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zzonkmiles posted:2011: Passed FSOT. Failed QEP. Hell yes!! Congrats! My best friend is on his 4th try too -- second attempt at the OAs. Based on my understanding, the PNQ is real filter. OA acceptance rates seems to stay within a rather static band. PNQs can contract and expand based on need. Quick clarification about R&R: you use annual leave, right? All it really provides is a flight?
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Jan 9, 2016 05:56
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There are a couple older CA FSOs in my training class, and I've been talking to them about applying into Consular Affairs next time I take the FSOT. They make it sound really interesting, and being in CA civil service will probably help me as I'll already have learned a good chunk of the information already.
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Jan 9, 2016 15:06
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The Mantis posted:Hell yes!! Congrats! My best friend is on his 4th try too -- second attempt at the OAs. Based on my understanding, the PNQ is real filter. OA acceptance rates seems to stay within a rather static band. PNQs can contract and expand based on need. Correct. You can also use unpaid time off.
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Jan 9, 2016 17:02
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Slaan posted:being in CA civil service will probably help me as I'll already have learned a good chunk of the information already. Do you work at SA-17? I'm stuck there for a while, hate everything and don't know anybody.
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Jan 9, 2016 23:22
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Nah. I'm at one of the passport agencies in the south. Mine only has like 40 people total. Super small.
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Jan 10, 2016 00:18
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The Mantis posted:Hell yes!! Congrats! My best friend is on his 4th try too -- second attempt at the OAs. Based on my understanding, the PNQ is real filter. OA acceptance rates seems to stay within a rather static band. PNQs can contract and expand based on need. Thanks man. Yeah, the FSOT may weed out the pretenders and the people who simply don't have the knowledge base to advance, but the QEP is where most legit candidacies go to die. I would REALLY like to not need to take my chances with the QEP yet again. Anyway, I just registered for the OA today. Fingers are crossed. I need to join a study group now. EDIT: Today was the first day of A-100. Congrats to all the new FSOs out there! Good luck!
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Jan 12, 2016 04:33
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zzonkmiles posted:EDIT: Today was the first day of A-100. Congrats to all the new FSOs out there! Good luck! A friend of mine is in this class, and I got a chance to look at the bid list today. All CON jobs, but there are some pretty sweet places on there...
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Jan 14, 2016 03:21
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the_chavi posted:A friend of mine is in this class Hey me too. I'm also gonna be in a panel session for this class. Finally living the dream.
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Jan 15, 2016 02:21
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Time Crisis Actor fucked around with this message at 02:53 on Jan 20, 2017 |
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Jan 16, 2016 14:49
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Deathy McDeath posted:Hey there foreign service goons. Longtime reader, first time poster. Tons of places "deal with" Iran - its neighbors, major trade partners in Europe and Asia, ideological allies in Latin America, etc. It all comes down to specifics of a certain country's relations - Turkey will be very different from Russia or Bahrain. Nonetheless, I would recommend that you consider interning in NEA domestically or abroad (we do have an office of Iranian affairs in NEA), as you're most likely to come across Iranian issues there, and it's arguably what you're most qualified for if you specialize in Middle East stuff. Keep in mind, however, that there's no guarantee you'll be working on the narrow specific issue that you prefer in an internship. By getting in the door in an office or post that hires you, you may get to work on that, but more likely you'll be doing duties as assigned - where you can learn about a lot of things in addition to your specialty.
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Jan 16, 2016 15:55
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Keep in mind we are hired into the FS as generalists. You have the opportunity to choose regional specialities but don't start thinking you can get in and just focus on a particular country or concept. You'll be pretty bummed to get sent to Brazil and Indonesian (with language both times!) for your first two assignments, then perhaps a DC follow-on, putting you into your eighth or ninth year in the FS before you even get near where you want to be.
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Jan 17, 2016 05:52
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But you may fall in love with Brazil or Indonesia along the way, so who cares?
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Jan 18, 2016 07:41
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Also think of the food.
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Jan 18, 2016 09:21
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Bloodnose posted:But you may fall in love with Brazil or Indonesia along the way, so who cares? Good point. I didn't mean it as a bad thing.  But I don't want our potential colleague to be one of "those guys" when it comes to crapping in everyone's oatmeal about how stupid the FS is for not sending him where he wants to go.
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Jan 18, 2016 13:15
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Nutrimentia posted:Good point. I didn't mean it as a bad thing. Yeah we have one of those (couples) and holy hell they're the worst
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Jan 18, 2016 13:42
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The Mantis posted:Yeah we have one of those (couples) and holy hell they're the worst Yup. In another news, TM2 is in. gently caress I wish I could extend here 
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Jan 18, 2016 20:49
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Nutrimentia posted:Good point. I didn't mean it as a bad thing. I think I've told this story before, but a woman in my A-100 class quit on day two because there were no posts in Germany on our bid list and she didn't see the point in continuing. I mean, she spoke German! Why would they send her to Mexico or Mali?
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Jan 19, 2016 03:30
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the_chavi posted:I think I've told this story before, but a woman in my A-100 class quit on day two because there were no posts in Germany on our bid list and she didn't see the point in continuing. I mean, she spoke German! Why would they send her to Mexico or Mali? When that happened, did they pluck someone else off the register at the last minute to fill her space? Shouldn't be TOO hard to cram in two missed days of material, right?
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Jan 20, 2016 04:46
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zzonkmiles posted:When that happened, did they pluck someone else off the register at the last minute to fill her space? Shouldn't be TOO hard to cram in two missed days of material, right? Nope. We started at 62 and ended up graduating 59 (a few others quit for a variety of reasons, but none were egregious like that).
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Jan 20, 2016 06:00
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the_chavi posted:Nope. We started at 62 and ended up graduating 59 (a few others quit for a variety of reasons, but none were egregious like that). Woah! We haven't lost anybody yet after 10 months.
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Jan 20, 2016 23:01
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I'm sure this was in the DC thread. And yeah, it's total facebook grandma level reposting, but lmao nonetheless https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SemqaC3UdI
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Jan 22, 2016 17:13
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It was in the DC thread and I heard it being blasted in one of the only other occupied offices at SA-17 this morning. Or maybe he was watching another Downfall parody. You really can't tell from the audio alone.
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Jan 22, 2016 20:54
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What is this mysterious DC thread of which you are speaking?
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Jan 25, 2016 00:04
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It's in LAN Also officially a snow day tomorrow. Yay.
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Jan 25, 2016 00:11
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My first TDY in a year got canceled by this storm, so I"d better get a snow day as compensation.
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Jan 25, 2016 02:07
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If anyone in here is doing a tour at Main State, I'd love to meet up and get some advice from all you experienced people on working for State! I just got approved for an internship with SCA/NSB from March to May and although I'm currently interning at another federal agency (DOJ), State is where I want to end up and I'm hoping this internship may lead to awesome networking and such. So excited!
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Jan 29, 2016 07:02
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dalliance posted:If anyone in here is doing a tour at Main State, I'd love to meet up and get some advice from all you experienced people on working for State! congrats! I'm overseas but always available by PM
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Jan 29, 2016 07:31
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I'm at SA-17 (19th and G) and have only been in for a year but like meeting new people.
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Jan 29, 2016 08:13
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Bloodnose, I thought you were overseas as a consular adjudicator?
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Jan 29, 2016 13:05
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I thought Bloodnose got medevaced, I guess did not return to post. Edit in order to not be an inconsiderate jerk: how is the wrist feeling? Tyro fucked around with this message at 14:02 on Jan 29, 2016 |
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Jan 29, 2016 14:00
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Wrist is good. I was called back to Washington for other reasons. Needs of the Service. Hoping to go overseas again soon.
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Jan 31, 2016 02:30
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dalliance posted:If anyone in here is doing a tour at Main State, I'd love to meet up and get some advice from all you experienced people on working for State! I did a 3 month rotation in NSB a few years ago, although everyone I worked with has long moved on. Shoot me a message if you want to get coffee or something.
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Jan 31, 2016 21:00
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Giodo! posted:I did a 3 month rotation in NSB a few years ago, although everyone I worked with has long moved on. Shoot me a message if you want to get coffee or something. Will do, thanks!
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Feb 4, 2016 20:22
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Long time lurker, but had to share my excitement. I applied to the IMS opening in December and got a nice Valentine's day present in the form of an OA invite for early March! I've read through 10's if not 100's of pages of posts here and have really appreciated all the great information! Can't wait for the next step in the process!
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Feb 16, 2016 18:09
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beardown posted:Long time lurker, but had to share my excitement. I applied to the IMS opening in December and got a nice Valentine's day present in the form of an OA invite for early March! I've read through 10's if not 100's of pages of posts here and have really appreciated all the great information! Can't wait for the next step in the process! Hey congrats!!!! I know that feeling and it's amazing!!
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Feb 16, 2016 20:24
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I just made the mistake of looking at the pay tables for FS personnel. Ho. Lee. Crap. That's a lot of money for a starting salary.
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Feb 18, 2016 02:46
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zzonkmiles posted:I just made the mistake of looking at the pay tables for FS personnel. Ho. Lee. Crap. That's a lot of money for a starting salary. You and I must have different definitions of "a lot of money," considering most folks I know at work have significant prior work experience and education.
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Feb 18, 2016 03:08
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beardown posted:Long time lurker, but had to share my excitement. I applied to the IMS opening in December and got a nice Valentine's day present in the form of an OA invite for early March! I've read through 10's if not 100's of pages of posts here and have really appreciated all the great information! Can't wait for the next step in the process! Congrats and good luck!
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Feb 18, 2016 03:09
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Tyro posted:You and I must have different definitions of "a lot of money," considering most folks I know at work have significant prior work experience and education. If I make it in, I would be coming in as an FS-4, Step 14. PhD and 15 years of work experience. I'm a current fed, so I don't get the advantage of private-sector salaries and bonuses, unfortunately.
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Feb 18, 2016 03:10
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Ah, gotcha. Maxed out 4 is about as good as it gets for entry, so that's awesome for you. I would have also come in as a 4 if I'd accepted my generalist position, but chose the specialist 6 and don't regret it...
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Feb 18, 2016 03:22
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