So, how do you get started with this? I think it sounds pretty cool.

I would start by going to the State Department's website and reading more about the position. This is for the generalist position that we're all talking about, but they also have specialist positions that you may be interested in.

Sometime around January they will open up registration for the Written Exam. You'll go online and sign up to take the test which will probably be held in April. The written test is given in thousands of places around the world so there shouldn't be any trouble finding some place near you.

I can't believe it's been a year, but it's time to bump this thread again. The Department of State will soon be opening the registration for the Foreign Service Written Exam. They aren't currently accepting applications yet, but will be starting in "mid-January" so keep your eyes open. I'll post here when I see it. I am on the register, but not counting on my score to get me in so I plan on re-taking the written again.

You can read more about it here.

2006 Foreign Written Service Exam is now open. Go here to register. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by skobb:
2006 Foreign Written Service Exam is now open. Go here to register. Good luck.

Yep I'm a masochist, I just registered all over again. I did get the score for my last exam and found out that I was 5 points off the passing mark for the Political Cone, so it's spurred me to work a little harder this time.

News Article: US to shift many diplomats from Europe to Middle East, Asia

This shouldn't be earth-shattering news to anyone keeping up with current events - but thought it may be of interest to people looking into the foreign service.

This is all the talk on the Yahoo Foreign Service boards. What Secretary Rice is planning makes sense, and has actually already started. I know of at least one FSO who has had his upcoming post shifted from Hong Kong to Beijing.

Of course, what would be better than simply shifting manpower from Europe to other parts of the world would be to hire additional manpower, but that would require we buy one less stealth bomber.

quote:

Originally posted by skobb:
What Secretary Rice is planning makes sense, and has actually already started.

Yeah I never imagined that I'd find myself agreeing with anything she says, but I think it's definitely a direction that State needs to take. And as a fellow FS Exam masochisthopeful, I'm of course curious about what effect it might have on recruitment and selection.

This message board really has me thinking about doing this! I don't think I'd do it any time soon though, but I would like to read some of these books on their list. I'm in the other bna book club, which is going alright. Did you guys want to do a foreign service book club still? Which book is best to start with you think?

Netts, if you have any interest at all then you should register for the written exam. At the absolute minimum it would be a year until you could get hired assuming you pass the written, oral, background investigation, medical clearance, and suitability review. If they offer you a spot and you have since changed your mind you can always turn it down, but you'll never get an offer without starting the process. Plus, it's free to do the written exam.

I first started the process in January of 2004 and I am just now remotely close to being hired and that is still a very outside chance. It's certainly not a speedy process.

As far as reading goes - I did read quite a few of the books on their list, but a lot are extremely dry textbooks that you probably couldn't even find if you wanted to. Reading various quality newspapers and magazines on a regular basis is a big help. In particular you want to study up on how the American government works and American history. I found that reading books on American presidents is useful because you tend to get a history lesson on the events of the time as well.

*bump*

The deadline to register to take the Foreign Service Written Exam is March 8 for those taking it domestically and today for those testing at an international site.

The test is free to take and only offered once a year so if you're at all interested, I'd sign up now.

For any of you who are interested in this, but a little daunted at the procedure of getting in, let me say that it is possible.

I was called earlier in the week and I start training in DC on May 1. Woo!

Hey, Wow. Congratulations Skobb. Very cool.

Excellent!

Congrats! That's great to hear as I try and psyche myself up for the written exam again.