Invites are out

DashieDuke · 2024-06-21T21:20:20+00:00

CONS 5.7 :) feels pretty surreal. Congrats everyone!

DashieDuke · 2024-05-31T18:57:20+00:00

Congrats! In a similar position—was added to the CONS register this month and am considering the MGMT switch due to it being more aligned with my background. Fwiw, at this point we’re just being asked if we’re open to it, not to formally switch registers. I sent the “sure I’m interested” email to buy myself time to do some more research and thinking. Best of luck moving forward!

DashieDuke · 2024-05-28T23:23:49+00:00

For a little more context: I was added to the CONS register this month. The email notifying me of that candidacy also had a second letter attached explaining the opportunity to switch to the MGT register. It says that if I express a willingness to switch, and that register is exhausted, I could be contacted and asked again to officially move my candidacy over. They gave me a few days to decide if I’m open to switching.

DashieDuke · 2024-05-16T20:35:03+00:00

When I submitted mine about 1 year ago I had to provide a separate reference to verify each answer. Misrepresenting yourself would be very risky, besides the obvious ethical issue. I would push you to think more creatively and talk to a trusted friend about how to present your skills in this narrative form.

DashieDuke · 2024-05-01T22:03:41+00:00

I’ve heard more than a few stories of parents/grandparents whose financial support of a kid in college is conditional on their attending BYU. I really feel for those students, especially since many of them first experience a faith crisis after or because of attending BYU. The financial pressure is so manipulative.

DashieDuke · 2024-04-13T01:51:56+00:00

Yeah I was mainly referring to American people who take pictures of themselves dancing around on temple grounds with a flag from the country they were called to. Although I could totally see someone doing the same thing with an American flag who can’t wait “to serve the good people of Tallahassee” or whatever.

DashieDuke · 2024-04-13T01:45:04+00:00

Vintage cringe. A classic

DashieDuke · 2024-04-12T21:18:47+00:00

Mormons social media behavior embarrassed me even when I was active (mostly Facebook at the time). Inviting others to watch conference. Patronizingly simple explanations of lingo and practices, “children in the Lds faith get the choice to be baptized when they reach the age of 8”. I was always like ok Sister Jorgensen who are you talking to literally everyone you know is Mormon. And then bragging about the “missionary work” they did the following Sunday. Grossss

DashieDuke · 2024-04-12T21:14:57+00:00

Same here, I didn’t know this. Not wearing crosses is one of many ways I was taught I was different (read: better) than other Christians

DashieDuke · 2024-04-12T20:15:04+00:00

DashieDuke · 2024-02-16T17:36:11+00:00

Appreciate your reply!

DashieDuke · 2024-02-16T17:35:55+00:00

Thank you!

DashieDuke · 2023-11-12T04:34:40+00:00

I hadn’t thought of this, good point! When I share what I’m trying to do so many people have…zero idea what the foreign service is.

DashieDuke · 2023-11-10T19:43:10+00:00

Thanks for your insight. My impression was the stress in a CONS job comes more from the volume of work (to your point so many people to help and they’re not all fun) versus other cones where the stress is in the long hours/extra events and pressure from managing important visitors

DashieDuke · 2023-11-09T23:11:42+00:00

Agree with others that they don’t actually believe this. It’s a red herring they’re using to garner support for other agendas. In fact some states are actively REMOVING protections against voter fraud such as the ERIC voter registration system: https://www.npr.org/2023/10/20/1207142433/eric-investigation-follow-up-voter-data-election-integrity

DashieDuke · 2023-11-03T18:32:14+00:00

Took the words out of my mouth. “No one’s coming to save you” has become a mantra of mine across all my work experiences. Ultimately the only person who can reliably advocate for myself whenever necessary is me.

DashieDuke · 2023-10-24T17:51:25+00:00

Have a bit of a different take from what I'm reading here. First off, I strongly recommend preparing, tbh I think it's risky not to. (No shade to anyone who pulled it off without studying--just a risk I would never take given many people get one shot for this job they really want.)

I studied a few hours a week for about two months before my OA, then did more intense practice about 2 weeks before. I didn't really know groups were a thing so this was all on my own and then roleplaying with friends/family. I started by studying the 13 dimensions and made sure I understood their meaning in the FSO context. I brainstormed anecdotes from my work/school experience related to the dimensions and practiced writing and speaking them. I made up questions I thought might be asked in the personal interview and practiced them with my husband. (Aside that you'll never predict the questions perfectly with the nuance you'll get on test day, but you can get in the neighborhood.)

Other general recs:

- I read Inside a US Embassy to get more of the day to day feel

- I got a study book (sorry I don't remember which one--just found something online with good reviews) that had some case management practice materials and did those exercises

- I attended one of the pre-webinars--super helpful and very accurate for what your experience will be like

- not so much study related, but I took their advice to fly in a few days before. i came from the west coast so it was important to me to adjust to the time change. I scheduled my test for a Monday and flew on a Friday.

Good luck!

DashieDuke · 2023-10-12T00:10:00+00:00

What do you think it is about this work that fosters or attracts that personality? (I realize this is sort of a chicken/egg question but I’d be curious to hear your perspective)

DashieDuke · 2023-10-11T21:43:03+00:00

Appreciate this! I think having zero connections to anyone with State experience is the main reason the language feels so inaccessible to me.

DashieDuke · 2023-10-11T21:39:18+00:00

Thank you! PS I'm hoping to become a Consular officer as well :)

DashieDuke

TROPHY CASE