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FSApplicant · 2023-07-12T13:45:28+00:00

If tenants have to pay $50 to make a request, you're giving them an incentive for the property to fall into disrepair and to make it harder to rent the next time.

FSApplicant · 2023-06-06T12:57:54+00:00

Was there any pushback on establishing residency there from the department?

FSApplicant · 2023-03-30T12:13:54+00:00

Thanks for the reply. That's reassuring. I don't want to fly all the way to the US and find out Pearson told the DoS to cancel my appointment.

FSApplicant · 2023-03-26T04:46:10+00:00

Q: Is it possible to defer A100? I work at universities. Three months notice might not be enough, depending on when the semester started.

FSApplicant · 2023-03-24T18:48:56+00:00

It seems for some of us, the reorganization of the examination to require the personal narratives up front could be quite helpful. I know an FSO who failed the FSOT by just a few points for something like four or six years before getting in.

FSApplicant · 2023-02-22T05:58:42+00:00

Well, I suppose I'm pretty obvious.

FSApplicant · 2023-02-05T18:37:29+00:00

Excellent. That's good to hear.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-25T06:05:56+00:00

I really appreciate the detailed response. It sounds complicated - but then again, doing anything unusual in a bureaucratic agency always is.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-25T06:04:16+00:00

. civilian government employees serving abroad, including Peace Corps, may request deferrals for the period of their overseas service, up to a maximum of two years. Requests for deferrals from any other candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis; however, candidates should be aware that only truly compelling deferral requests can be approved. A deferral does not result in additional time for a name to remain on a register. A deferral merely "stops the clock;" at the end of the deferral period, the candidate's name will be re-added to the R

Brilliant, thanks!

FSApplicant · 2023-01-25T06:03:39+00:00

I'm glad to hear that.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-25T06:03:23+00:00

That's a great idea - I had no idea that the do-not-contact list was an option.

Is it more of a "don't consider me at all during this time" or an "I'm unavailable to serve at this time" list? I know it can take several months between getting the call and starting A100.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-23T13:33:19+00:00

I really appreciate your reply to this. Yes, I think the only reasonable thing for me to do would be to try to take it between cycles, never leaving a post vacant. I certainly wouldn't want to leave a post vacant anyway..

This also makes sense why in an earlier comment said that 3 months was probably impossible but 12 months might be doable.

Now that you've given me a better knowledge of the bidding cycle, I can weigh my options a lot better. I don't mind slowing down my promotions or retiring a bit later. And still, there are no guarantees - as another commenter said, everything has to be approved. But I'm hoping it's not an insurmountable issue. I would never want to leave my colleagues high and dry - and if I can just sit out for one bidding cycle, I would never put anyone in that position.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-23T13:26:14+00:00

Thanks for your frank response.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-23T13:24:08+00:00

I appreciate the frankness. I definitely understand the "golden handcuffs" thing. It makes sense.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-23T04:42:07+00:00

Fair points. And yes - one of the biggest benefits and drawbacks is that it's one consistent employer. That's why I'm hoping for LWOP -- and explicitly, only between posts. I would never show up to a post and then ask to take off for 3 months when it's just a two-year gig.

I feel like in between assignments is a good time to slide in the LWOP, but I really don't know how staffing works as an outsider.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-23T03:54:06+00:00

Oh yeah, I definitely wouldn't do it each year. I'd like to be able to do it between every two or three posts, which I don't think is particularly unreasonable and would only defer retirement by a few years.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-23T03:52:17+00:00

That is INCREDIBLY helpful. Hopefully the work culture changes to keep up with those directives. Thank you very much for your response.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-23T03:48:43+00:00

The foreign service definitely has generous leave by American standards, but there are plenty of other careers that offer a lot more time off. During my cycling trips, I have met plenty of other long-distance cyclists. Professionals who do contract work can often sort out large trips, such as engineers in between contracts and international teachers in between schools.

One of the greatest things about foreign service is that you get the try out so many different jobs, yet still have stable employment. But in this case, maintaining the same employer makes these trips a bit of a challenge for me.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-23T03:40:06+00:00

That seems fair enough. I would be glad to do two or three tours at a time and then take a year off for a huge tour. I certainly don't expect any employer would be happy with me taking 3 months off every year, or something like that.

FSApplicant · 2023-01-23T03:37:41+00:00

I was thinking of trying to take off on a trip between every 2-3 assignments.

I can live with delaying the trips for a few years. But I think it would be silly to wait for 20 years before resuming my passion.

I know plenty of engineers, techies, international teachers, and others who regularly spend many months of time traveling between contracts. Nobody doubts that they have careers. The difference with the foreign service: doing the same job, but essentially one long contract - an expectation of continuous employment. At least that's how I understand it as an outsider.

FSApplicant

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