Foreign Service Officer
and Specialist Attributes

Talent

What qualities do we seek in Foreign Service Officer and specialist candidates?

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following dimensions that reflect the skills, abilities, and personal qualities deemed essential to the work of the Foreign Service at the United States Department of State.

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FSS Dimensions Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

To discern what is appropriate, practical, and realistic in a given situation; to weigh relative merits of competing demands using sound judgment; to consider multiple points of view when making recommendations; to formulate creative alternatives or solutions to resolve problems; to show flexible and innovative thinking/problem solving.

FSS Dimensions Cultural Adaptability

Cultural Adaptability

To work and communicate effectively and harmoniously with persons of other cultures, value systems, political beliefs, and economic circumstances; to recognize and respect differences in new and different cultural environments.

FSS Dimensions Experience and Motivation

Experience & Motivation

To demonstrate knowledge, skills or other attributes gained from previous experience of relevance to the Foreign Service; to articulate appropriate motivation for joining the Foreign Service.

FSS Dimensions Information Integration and Analysis

Information Integration & Analysis

To evaluate the importance, reliability, and usefulness of information; to distill relevant details from available information; to absorb and retain complex information drawn from a variety of sources; to synthesize and analyze available information; to recognize patterns or trends and draw reasoned conclusions from data.

FSS Dimensions Leadership

Leadership

To recognize and assume responsibility for work that needs to be done; to persist in the completion of a task; to influence a group’s activity or direction significantly; to motivate others to participate in the activity one is leading.

FSS Dimensions Negotiation

Negotiation

To recognize divergent and overlapping interests; to recognize advantages and disadvantages of agreement and available options; to advocate, influence and/or persuade others using information, facts, and reasoning rather than emotion; to resolve disagreements; to maintain or develop mutually beneficial working relationships with counterparts in the process.

FSS Dimensions Objectivity Integrity

Objectivity / Integrity

To be fair and honest to all employees and keep an open mind; to present issues frankly; to analyze facts and data effectively, without interjecting bias; to be consistent in words and actions; to be dependable.

FSS Dimensions Planning and Organizing

Planning & Organizing

To prioritize and order tasks effectively, to employ a systematic approach to achieving objectives, to make appropriate use of limited resources.

FSS Dimensions Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills

To present fluently in a concise, grammatically correct, organized, and precise manner; to think on one’s feet, adjusting quickly to changing situations; to convey key elements and nuances of meaning accurately; to respond to questions from others effectively; to use appropriate styles of communication to fit the audience and purpose.

FSS Dimensions Teamwork

Teamwork

To interact in a constructive, cooperative, and harmonious manner toward a common goal; to work effectively as a team player; to establish positive relationships and gain the confidence of others; to ease tension as appropriate.

FSS Dimensions Written Communication

Written Communication

To write concisely yet comprehensively; to use clear arguments and facts; to use correct grammar and syntax; to use appropriate vocabulary to promote understanding.

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Talent