r/foreignservice

I’m currently waiting for a Top Secret and Suitability Clearance for an FSO appointment with the State Department. During the past year I have posted on social media questioning certain USG policies and implying some disagreement with the current President’s stated agenda. I stand by the opinions that I expressed, which were written in a professional and measured tone. In other circumstances I would not be concerned. However, I’m concerned that the current administration will not accept people who have expressed disagreement with the current president’s policy agenda. Should I be concerned?

Hi all,

I've recently grabbed interest in applying for this job, and I was wondering what would be considered high competitiveness as a candidate?

I've worked 4 years as a public school teacher and 4 years in a critical role for mental health service providers that deal with patients that are medicaid funded.

I'm fluent in two adopted languages, English and Brazilian Portuguese. I would prefer to work in a consulate in Brazil.

1. How can I become more competitive, be actually considered for the job?

2. For those who have worked or are still in the application process, how long has the process been/is?

3. How do you think salary is determined? Do they take your previous roles and experience into account?

4. What city were you in? What was the experience?

Hello all

I just received this bad news regarding my suitability clearance for the CF position.

The Suitability Review Panel has concluded that your candidacy for employment as a Foreign Service CS/LNA should be terminated because of:

• Criminal, dishonest, or notoriously disgraceful conduct as referenced in 3 FAM 2215.2-6 (4).

In reaching this decision, the Panel considered the following:

• You traveled to Cuba between October 31, 2023 and November 4, 2023 despite a federal prohibition against such travel, and failed to meet any of the exceptions permitted under U.S. law for such travel.

Has anyone been successful after appealing this decision recently?

I went from FL, and i marked support of cuban people as I was told. I stayed away from any government businesses. Stayed at a casa particular, ate at mom and pop places and supported local/independent guides.

I hope there is hope here.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

I am an aspiring DTO, and had a few questions.

1. My wife is a Dentist, and she loves it. I don't want her to have to leave her role for me, and was wondering what it might be like for her to travel with me to all these countries? Does she need to work for a local dental clinic? Or will she be able to find roles within the embassy community / Foreign Service community / State Department network?

2. How long did the TS clearance take?

2a. How long does the application process take? Years?

4. What are the benefits like being a DTO? Is it worth it? Is there good job growth/career growth/ rewarding experience?

5. We are planning on having kids in the next 5 years. What was it like to move from country to country with children? How was it for their development?

6. What is bidding on countries like? How often do you have to bid and have to move? What if you are starting to settle in an area, can you just stay there?

I'm having some issues with scheduling the next step of my FSOA on the Pearson portal. I received an email telling me I had passed the essay section on Friday and that scheduling for the interview and negotiation portions would be open from today, August 17th, until the 21st. But when I opened up the Pearson portal this morning, it indicated that I had already missed the window to schedule my interview. Is anyone else already having a similar issue? If so, has anyone found a solution?
Thank you in advance.

I currently have two Foreign Service candidacies going:
FSO – Political: Second candidacy. Took the FSOT July 15 and am awaiting results/next steps.
OMS: First candidacy. Took the OMST August 14, passed, and am awaiting next steps.
For some background, I’m a veteran with a B.S. in Geography, and I’m continuing my education in business administration, geography, and political science.
I’ve already researched both career tracks pretty extensively, so I’m less interested in the application process or basic differences between FSO and FSS. I’m really interested in the jobs themselves.
For those who have worked as an OMS or Political Officer, or closely with both, what do you actually like and dislike about the work?
The Political track appeals to me because of the analysis, reporting, policy, and eventual leadership opportunities. OMS also interests me because of the organizational, operational, and management side of running a mission.
So, hypothetically, if both doors opened: which would you choose and why?
And if anyone here has actually pursued both FSO and OMS candidacies, I’d especially like to hear what ultimately pushed you toward one over the other.

Kind of interesting to see what other countries consider to be hardship postings. I was intrigued that they removed Pyongyang and Bamako from the list but not places like Bangkok

Does anyone know when the call for nominations cable for this year’s MSIs will come out? Our HROs at post said that the Department was going to use both the new DS-5055 form and the open nomination process for this year only as they switched everyone to the new form.

I didn’t use the new form because my rater departed post at the end of February and the EER we filled out was on the old form. I am just trying to determine whether there is still a chance for my new rater to put me in for an MSI or if I missed the boat this year out of dumb luck. Thanks!

I just learned that I passed the written exercise! I have been prepping my stories for the structured interviews and I’m feeling ok with those (although I would love pointers if anyone has them). I have no idea how to prep for the negotiation exercise. What resources helped you? What are they looking for? Are there prep groups or anything I can look into?

When accepted and in as DTO, are SIP qualifying certs paid for or reimbursed by the DoS? If yes, what about potential paid prep courses for them?

Has anybody received this for their position? One of our folks received one and apparently they have been going out since last week

Well really, when.

If you were eager to join the foreign service and take the FSOT for the first time, when would you do it based on recent pools of those admitted?

2028 under a new administration? 2030? Does timing even matter?

Are there any single moms on here who could speak to how they balance parenting and being an FSO. For context I have three kids and they would be spending summers in the states with their dad, but I would be solo during the school year. I know it's very "post dependent" but generally are you able to be around after 5pm? Are people understanding of half days to go see kids school plays? Any feedback, anecdotal or otherwise would be really helpful.

Does anyone know if you can take per diem more than 45 days before your estimated due date? I understand it’s typically granted for 90 days but was wondering if it must be split equally before/after due date. We want to medevac early to be on the safe side due to inadequate med facilities at post.

Also, is it common for spouse to accompany as a non-medical travel attendant?

Was contacted by the state department to send in my resume and university transcript before the written assessment. Is the vetting process hard?