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the_chavi posted:My personal record is getting orders cut, packed out, tickets booked, and departing for home in 72 hours. Dumbest thing I've ever done, especially because I was the guinea pig at post for testing out the my itinerary function in HROnline. hissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss (but that's actually kind of nice to know, that it has the capability of being processed in 72 hours. Of course, an Ambassador can always PNG/plane ticket, but it's not the same..) got my visa's.. but also have per diem conflicts. Is the per diem on your T.O's suppose to be an estimate and not the actual allowance, or what? Cause  on a $1,400 rest stop per diem
Skandiaavity fucked around with this message at 05:13 on Nov 20, 2012 |
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Nov 20, 2012 05:03
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Skandiaavity posted:hissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss (but that's actually kind of nice to know, that it has the capability of being processed in 72 hours. Of course, an Ambassador can always PNG/plane ticket, but it's not the same..) Capability =/= advisability. For my second tour it took 4 weeks to get orders. Sigh... Can't help you on the per diem question, sorry... can you talk to the FSI office?
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Nov 20, 2012 22:52
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November issue of the Foreign Service Journal profiles Amb. Stevens, Sean, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods. http://www.afsa.org/FSJ/1112/index.html#/79/zoomed Earlier in the issue there is a story on Amb. Stevens's memorial event in San Francisco.
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Nov 21, 2012 15:10
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I speak/read/write German really well (4/5 on the DaF) and my Mandarin is pretty good. I can speak it "fluently" in that I can hold a conversation on most any topic, but my vocabulary is not where I would want it to be. My reading is pretty good but again not where I'd want it. Writing is weaker but if I am writing with an essay in front of me and I don't have to worry about the specific characters for that topic it's pretty good. Also for everything I just said if it's in traditional rather than simplified I do better (I'm guessing they will test using simplified though). It's pretty hard to really evaluate where your Mandarin is as a non-native speaker that hasn't taken a test because most non-native speakers that you run into are really bad at it and it tends to make you think you're better than you really are. With that said I have looked at how they test your language ability and am wondering what I should focus on. Should I focus on talking about diplomatic issues and political organization etc? They are potentially going to have a two hour conversation with me and I doubt it's going to be asking me if I like to eat Chinese food and asking me about how cheap iPhones are in the US (what you usually end up talking about to Chinese people in China).
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Nov 21, 2012 18:41
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I applied for the IMS opening that closed back in Sept. Wednesday I got an email congratulating me on passing the QEP and I should keep my eyes open for the information on when I will be scheduled to travel to DC for the OA's. This is my third time applying and honestly I was expecting to get the "We're sorry but" email - plus I was really surprised I got it the day before Thanksgiving.
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Nov 23, 2012 16:10
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SCRwM posted:I applied for the IMS opening that closed back in Sept. Wednesday I got an email congratulating me on passing the QEP and I should keep my eyes open for the information on when I will be scheduled to travel to DC for the OA's. This is my third time applying and honestly I was expecting to get the "We're sorry but" email - plus I was really surprised I got it the day before Thanksgiving. Same here. I've applied for FSO Management twice, passed exam but have not been invited to Orals. This is my second IMS application as well and the last one didn't pass the PN section. I'm pretty excited to get to Orals! Any ideas on when they might be occurring - does January sound likely? Have there been any big changes or trends in the hiring process over the last 3-4 years - my last application was IMS-2010-0001. I briefly looked through the thread and it's incredible how it's evolved. I used to be a prolific SA member from since like 2004 [had another handle] but stopped using it when Digg/Reddit evolved. I was able to get some advice about the process from current a IMS when I'd first applied, I don't want to drop name but he was a DC based info. assurance focused IMS, acting CISO of a division (though I think he may have gone to civil service here). I also just looked over the posts about Vile Rat and had no idea that he was the IMS from September. Though I didn't know him personally, it truly a terrible loss for the community at large. drat.
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Nov 24, 2012 00:43
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problematique posted:Same here. I've applied for FSO Management twice, passed exam but have not been invited to Orals. This is my second IMS application as well and the last one didn't pass the PN section. I'm pretty excited to get to Orals! Any ideas on when they might be occurring - does January sound likely? Have there been any big changes or trends in the hiring process over the last 3-4 years - my last application was IMS-2010-0001. My guess is it will be after the first of the year. Holidays are upon us and people will be taking time off, etc. I think DoS is just starting to send out notifications.
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Nov 24, 2012 02:43
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Congrats to both of you! No idea on the scheduling, unfortunately, but I'd be very surprised if it was before January.
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Nov 24, 2012 02:59
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Tyro posted:Congrats to both of you! No idea on the scheduling, unfortunately, but I'd be very surprised if it was before January. Thanks Tyro. I agree I think it will be Jan/Feb for when they schedule the OA's.
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Nov 25, 2012 15:25
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According to the yahoo group they just got the ok for the A100 in Jan. Too bad I went on do not call status because I'm in training for a new job and don't want to screw them over. Anything after that is fair game though.
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Nov 25, 2012 18:39
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Tyro posted:According to the yahoo group they just got the ok for the A100 in Jan. Too bad I went on do not call status because I'm in training for a new job and don't want to screw them over. Anything after that is fair game though. Does that include the Specialist class as well? Global Critter fucked around with this message at 08:19 on Nov 26, 2012 |
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Nov 26, 2012 05:52
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Global Critter posted:Does that include the Specialist class as well? Never mind....I got my IMS invite today. Gues that answers the question! 
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Nov 26, 2012 17:49
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Got an invite to the IMS class... even though I was supposed to be back on do-not-call. Hoping for March, now! mute fucked around with this message at 19:11 on Nov 26, 2012 |
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Nov 26, 2012 18:16
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I can't even keep track anymore. I remember when VileRat and I were the only FS folk on here, or at least the only ones who talked about it much. Makes me miss him but it's great to see the Goon FS family growing.
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Nov 26, 2012 18:51
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I have another general diplomacy question : In what order are these people ranked? -Vice Consul -Deputy Director General -Director Does it vary by country? I tried to look at Wikipedia but the articles were pretty vague.
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Nov 27, 2012 04:43
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hitension posted:I have another general diplomacy question : The first one is a consular rank. The other two would be administrative positions, sometimes ranks, depending on the country. The USA uses the first and the third, but not the second. If people bearing all three titles arrived at a party, the rough order of priority would be, in descending importance, Deputy Director General, Director, Vice Consul. There would be exceptions; the Director of the American Institute of Taiwan, for example, is an ambassador equivalent. But most common in USG terms is for director to signify the head of an office or staff.
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Nov 27, 2012 05:10
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The last two are from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office; does that make a difference?
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Nov 27, 2012 05:20
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A deputy director general will almost always outrank a director.
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Nov 27, 2012 05:47
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hitension posted:I have another general diplomacy question : Vice Consul is a diplomatic rank; similar how other officers hold diplomatic rank of First Secretary, Second Secretary, Third Secretary, etc. The other two are office titles, but at least in this country, they have "hidden meaning". A DG is almost always the chief of a working level office that reports directly to a Minister. A director, at least locally, typically does not report directly to a minister. He may report to a DG, or he may report to a state (essentially deputy) minister. As a result, in 99.999% of cases (I can only think of one exception), in this country, a deputy DG is a higher ranking official with more authority than a Director. Example: the civil aviation authority chief is a DG, and he reports to the Minister of Transportation. The head of air traffic control is a director, and reports to the CAA chief (the DG). If there was a deputy DG, he'd be in the middle.
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Nov 27, 2012 06:42
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Well, no luck on the QEP for the IMS position for me. Odd since I went through the whole process back in 2002 and was offered a position I had to turn down. I'll keep trying though! I will take the FSO test in February and see if I have better luck with that QEP.
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Dec 2, 2012 22:49
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So, I've been lurking & reading through this thread for quite a while now, and I'm pretty much set on getting having a career as an FSO; the consular track in particular.. but, I only just got my bachelors [liberal studies, language emphasis], and I'm wondering how realistic it is for someone just out of college to pass everything and get in? I understand it usually takes multiple attempts & most people applying already have a fairly impressive resume.. Assuming I don't pass the first time around, what's thought to be the best course of action to take during the down time -continue on with grad school, teach abroad, etc?
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Dec 3, 2012 00:04
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lovely26 posted:Assuming I don't pass the first time around, what's thought to be the best course of action to take during the down time -continue on with grad school, teach abroad, etc? I'm not speaking from experience but this sounds like a very dangerous line of thinking. You can't predict what the government will do and no matter what you achieve you might never get a job in the foreign service (EX: they might reduce staff, you might fail some background screen). I think you would be much better served to plan out a career that does not rely on a single entity for employment. I'm not trying to disuade you from your dream but suggest you think more strategically. If nothing else when you get into an interview for this position and they ask your career goals I think you would be a more viable candidate if you didn't sound like you only had a career plan with them.
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Dec 3, 2012 07:49
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lovely26 posted:Assuming I don't pass the first time around, what's thought to be the best course of action to take during the down time -continue on with grad school, teach abroad, etc? The best suggestion given that I've seen: Do what you would do if DoS wasn't even a consideration. Think about it like this--it could take years from first applying until you are finally accepted, pass all clearance, and finally get called off the register. You don't want to be doing something you wouldn't otherwise want to do for all that time. mute fucked around with this message at 08:05 on Dec 3, 2012 |
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Dec 3, 2012 07:58
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lovely26 posted:So, I've been lurking & reading through this thread for quite a while now, and I'm pretty much set on getting having a career as an FSO; the consular track in particular.. but, I only just got my bachelors [liberal studies, language emphasis], and I'm wondering how realistic it is for someone just out of college to pass everything and get in? I understand it usually takes multiple attempts & most people applying already have a fairly impressive resume.. Assuming I don't pass the first time around, what's thought to be the best course of action to take during the down time -continue on with grad school, teach abroad, etc? Is it possible to get in straight out of college? Yes. Is it likely? No. The best way to prepare yourself for the FS is to have a regular work resume that shows breadth and depth of experiences and skills.
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Dec 3, 2012 08:27
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I'd say less than 10% of my A-100 class came in straight out of college.
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Dec 3, 2012 11:46
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Diplomaticus posted:I'd say less than 10% of my A-100 class came in straight out of college. Yeah, most of the students I see walking around are in the 24-27 year old age range.
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Dec 3, 2012 13:48
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Arrived at post, Yay. Category 7 Typhoon's on the way! IMS "extra duties?" Guess who's assigned! 
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Dec 4, 2012 02:15
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Skandiaavity posted:Arrived at post, Yay. Overtime, woot woot!! Get that kudos folder up and running in your .pst files...
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Dec 4, 2012 12:37
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psydude posted:Yeah, most of the students I see walking around are in the 24-27 year old age range. When I see the new kids at the Embassy, it makes me feel about a hundred years old. 24-27, Lord. When I joined USAID, the youngest person in my 65-person class was 28.
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Dec 4, 2012 19:27
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pamchenko posted:When I see the new kids at the Embassy, it makes me feel about a hundred years old. 24-27, Lord. When I joined USAID, the youngest person in my 65-person class was 28. What would you say is the average age of someone coming into the FS? This would be including Generalists and Specialists if there is no disparity there in terms of the age of the folks coming in, in their respective areas.
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Dec 4, 2012 20:06
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Well this has been a fun day. Not sarcastically, but legitimate fun. 
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Dec 4, 2012 21:08
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Global Critter posted:What would you say is the average age of someone coming into the FS? This would be including Generalists and Specialists if there is no disparity there in terms of the age of the folks coming in, in their respective areas. When I did my BEX for DS earlier they told me I was below the average age of most applicants. I am 28.
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Dec 4, 2012 21:15
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Global Critter posted:What would you say is the average age of someone coming into the FS?
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Dec 5, 2012 02:55
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Vasudus posted:When I did my BEX for DS earlier they told me I was below the average age of most applicants. I am 28. This is good to hear. With no F/LEO experience, it's still good to know that DS still accepts people with my relative level of life and professional experience. I couldn't imagine applying to DS straight out of college, based on the normative qualifications they're looking for.
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Dec 5, 2012 05:57
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HiroProtagonist posted:This is good to hear. With no F/LEO experience, it's still good to know that DS still accepts people with my relative level of life and professional experience. Yeah, I don't see people being able to qualify remotely until probably 24-25. I just don't see anyone younger able to answer the questions. I'm sure it's been done, maybe.
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Dec 5, 2012 06:16
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Global Critter posted:What would you say is the average age of someone coming into the FS? This would be including Generalists and Specialists if there is no disparity there in terms of the age of the folks coming in, in their respective areas. There are field-related requirments for Specialists so they're generally a bit older than FSOs. I was 29 when I came in as an IMS but the average was probably more like 40. New-hire FSOs are generally in their early thrities in my experience.
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Dec 5, 2012 10:09
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HiroProtagonist posted:This is good to hear. With no F/LEO experience, it's still good to know that DS still accepts people with my relative level of life and professional experience. While not the norm, it happens more than you think.
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Dec 5, 2012 13:45
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AKA Pseudonym posted:There are field-related requirments for Specialists so they're generally a bit older than FSOs. I was 29 when I came in as an IMS but the average was probably more like 40. New-hire FSOs are generally in their early thrities in my experience. I was one of the youngest in my IMS class at 25.
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Dec 5, 2012 14:21
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AKA Pseudonym posted:There are field-related requirments for Specialists so they're generally a bit older than FSOs. I was 29 when I came in as an IMS but the average was probably more like 40. New-hire FSOs are generally in their early thrities in my experience. What field-related requirements are these? The only requirements I'm aware of are from the job applications that indicate someone could join as an IMS with a few years of IT experience. For any current IMS, do you think more experience and older IMS make better specialist? What would you say is indicative of success as an IMS when it comes to peoples prior work experience and personality? I'm trying to get a better feel for the type of people that join.
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Dec 6, 2012 04:24
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problematique posted:What field-related requirements are these? The only requirements I'm aware of are from the job applications that indicate someone could join as an IMS with a few years of IT experience. That's the kind of experience he's referring to. Contrast that with the fact that there is literally no experience or higher education requirement for generalists.
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Dec 6, 2012 10:39
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