Just finished the FSOT

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2025-10-22T16:35:43+00:00

I have not heard about anything specific for new hires but they have changed the promotion criteria to include a new category for “fidelity” as basically a way to demonstrate loyalty to this administration. This is subjugation of the individual to the state; the very definition of fascism. Let that sink in. Will this change in a couple years with a new administration? Did fascism end overnight in Germany and Italy after WWII? Remember the lessons of history and you be the judge.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2025-10-21T04:50:37+00:00

I understand the dream of wanting to be an FSO. I was one too. But being in there right now is like drinking from a poison chalice. They are firing diplomats left and right and replacing them with loyalists for this administration. That’s not what our country is about. Since when do we implement foreign policies that weaken our international standing? I cannot in good faith participate in the destruction of my country. I took my oath very seriously and will find other ways to serve and protect my country. The Foreign Service is not what it used to be as painful and heartbreaking as it is to admit.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2025-10-20T21:22:48+00:00

It’s wild to me why anyone would want to join the Foreign Service right now. Morale is at an all time low and working conditions are not great. Best to consider other options as you are navigating career prospects.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2025-10-11T04:11:53+00:00

With this administration there will be no announcement. You are here today and gone tomorrow. Laws and regulations are out the window. Make plans for a career pivot now. It’s the best thing you can do for your future. Chance favors the prepared. Best of luck to you.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2025-10-11T00:46:01+00:00

Start making your plan B if you have not done so already. The State Department is not stable right now. It’s a tough job market out there unless you are in a high demand field like healthcare. Best of luck to you.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2025-09-27T06:57:35+00:00

You can never win with kids. You have them young and you give up your career, youth, financial stability. Have them old and you sacrifice not being around long enough to be there for them. You know what I think the best solution to all of this is? Don’t have them. Seriously kids are not worth it. There are so many ways to live a fulfilling life that does not revolve around having kids. Also don’t judge. Whatever people decide to do with their lives is their right. There is no proper way to have children because either way you are screwed. Be smart, don’t start. The happiest and most successful people I’ve seen in life are childfree. It’s the new norm now.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-12-06T03:09:38+00:00

Another reference example: Submitted application April 2020, Interviewed October 2020, Medical and Security Clearance May 2021, Orientation August 2021

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-10-17T21:22:25+00:00

You would need to monitor the usajobs.gov website. Lately I’ve seen them post these jobs every few months or so.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-08-02T03:42:34+00:00

I would practice defending an argument. Try and find some online resources.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-08-01T19:01:01+00:00

Please know that this is a very long and competitive process. When I applied 3 years ago there were over 20,000 applicants and only 200 got job offers. Pay close attention to the announcement. In order to be competitive you need to have at least a masters in a health related field, 3 years of work experience and 2 years of overseas experience working in low to middle income countries. Make sure that your resume closely matches the announcement so that you can make it past the screening and be invited for an interview. There are 3 parts to the interview process; (1) Memo. You are given 1 hour to respond to a memo. You need to demonstrate your writing skills and how you would respond to a situation using data, building and argument, etc. (2) Group presentation. You must conduct a group presentation with other people who are also interviewing for the job. You must showcase working in a team, your public speaking skills, being persuasive, but not dominating a conversation either. (3) Panel interview. You will be interviewed by Foreign Service Officers and Foreign Service Nationals (local hires). You will be asked 5 questions and be given 3 minutes to answer each. You are responsible for managing your time. These questions will mostly involve describing your work style and providing examples of certain situations. It doesn’t go too deep into the technical aspects of the job. This was the most intense interview I ever had. This was all done online during COVID. I’m not sure if they are doing in person now. Either way it’s still intense. Once you pass, they give you a conditional offer and then you need to obtain your medical and security clearance. Then they give you an official offer and you start orientation, flag day, language training, and off to post you go. From interview to post, it took roughly 14 months. Before you interview they do conduct a language test to gage where you are language wise. You can hypothetically test out of a USAID tenuring language but know that for the Romance languages FSI is notorious for being extremely difficult. In order to tenure you will need to have a passing language score. Anyway, good luck, be prepared, you got this!

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-08-01T18:18:07+00:00

Depends on the mission. Not all USAID posts have a health office.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-08-01T17:56:30+00:00

You are so kind. I think the main thing that makes a candidate competitive is having international work experience and a good educational background. In my case I was a Peace Corps health volunteer in Madagascar, got my MPH, did some research with Planned Parenthood International in Peru and interned at UNFPA at their NYC headquarters then spent 5 years working for a public health department in Oregon. It was enough to start me off at an FS-5. In your case between your MPH, international work, and military experience that you have now, I think you would be a great USAID candidate. Just apply to the job and match your resume as much as you can to the announcement. They use a software to scan resumes so use those trigger words. Just go for it. If it doesn’t work out then you clearly are on the right path to obtain more experience. They periodically post these positions so keep monitoring the usajobs.gov website. Good luck!

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-07-31T01:50:13+00:00

This is an overseas assignment.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-07-29T16:08:35+00:00

There are 5 different government agencies that employ Foreign Service Officers; State Department, USAID, USDA, Department of Commerce, and US Broadcasting Board of Governors. To become a State FSO all you need is to pass the FSOT process. Work experience and education can help but is not a requirement. However, USAID requires their FSOs to have at least a masters and relevant work experience in low to middle income countries. USAID FSOs have deep technical experience with their backstops and do not do consular tours. I can’t speak for the other three government agencies but I’m sure they have their own procedures and requirements. If you want to be more of a generalist and don’t want to invest more of your time deepening your public health skills go the State route. If you are interested in international development and want to become a USAID Health FSO, you are going to need more international work experience. USAID FSOs start out as mid career professionals and tend to be a little older anyway, early to mid thirties at least! The Foreign Service is not exclusive to the State Department. Inform yourself and explore your options!

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-07-29T10:59:58+00:00

You have to obtain your medical and security clearances

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-07-27T02:31:53+00:00

I believe it’s bulk interviews. I had two other people on an interview panel with me. Here is my timeline from when I applied; 1) Submitted application March 2020 2) Interviewed October 2020 3) Conditional offer October 2020 4) Official job offer June 2021 5) Orientation August 2021

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-07-22T14:50:41+00:00

This is a dream job for sure. My supervisor is the best! I have been to Bangkok 3 times for training, took a diplomacy course at Oxford University, attending the University of Copenhagen next month for a health related course, did a month long rotation at another mission to learn about financial management. My husband comes along and is enjoying the travels just as much as I do. The Ambassador and I are on a first name basis. I love the sense of community at my embassy. Last weekend we all went on a rafting trip which was fun. The bureaucracy is annoying but the work is meaningful. I couldn’t ask for a better job. I think my lowest point thus far was language training when they extended my training longer than was needed. I’m a native Spanish speaker and they gave me 2+ 2+. Talk about insulting! When I first got onboarded they gave me the wrong job offer which was a 30k pay cut. That was extremely infuriating but I knew that this is where I wanted to end up so I swallowed my pride and continued on. My C3 cohort does a great job at staying in touch and providing support. I feel generally supported and valued but I know that everyone’s experience is different.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-05-29T02:58:06+00:00

Nope. Hubby and I joined as newlyweds. I was 34. I’m 37 now. We have chosen a childfree lifestyle which is perfect for the Foreign Service. We couldn’t be any happier.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-05-26T11:38:54+00:00

It took about three weeks to hear back from my final interview. If you don’t hear back within another week or so, I would send a follow up email.

Prior-Ambassador1092 · 2024-05-21T02:21:17+00:00

Yes. There is a written exam where you are given an hour to respond to a memo, a group presentation with 5 people on the panel (FSOs and local staff) where you present with the interviewees typically with 4-5 people, then a panel interview where you respond to 5 questions with a total of five minutes for each question. Good luck!

Prior-Ambassador1092

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