Employers

The Foreign Service isnt a single organization. Prospective officers actually apply to join one of two different agencies: either the Department of State or the Bureau of International Information Programs. The Department of State develops and implements foreign policy, while the Bureau of International Information Programs explains these policies and actions to the world by engaging in public diplomacy. When hired, officers are offered an appointment to one of these agencies. Theres very little moving between agencies. About 14,400 Foreign Service Foreign Service officers work in Washington, D.C., or are stationed in more than 170 foreign countries that have U.S. embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions.

Starting Out

Many people apply to the Foreign Service directly after finishing graduate school through the USAIDs Foreign Service Junior Officer Program, while others work in other government agencies or professions. (USAID is a government agency that "leads the U.S. governments international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.") Some serve with the Peace Corps or the military, gaining experience with foreign affairs before applying, or they work as teachers in American-sponsored schools overseas. Some work as Congressional aides or interns.

Before being offered a job with the Foreign Service, you must take and pass the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT), which is administered three times per year. The FSOT is a computer-based test that consists of four separate sections: Job Knowledge, English Expression, Situational Judgment, and Written Essay. The U.S. Department of State offers a practice test (https://careers.state.gov/fso-practice-test-main-instructions) to help applicants prepare for the exam. The most-qualified candidates are invited to take the FS Officer Assessment, which includes three components: Case Management Exercise, Group Exercise, and Structured Interview. Candidates who receive a passing score receive a conditional offer of employment and move to the next step, which involves meeting minimum medical qualifications, passing a security clearance background investigation, and receiving a positive evaluation from a suitability review panel.

But completing these steps doesnt necessarily mean employment; passing candidates are placed on a rank-order list based on their test scores. As jobs become available, offers are made to those at the top of the list. Applicants receive additional credit for language ability in certain languages and being a military veteran.

The number of positions available varies from year to year; typically, thousands of people apply for fewer than 500 positions. The Foreign Service has been known to cancel its annual exam because of too few job openings.

The U.S. Department of State publishes a list of 11 qualities it seeks in a Foreign Service Officer candidate. Visit https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/foreign-service/dimensions to view the list.

New recruits are given a temporary appointment as career candidates, or junior officers. This probationary period lasts no longer than five years and consists of orientation and work overseas. During this time all junior officers must learn a foreign language. The candidates performance will be reviewed after 36 months of service, at which time a decision on tenure (once tenured, an officer cant be separated from the service without written cause) and appointment as a career Foreign Service officer will be made. If tenure is not granted, the candidate will be reviewed again approximately one year later. Those who fail to show potential as career officers are dropped from the program.

Career officers are rated by their supervisors once a year. A promotion board decides who is eligible for advancement. Promotions are based on merit. Officers who do good work can expect to advance from Grade 6 through Grade 9 by the time they complete their careers. A very experienced career officer may have the opportunity to serve as a member of the Senior Foreign Service, which involves directing, coordinating, and implementing U.S. foreign policy.

Visit https://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/officer for comprehensive information about careers.

Read publications such as Foreign Service Journal (http://www.afsa.org/foreign-service-journal) and STATE magazine (https://careers.state.gov/about/who-we-are/state-magazine) to learn more about the field.

Participate in an internship with the U.S. Department of State.

Conduct information interviews with Foreign Service officers and ask them for advice on preparing for and entering the field. The U.S. Department of State offers Diplomats in Residence, in which career FSOs located throughout the United States provide advice to young people about careers. Visit https://careers.state.gov/connect-with-a-diplomat for more information.