How to get a job working for the United States Department of State
There are several ways to pursue a rewarding career working for the U.S. State Department. This article has some strategies you may not see elsewhere. Do you have what it takes to enter the field of international diplomacy?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Assess whether a career with the U.S. State Department is for you. Do you want to primarily work in Washington, DC? If so, you will want to go the civil service route. Would you like to live most of your career abroad as a diplomat? Then you might want to apply for the Foreign Service. Do you have political connections or did you or a member of your family contribute substantial amounts of money to the Democratic Party? If so, you could try to go the political appointee route.
State Department employees need to undergo background investigations. Some require high level security clearances, which means tougher background checks.
-
2
The Foreign Service Route. Foreign Service officers are the U.S. professional diplomatic corps. They run U.S. embassies and are the face of the United States abroad.
To be eligible to apply for the US Foreign Service, you must be:
-- A U.S. citizen on the date you submit your registration package;
-- At least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age on the day you submit your registration package;
-- At least 21 years old and not yet 60 on the day you are appointed as a Foreign Service Officer, and
-- Available for worldwide assignments, including Washington, D.C.There are several career disciplines in the Foreign Service you will chose from if you pass the application process. They are:
Management officers, who administer embassies;
Consular officers, who help Americans abroad and process passports and visas;
Economic officers, who promote U.S. economic and trade interests abroad;
Political officers; who staff regional bureaus and most embassy posts; and
Public Diplomacy officers, who work on global outreach.To apply for the Foreign Service, you must take the Foreign Service exam, which is offered quarterly. Follow the instructions on the State Department website. (See link below) Note that the registration deadlines for the June 6-13, 2009 test dates are June 1 for applicants outside the United States and June 4 for applicants in the U.S.
The test is difficult and the competition is tough. It is advisable that you purchase the Foreign Service test study guide from the State Department website. Most university International Relations Departments can help you prepare and may be able to put you in touch with alumni who passed the test.
If you pass the Foreign Service test, you will fill out a personnel narrative and qualifications review. If this is accepted by the Department, you will be asked to attend an "oral assessment," which includes interviews and group exercises. If you pass this, you will need to pass security and medical testing. After this, a "Final Review Panel" decides on whether to offer you a position with the Foreign Service.
-
-
3
The Civil Service route. Thousands of people work in State Department civil service jobs, mostly in Washington. They range from civil service ambassadors to drivers to secretaries. You can find these jobs advertised at http://www.usajobs.gov/ Applicants apply online. They will need a security clearance. The stringent medical requirements that apply to Foreign Service officers do not apply to many civil service jobs.
Civil Service special jobs usually require good grades and sometimes special skills. The State Department needs engineers, accountants, security officers, biologists, nuclear scientists, lingists, and many other experts. Veterans preferences apply to State Department civil service job vacancies.
-
4
The Political Route. There are hundreds of political positions at State. The better known political positions are prestigious ambassadorships that often go to wealthy contributors. To get such posts, a person needs to weigh in with a U.S Senator and/or someone close to the White House or Secretary Clinton.
There are many mid-level and entry level political positions at State that often go to people with political connections. Frequently, these connections mean you simply worked on a political campaign. (Note that in 2009 this means Democratic campaigns.) These jobs are usually unadvertised. Although they are not career assignments, if President Obama is reelected, you could in theory hold a political job at State until January 2017. To be considered for these jobs, you need to get a well-written resume to the Office of Presidential Personnel. Apply at https://app2.whitehouse.gov/ppo/ To increase your chances, see if you can get a Democratic Member of Congress to call or write a letter of recommendation. Selections for these positions are often made by senior political appointees at State, which are slowing being filled right now. Since these new appointees will to hire need staff, keep up with new confirmations and write to these officials and their staffs ASAP. Make sure you also have your major supporters call and write them. See below for links with nomination and confirmation information.
-
5
Internships and Fellowships. Another way to get a permanent State Deparment job is by getting your foot in the door with an internship or fellowship. Internships usally go to college students; fellowships go to graduate students or professionals in other fields. Many are hired permanently when their 1-3 year tours are done. Consult the State Department website for details.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
These jobs are highly competitive. Make sure that any written materials you submit are well-written.
Make sure you thoroughly prepare for interviews. Find out about the State official interviewing you and what his or her office does. Have a clear and compelling answer for the question: "So why do you want to work for the State Department?"
