge, but does anyone else have experience with that? You are going to need a taxi the first day at Main State. This will only really apply that first day. They want your there earlier than the shuttle can guarantee. You will want to book a taxi by phone or online the night before as flagging in the morning is tricky. Red Top taxi has been pretty reliable. You can PM me for other Rosslyn specifics. My wife is the FSO we have been here since May and she would be happy to answer any questions you might have also.
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Jul 11, 2013 01:24
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SCRwM posted:I think I may be in the same location as you (my address says "Arlington" but looking at the Oakwoods site I think we are in the same place). Yep -- it's officially Oakwood Arlington, but it seems like everyone calls it "Rosslyn". Are you planning to go to the Sunday evening happy hour at the Rock Bottom Brewery? My wife and I will be there. If you want to get in touch with me, my email is dan[dot]hoffman[at]post[dot]com.
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Jul 11, 2013 03:00
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You will need to take a taxi or metro (and run) to make the first day. They want you there pretty early and HR is a little prompt about it. If you take the shuttle you will be assuredly late as it stops by FSI first. Network when you get in, maybe someone has a car or doesnt mind splitting a taxi. It should be no more than $10-15 from Rosslyn to Main State. Keep in mind this is only the first, maybe the second, day. Make sure the Oakwood (Arlington) isn't the one in Court House... there are 3 or 4 of them along Wilson Blvd. If I am remembering right the "Rosslyn" one is by downtown/the building with the huge TV screen. Just a reminder that from that Day 1, your corridor reputation officially begins. Also, start networking. 
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Jul 11, 2013 07:01
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I'm working on my PNs and since I'm a LES at an Embassy already, a couple of the examples I have involve dealing with State bureaucracy and FSOs or FSSs not doing their jobs or putting up unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. Of course I would not criticize the State Dept in my PNs but these were examples in which the FSO did not do his job and I had to find a way around that to get my job done. I'm thinking that these examples might brand me a trouble maker if I use them. But they are great examples. What do you all think?
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Jul 11, 2013 12:21
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d1rtbag posted:Yep -- it's officially Oakwood Arlington, but it seems like everyone calls it "Rosslyn". Are you planning to go to the Sunday evening happy hour at the Rock Bottom Brewery? My wife and I will be there. Arlington is a county and is not descriptive as an actual way to find something, so people will generally be more descriptive and name the neighborhood/metro stop, like Rosslyn or Clarendon. I would just take a cab. The main state building is about a half mile from the metro. It's not a hard walk at all, but its loving hot even in the morning and I wouldn't want to be sweaty in a suit on my first day.
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Jul 11, 2013 12:49
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d1rtbag posted:Yep -- it's officially Oakwood Arlington, but it seems like everyone calls it "Rosslyn". Are you planning to go to the Sunday evening happy hour at the Rock Bottom Brewery? My wife and I will be there. Yeah we're planning on going to it. Dropping you a note now.
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Jul 11, 2013 12:59
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Thanks everyone for the advice. I decided not to use the example (for the interpersonal question, I was going to talk about how I convinced a friend to take a certain course of action in a game) since it would've taken a long back story. Without the gaming back story it's just a really vague instance of me convincing someone. Mostly though, it was the overwhelmingly negative response that made me reconsider. Thanks SA!
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Jul 11, 2013 17:06
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Giodo! posted:Arlington is a county and is not descriptive as an actual way to find something, so people will generally be more descriptive and name the neighborhood/metro stop, like Rosslyn or Clarendon. Yeah, I was going to suggest walking from the metro, but then I remembered what month it is in DC. Cab it.
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Jul 11, 2013 17:17
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SCRwM posted:Yeah we're planning on going to it. Dropping you a note now. Gave dirtbag my ## and have no problem with passing that on to you. Just flew back from California today. They do the on board safety briefing as they drive you by the Asiana wreck and tell you to pay attention. Also I took the taxi back from Dulles today. I don't know if anyone is flying in from there but it was $52 to my door in Rosslyn +tip. The meter read about $42 as we passed the Falls Church exit. The guy didn't charge me for the kids but each added adult adds $1.50.
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Jul 11, 2013 20:41
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That's a bit on the high side for just going to Rosslyn, but within reasonable depending on your traffic. It used to cost me around 60-65 from Alexandria.
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Jul 11, 2013 21:01
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And that's why I prefer to use Reagan.
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Jul 11, 2013 21:31
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Strudelmeyer posted:Gave dirtbag my ## and have no problem with passing that on to you. There is one other guy on here who is staying near the Rosslyn Oakwoods so there may be 4 of us to split a cab and roll in to Main State on Monday.
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Jul 11, 2013 21:44
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I could never pay that much, unless it was like four people or I was expensing it. The 5A bus goes directly from Dulles airport to Rosslyn Metro every half hour for like $6...
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Jul 11, 2013 21:55
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