How to Become an American Foreign Diplomat

An American foreign diplomat working for the United States Government serves in various positions in countries across the world promoting America's foreign policy. The Department of State handles all Foreign Service appointments, so that should be your first stop in deciding if you want to become a diplomat.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. See whether you meet the basic qualifications. You must be a U.S. citizen aged 20 to 59 on the day you apply (at least 21 and no older than 60 on your first day of employment). A college degree is not necessary, but will qualify you for higher salaries. Most importantly, you must be willing to relocate to foreign countries around the world, including dangerous and undeveloped areas.

2. Examine your life, both past and present. To become a foreign diplomat, your entire life will be examined, so you can obtain the proper security clearance. A history of credit problems (unpaid bills, excessive debt, failure to repay student loans) is the number one reason people are disqualified for service, with a criminal record falling close behind. Since the background check is at the end of the process, you should consider these disqualifying factors before you submit an application.

3. Study for the foreign service exam. While your grammar and English will be tested, you should spend some time learning about the skills needed to perform the tasks required of Foreign Service Officers. Questions cover American government and society, math, economics, world history, legislation and computers, among other topics. Study guides are available.

4. Register for the foreign service officer test (see Resources below). Rolling registration begins in July of each year. The initial registration process includes filling out an application and submitting a personal narrative (essay questions).

5. Wait for your invitation email to register for a test date. Only 5,000 seats are available each year for the test. You can choose a date after you submit the initial application and it is approved. Invitations are sent on a first come, first served basis.

6. Take the test, which will be examined along with your initial application by a qualifications evaluation panel. The panel decides whether you have what it takes to become an American diplomat. They may pass you onto the next level, which is an oral exam.

7. Take the all-day oral assessment if you qualify. Scheduling begins about 12 weeks after the written test, with the first appointments falling at about 14 weeks.

8. Complete a medical exam and undergo the background check as the last steps of the applications process. You will be notified if you qualify for appointment after the oral assessment, and the authorities will begin the investigation process. The background check can take anywhere from 60 days to a full year.

9. Visit the Foreign Service Officer informational site offered by the Department of State (see Resources below). The entire application process is clearly defined and most questions you will have are answered there.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you qualify to become an American diplomat, you may not be offered a job. Usually, more registrants qualify each year than openings exist.

Resources

• Foreign Service Officer employment
• Foreign Service Officer test