Apr 25, 2018 | Becoming a FSO |
A month ago, I sent an email to subscribers of the pFS newsletter with a simple question: would you be interested in a course to help you prep, study, and practice for the FSOT. The response surprised me. Nearly 20% responded yes! This percentage is huge! For...
Feb 18, 2018 | Becoming a FSO |
So you’ve done all your studying and are ready to practice for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT), but you’re not really sure how? Don’t worry, I had the same problem. Actually, the vast majority of folks taking the test have had or are currently having the exact...
Feb 13, 2018 | Becoming a FSO |
The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) practice essay simulators were created to help applicants pass the essay section of the FSOT. If you would like to go directly to the basic practice simulator, the link follows: FSOT Essay Simulator Basic If you would like to...
Feb 12, 2018 | FSO Career |
The Stories from the Field series continues with Rob, who was recently posted in Brazil. His first assignment! You can keep up with Rob on his website. Rob and I actually met up a couple of times when we both lived in DC in 2017. We connected because of Path to...
Feb 5, 2018 | Becoming a FSO |
The Foreign Service Officer (FSO), Foreign Service Specialist (FSS), and Consular Fellows hiring numbers for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 have been released! If you have been following the blog for some time, then you know I enjoy learning this information and presenting it...
Jan 5, 2018 | Becoming a FSO |
It’s the start of the New Year, and with it an opportunity to review what has happened over the last 12 months. It is no secret the Department of State is being minimized both in personnel and its influential capacity. You need only walk down memory lane: Diplomats...
Nov 22, 2017 | FSO Career |
Do you know how many Secretaries of State are still living? It may come as a surprise to you. It did for me. My curiosity to determine how many remain arose, as most things do, by accident. I was watching a news reel when a story of the president came on and his...
Nov 15, 2017 | Becoming a FSO |
There are a variety of considerations you should make before joining the Foreign Service as a diplomat. The “job” is not just a career, but it is also a lifestyle – one that has many perks and potential drawbacks. Searching online, asking former/current...
Nov 10, 2017 | FSO Lifestyle |
Growing up overseas due to the Foreign Service has many pros and cons. Some of them are noticeable and immediate impacts, while others are only fully appreciated, or even understood, many years later. Below, my sister Cristina talks about her experience with having...
May 23, 2017 | FSO Career |
FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER SALARY: A Comprehensive Guide (2017 Update) The Foreign Service Officer salary is dynamic and ever changing. Though your base salary, pegged to a Washington, D.C. cost of living, remains steady, each country has different allowances. Depending...
