One hurdle down

So about 3 weeks ago I learned that I passed the FSOT for the second time!!! Yay! And then about a week ago I turned in my personal narratives for the second time. I mostly used the same examples from the last time, I just tweaked and adjusted them. And now it is back to waiting. Pursuing the Foreign Service is an exercise in patience followed by intense bursts of activity. Apply for the test, wait, sign up for the test date, wait, take the test, wait, and so on. But in a way, the complicated and extensive hiring process is a great way to self select out candidates. After all, if you can't handle the application process, there is no way you would be able to handle working in a government position. So for now I will continue on with my life, which is going through some major upheavals right now anyway, and see what happens. I won't know if I am moving on to the Oral Assessment again for about two more months. Cross your fingers for me.

3 1/2 months

So I was bad and forgot to update the blog on my signing up for the Oral Assessment. Fall is always super busy for me and I got distracted. But enough about that. Registration for the Oral Assessment opened on Sept. 28th and I decided to wait until I got home from work to sign up. Little did I realize that I was the only one waiting. In 9 hours all the assessment slots for November, December, and even most of January were already taken. Sigh. I was hoping to get a slot in December. On the bright side, this will give me more time to prepare. I'm all signed up, booked my flight, and even found a hotel within walking distance of the test site. I'm even looking forward to meeting up with some friends in DC while I'm there. January 27th is the magic day so I better work hard so that I can do my best!

Hello Washington DC!

When I got home today I had an unexpected surprise waiting for me; I am being brought in for the Oral Assessment! I am soooo excited! In about two weeks I will get to sign up for my assessment date and book my trip. I'll likely pick a date in December as that would work best with the temp gig I just started today. That means I have 3 months to prepare for the Oral Assessment so I really need to work hard. This is one more hurdle I've jumped over but there's still more.

It suddenly feels real

So I finally received the email I've been waiting for these last 3 weeks. I... passed the FSOT!! Suddenly, I'm not just someone interested, I'm someone who actually has a shot. I'm both thrilled and freaking out at the same time. That's one hurdle, one step of many, that has been cleared.

This is how I look at the process:
Step 1: Pass FSOT
Step 2: Submit Personal Narratives & clear the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP)
Step 3: Pass the Oral Assessment
Step 4: Pass the Background/Credit/Health checks
Step 5: Enter a training group & secure an overseas assignment

So, step 1 has been completed! (does a little dance) Just 4 more left to go. (starts hyperventilating)

I can breathe normally again

So I just got home from taking the FSOT this morning and I have to say that it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be! I'm not saying it was easy, but it wasn't so horrible that I feel mentally drained now. It was a challenge, a stretch of your mind, but not overwhelming.

Here's my breakdown (keeping in mind that I can't go into too many details because then I would get in trouble and no one wants that, especially me):

Job Knowledge Section: This is probably the section I'm worried about. Some questions I feel I nailed while others were plain guesses. Makes it hard to pin down how I did.

English Expression Section: I know I kicked butt in this section, but then writing and grammar have always been things I'm good at.

Biographic Information Section: I think I did well on this section, but it was sometimes hard for me to think of examples in the short time frame and explain them in the brief space provided.

Written Essay Section: I actually found this section to be fun! It was almost like being in debate again. But I had to force myself to go into more detail because I tend to be more concise than expansive.

Overall, I think I might have done well. I always had time remaining on each section, even the essay, and it wasn't as scary as I thought it might be. I do have to say that the Study Guide I purchased was a great reflection of the types of things I saw on the test so I would highly recommend it.

On a personal note, I think I was the oldest person there taking the test and I'm not that old! A lot of college age kids took it with me. And this waiting 3 to 5 weeks for results? I'm so impatient,I want my results now! Sigh. Nothing to do but wait. Wait, and start preparing for the next stages of this process on the chance that I do get to move on.

Tomorrow

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.
-Douglas Adams

Holy wow, the test is tomorrow! What the hell happened to May? I'm about to head to bed, I want to make sure I get a good nights sleep, and I'm trying to put the test in perspective so I don't freak out.

Deep breaths, Deep breaths.

I'm going to go in and do my best. Because there isn't anything else I can do.

It's official

This has been a busy last month. I ended one job and started another. All in all, I was only unemployed for about a week. Unexpected, but happy. So where does this leave my FSO plans?

Well, on Sunday, March 1st, I submitted my application. And on Monday, March 2nd, I got the confirmation email that around April 29th I'll get an email telling me to sign up for a seat for the June testing window. It's official now. I have 4 months to study and prepare for the written exam. Oh, and did I mention I also signed up for the PHR May testing window? That's right, I have to prep for my HR certification test at the same time.

Can you say glutton for punishment? Or maybe you could just call me driven. Why did I sign up so soon for the FSOT? Well, my new position is contract, not a permanent position, so I have no idea how long it will last. Right now, I have more to lose if I don't jump in and go for it. The next few months are going to be intense though.

Hello 2009

It is the new year and I know it will go by fast. I have decided that I will sign up for the FSOT testing window for October of this year. That means I have a lot of preparations to make in about 10 months. Yikes.

This is earlier than I was planning on taking the test because I wanted to give myself more time to prepare. I'm sure that to a certain extent I am overly worried about my abilities. However, I would rather be over prepared for the test than under prepared and fail horribly. But if I don't pass, I can still take it the following year. I lose nothing by taking the test this year and probably have a lot more to gain.

So with my goal set I have a bunch of things I need to get done. Please look forward to posts on that later this month. And no, I'm not making these resolutions, I hate making resolutions.

Why Foreign Service Officer and not a Foreign Service Specialist?

When I first started researching the Foreign Service, I found that I could either become an Officer or a Specialist. The two classifications share many similarities so it can be confusing to determine which path to follow.

Foreign Service Specialists provide specific services based on areas of specialization. Medical, IT, Administration, etc. Specialists are not required to take the Foreign Service Officers Test, though the rest of the selection process mirrors the one for Officers. As I was reading through the description, specialist positions seemed to be more similar to a job opening at a company that you would apply and interview for. Only the company is the State Department and the office is located overseas.

On the surface, it might seem that I should become a Specialist. I really enjoy Human Resources and have spent a great deal of time and effort improving my skills in it. I have a Master's degree and plan on taking the exam for the Professional of Human Resources (PHR) certification this May. Becoming a Human Resource Specialist in the Foreign Service seems a natural progression of my career.

So, why do I want to become an Officer? Mainly, I want to develop myself and my career beyond an HR specialization. Becoming an Officer puts you on a career track, which is something you don't get as a Specialist. I feel that I will eventually hit a wall as a Specialist and if all I wanted to do was get more HR experience, I don't have to join the foreign service to do it. I see myself joining the Foreign Service, developing my skills in new areas (as well as HR), and securing a great job with a company after I retire. I'm still young; I can have a full career in the Foreign Service and still retire from it well before standard retirement age. Also, I feel there is more prestige attached to Officers. I'm not saying that becoming a Specialist is easy or any less competitive, but more is expected of Officers. They have a greater range of responsibilities and tougher requirements. That level of challenge and accountability comes with more acclaim.

Deciding between a Specialist or Officer track was difficult, but in the end I'm happy with my decision. Now I just need to prepare for the selection process.

Hello and Good Evening

Today is my 28th birthday and I felt it was an auspicious enough occasion to warrant the launch of this blog. Recently, a deep down wish finally bubbled to the surface and provided me with a career direction and goal. I'm an army brat, and even though entering the armed forces never had any real appeal to me, I have always desired, deep down, to be of service to my country.

This was how I came to decide to pursue a career as a Foreign Service Officer (FSO). Working in a consulate, overseas in a foreign country, and serving the diplomatic interests of my country holds a great deal of appeal for me. I feel it would be a great use of my education and experience as well as a great way to further my career.

Becoming a FSO is not easy. It's a multi-step process and highly competitive. As I reflect on my birthday it is clear that I am not ready. Not yet, at least. This blog will hopefully start out following me along my journey of preparation and eventually (hopefully), transition into a record of my service as an FSO. I promise to keep it informative, interesting, and entertaining. It's what I do.