US Foreign Service & FSOT Megathread: Where Dreams Come True & Even Lawyers Get Jobs

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > US Foreign Service & FSOT Megathread: Where Dreams Come True & Even Lawyers Get Jobs

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Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

It has been said that reading The Economist is a good way to keep abreast on current events (which is helpful for the FSO test). How in-depth should I be reading it? They are just packed with so much information it is hard to know what is important.

# ¿ May 12, 2010 20:10

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# ¿ May 12, 2024 05:07

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

SWATJester posted:

Security clearance interview went down today. Took about an hour, asked a lot of questions that I said no to. Learned some new things on my credit report, but nothing major.

The investigator was awesome about trying to knock out as much in one day as possible with my contacts; we met at the law school, so he was able to interview my supervisors and get my transcript, all at once.

I don't know if you can go into detail but what were some of the questions that stuck out in your mind?

# ¿ May 13, 2010 00:45

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Xandu posted:

FSO hiring is sort of separate, but thank god.

I've been applying to Govt jobs and it is a pain in the rear end. It takes forever and half the time the "required" forms aren't available (I have to google them to find them floating out on the internet).
I bet it takes a solid hour or more to fill out each application because if the stupid essays.

In addition, I am a former AmeriCorps volunteer and I get 1 year of noncompetitive hiring preference... but none of the applications have places indicate that I have this noncompetitive bonus (yet there are spaces for peace corps and other federal employees). I have an official letter that states my status but there is no place to upload my document.

# ¿ May 14, 2010 16:49

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

SWATJester posted:

Forwarded msg:

This looks interesting but it sucks that it is only open to students. Actually, I am going to be applying to grad school this fall but you have to be accepted in a grad program (or be a current undergrad or grad student) before they'll allow you to participate in this program. Unfortunately most schools don't give their acceptance decisions until about Feb-April (and the internship starts in Jan/Feb.

I guess I could apply for the summer program but I bet it is more competitive.

EDIT:
There is a FSO security specialist position that just opened up. I think you need a little law enforcement experience though.

# ¿ May 15, 2010 07:11

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Business of Ferrets posted:

I did our office's screening for summer interns this past cycle. Besides meeting the minimum requirements, I would say that a good personal statement is the most important part of the application. Each office can make its own priorities; when we saw how strong the applicant pool was, we decided that foreign language ability was a primary need, but we paid basically no attention to where somebody went to college, etc. We liked to see a pattern of success, but if someone had a good personal statement they went in the "good" pile regardless of language ability or background. When it came down to making our "short list" and ultimately extending an offer to our top two choices, we scrutinized the resumes and made a final decision based on the "whole person."

The work done by an intern varies by office; I think our office was one of the better places to work because we had the interns do essentially the same kind of economic and political reporting work the full-time FSOs did.

Well, I doubt I would even be competitive (BS in business, AmeriCorps, attending Middlebury's Summer Language program this summer). Any advice for the personal statement?

# ¿ May 15, 2010 16:09

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Business of Ferrets posted:

Sometimes, but more like there was just something in their personality that rubbed the assessors the wrong way. In addition to everything else, the testers are also trying to imagine whether they could stand to work with this person.

If you ever get a group of FSOs together, you will be shocked at how we all basically have the same personality.

Yes, that's hyperbole, but just barely.

So what is the personality of the average FSO?

# ¿ May 24, 2010 15:31

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

TCD posted:

Not a goon.

lol. This is exactly what I was thinking but could you expand for us "normal" members of the SA community.

# ¿ May 24, 2010 21:16

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

The Mantis posted:

re: Peronality types

From what I've heard and from the FSOs I know, I would say full-on Type A people who thrive in new environments, are willing to uproot their life every 18-36 mos, and don't mind being shuffled around into positions that may be well above their experience level.

When I think goon I see shut-in nerdlingers who have to be the master of their domain and aren't willing to venture outdoors, much less outside their comfort zones.

....which in many cases happen to be actual zones in MMOs

I happen to be more reserved at first but I get along with everyone and people like me. I am not a shut-in nerdlinger but I'm not a total type A personality either (I probably skew towards a type B). I'll just make sure to be extra extroverted during the interviews (if I ever make it that far).

# ¿ May 25, 2010 17:32

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Miss Fats posted:

Still waiting to hear back from QEP. I'm also looking into overseas NGOs and/or other organizations that I could look into working with. I'm finished with school and getting ready to begin the campaign cycle but I'd really prefer something else. I'm also getting ready to submit my Peace Corps Application. This all leads me to a couple questions:

1) If, somehow, I receive an offer of employment from DOS and an invitation with the Peace Corps, is it possible to "defer" the employment offer until I return from Peace Corps Service? I'm assuming that candidacy terminates after 18 months no matter what but I wasn't sure if there was any sort of special clause for Peace Corps. Obviously if it's not possible, I'd take DOS over PC (and the chance of this scenario playing out is laughably slim anyway) but it'd be nice to do both.

2) Since Peace Corps and State are both "plan B" (unless I get an offer/invitation) I'm also looking for both short and long term employment with aid/development organizations and other NGOs. Basically I'm looking for the best way to get foreign experience and help people without having to pay for it (and preferably get paid for it since I am a broke recent grad).

Plan on a solid 14-18 months from the time you submit your application for the PC until you actually leave. You'll probably get accepted as a FSO before you're accepted to the PC.

# ¿ May 27, 2010 03:34

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

TCD posted:

Almost all the people I know in the FS, usually have some international experience prior to coming onboard. Some specialists can get away with not that much, but most generalists were FS brats, former PC, worked for NGOs, previous .mil, traveled extensively etc or embarking on a second career and much more worldly, even if not traveled.

Good luck

Would 5 months studying abroad (in the UK) and a few weeks vacationing in Europe be considered serious international experience?

# ¿ May 28, 2010 16:04

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Business of Ferrets posted:

I think Econ reached down to about 5.4 for the last class. So there is a substantial gap between that and Pol's 5.7.

Any idea about the other cones?

# ¿ May 30, 2010 19:59

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

SWATJester posted:

Also, crossposting:

I applied for some of these jobs about a month ago and I just got word that I "don't have specialized experience."
I'm not really surprised but it makes me not want to apply for any govt job because the drat application takes forever. At my level of experience I doubt I would qualify for anything. Thanks for the update though.

# ¿ Jun 2, 2010 19:41

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Skandiaavity posted:

Suppose there's a rumor around, the man upstairs and the men in the room across from him are changing federal hiring policy -

- 80 day max period from initial contact (handing in of resume) to determination of hiring or not interested. Many are interpreting this as "offer letter vs rejection letter"
- must accept resume/CV's regardless of Agency.
- no longer can ask about KSA's (knowledge, skill, ability)
- can not do the questionnaires (TELL US WHY...), but will be allowed to ask anything on SF-85's.
- can not be so stringent on requirements (i.e. for IMS-type positions, must be able to do work requested at minimum. No more MA's for C.J. jobs. Lot of HR Folks are nervous about this last one)

Of course, DoS (Foreign - No word on Civil Dept.) and a few others (DOD, NSA, CIA) are/will be exempt from these rules. However USAID, Peace Corps look to fall under the new guidance.

For what it's worth, Obama's pretty pissed at federal across the board... not saying anyone in any agency is 'lazy' or does less work/spaces work out to look more busy, but that kind of behavior (higher turnover of work output) is what he seems to be getting at. Oh, and he's making a hell of an example out of the FAA

I think this overhaul is good because federal applications are pretty unrealistic. I get non-competitive hiring status because I was in the AmeriCorps but of course my resumes never get looked at because of the hiring requirements. Then add the fact that each application takes forever to fill out and it makes me not even want to try.
The AmeriCorps really touts the fact that alumni get this amazing non-competitive status for federal positions but I see now that is really doesn't seem that great after all.

But, on the other hand, there are thousands of people applying for these jobs so it must be a daunting task trying to cull through each application.

# ¿ Jun 4, 2010 17:32

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Kase Im Licht posted:

Huge long shot, but in case someone knows for sure and can get back to me within 30 minutes or so...

Any chance of being able to walk into the testing center at a different time than my scheduled testing time and be able to take the test? I'm supposed to take it tomorrow at 1:30 and have a conflict with something else. I'll do the FSOT over it, but it could potentially cost me a lot of money.

I remember from last year they're a lot more casual on the timing now that they've got us doing it on computers. I got there 15 minutes before my scheduled time and there were already people taking it, and people continued to show up well after the start time and weren't turned away. So if I showed up a few hours before my time...?

Yeah, I don't think this will work. Oh well, paychecks are overrated.

And what if you don't have a clearance? Nothing?

This sucks. I'm easily clearable, I'm willing to go anywhere, I consider 50 hour workweeks light. You'd think someone would be interested, but nope.

Security clearance is so expensive that companies usually don't want to shell out the money to get new employees cleared. It is just easier to find someone who already has it.
I would also like to do something like this but the chances are pretty slim for the regular joe.

# ¿ Jun 8, 2010 15:17

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

I know this is a little off topic but where should us more inexperienced people be looking for international work?

# ¿ Jun 11, 2010 21:28

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Skandiaavity posted:

TCD - I heard (from someone in Rwanda) that Rwanda's internet access was on par with Somalia's - that is warlords owning the telecoms. Probably nowhere as cheap as Somalia's, but Confirm/Deny?

Edit: Pompous Rhombus, holy scheisse! you spent $150 on that? It couldn't have taken him more than ten minutes to type that! I think I know who you're talking about, he was that really wire-thin goon who was twirling a stick in some video, wasn't he? I know I sent you my resume as an example, but feel free to use it as a template... I mean drat. 150?

I'm sure many of us would like an example/template of a good resume. I'm in the process of rewriting mine and I could use all the help I can get.

# ¿ Jun 23, 2010 05:16

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Vilerat posted:

MGMT cone sounds closest to what you do.

http://careers.state.gov/specialist/opportunities/genserv.html

Maybe this?

Or this?

http://careers.state.gov/specialist/opportunities/facmaint.html

Or the security specialist positions might work.

# ¿ Sep 3, 2010 19:31

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Cunninghizzizam posted:

Did anyone else get a Notice of Results email from the Career Entry Program this morning? I'm not sure how to decipher it nor do I know which information on it is personal and which I can share. It said my rating was 91...so I hope that's a good thing.

I got my results too... 97 for both the Foreign Affairs Specialist and the Program Analyst. I pretty much answered yes to everything that could even be remotely true.
I'm still waiting to hear from the Passport Specialist positions.

# ¿ Sep 3, 2010 19:34

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

DownByTheWooter posted:

Edit:
The section of that page concerning professional experience seems to be shouting out loud that they're looking for military veterans for this job.

"All such experience must have been of a progressively responsible nature in the general services specialty. This experience must include three or more of the ten general services areas listed above and must have been gained within the last ten (10) years. Experience working and/or living in a multicultural environment is desirable."

Is the Management Cone a similar fit? The brief description of it on careers.state makes it seem so.

The position opens up from time to time. Just sign up for email alerts.

# ¿ Sep 3, 2010 21:49

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

What is the security clearance process like for FSOs? Do they have to go though the full lifestyle polygraph?

# ¿ Sep 14, 2010 16:37

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

TCD posted:

No, just a SSBI.

so I can continue having sex with animals?

# ¿ Sep 14, 2010 22:26

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Business of Ferrets posted:

State has been trying to hire increased numbers lately, so I think the recruiter is probably pretty accurate. There really aren't all that many FSOs in the world; probably about 6,000-7,000 if not fewer. And that is to man every post, worldwide, plus about 1/3 of us in DC at any one time. So an increase in numbers would probably be a good thing.

And yeah, the opportunities for FSOs are phenomenal. Off the top of my head, some interesting gigs include:

a year at Princeton to earn an MPA

working with the UN in the Sinai

assignment to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier -- including deployments

Iran-watcher in London

one-year detail to the Japanese foreign ministry

Russia-watcher in Brussels

work on a congressional staff

teach at West Point (or at another of the service academies)

attend one of the war colleges or command and staff colleges

Diplomat in Residence (DIR) at a university

detail to the British or Australian government

work at the National Security Council

detail to NATO

fellowship at the Council on Foreign Relations

study at the Ecole Nationale d'Administration in France

work in industry for a year

Foreign Policy Advisor (POLAD) to a major military command

Trade Negotiator at USTR

teach at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (a.k.a. School of the Americas! )

work at U.S. Mission to the UN (in New York, Rome, Geneva, etc.)

Surely, these are all competitive, but realistic nonetheless for interested FSOs. And that doesn't even include the "normal" jobs all over the world, or full-time language study, etc. This variety is one of the huge benefits of a Foreign Service career.

So will the government pick up the bill for FSOs who want to get a masters degree? or did I read this wrong?

EDIT: Is a MA worth anything if you're already an FSO?

# ¿ Sep 23, 2010 16:23

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

how about this wikileaks mess?

# ¿ Nov 29, 2010 00:49

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

khysanth posted:

So the pay freeze...

No pay for two years or just no raises, etc.? What are the details surrounding this?

they wouldn't freeze salaries, there just won't be raises. This is just a way to save some money.

# ¿ Nov 30, 2010 01:20

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

OSheaman posted:

So how many career Foreign Service people make it all the way to ambassadorship? I'm curious about the percentage of FS people who eventually make ambassador as well as the percentage of ambassadors from the diplomatic corps machine as opposed to ambassadors who got their post through other methods, such as previous high-profile political positions or being a big-time donor.

I think I saw that 60% of ambassadors come from the foreign service (the rest are appointed by the president or whoever). I also assume you have to be in the service for a good 20 years before you're appointed an ambassador so I bet the number is fairly small.

# ¿ Dec 2, 2010 06:14

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

I submitted my application for the FSOT on Monday but still haven't gotten an email about a testing location. Is this normal?

# ¿ Jan 20, 2011 03:57

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

So the testing center in my city is full and the nearest city is like 4 hours away. Normally I would just take the day off work but I don't have any time off (new job). I might just wait until the next round. It is a little annoying but whatever.

# ¿ Jan 23, 2011 16:12

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# ¿ May 12, 2024 05:07

Omits-Bagels: Feb 13, 2001

Skandiaavity posted:

whoa whoa, the pouch has a limited capacity.. and uh,...don't try to hide it in peanut butter is all I can say..

also if it hasn't been said yet: Don't be an rear end in a top hat. Don't be "that guy" (or girl).

All these comments about not being an rear end in a top hat leads me to believe the foreign service is full of assholes.

# ¿ Aug 7, 2012 10:06

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > US Foreign Service & FSOT Megathread: Where Dreams Come True & Even Lawyers Get Jobs

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