The Foreign Service is looking for employees who represent the depth and breadth of the United States, and we expect new hires will bring unique skills and life experiences. Those who come to the Foreign Service with decades of experience will have opportunities to share that experience, but they are entry level employees on par with other entry level employees who may not have as many years of experience.  The mix of new employees can greatly enrich teams at posts, and most of these second- and third-career new hires find the experience richly rewarding.

Employment opportunities for legally married spouses vary by country of assignment. The Department’s Global Community Liaison Office maintains a listing of job opportunities at most posts and may be contacted directly once an assignment is known. The Department also has a growing number of “tandem couples” in which both spouses work for a foreign affairs agency of the U.S. government.

Yes. Each overseas post has an Orientation Program for all new arrivals at post. New arrivals are also assigned a “sponsor,” an official sponsor at work, as well as a community sponsor who matches the new employee’s interests and family composition.  Additionally, many posts run mentoring programs for first and second tour employees, usually managed by the Deputy Chief of Mission at post.

Yes, certainly. They might opt to bring their own car, or they might buy one from a departing colleague when they arrive at post, or through a diplomatic sales option once they have arrived at post – if available. There are a number of possibilities. Just keep in mind you are limited by certain restrictions – right-hand drive cars, sometimes limitations on retractable headlights, emissions, age or color of vehicle etc. All of this information about a particular country’s requirements is readily available to you once hired.

U.S. diplomats are well exposed to local culture both in the workplace and beyond.   You will have lots of opportunity to engage with the local community at your post and to enjoy the local culture.  You are representing the United States at all times; however and must comport yourself appropriately.

This will all depend on your assignment location, family status and size (i.e., single, married, single with kids, etc.), and whether the post is a limited- or full-shipment post. You should consider bringing things that will make your home overseas your personal home. You will have information on what to bring to specific countries readily available to you during orientation.

Only U.S. citizens may apply for an appointment to the career Foreign Service. A candidate must be a U.S. citizen on the date an application to the Foreign Service is submitted (for Generalists), or upon applying to fill a vacancy announcement (for Specialists).   

No, you cannot use college language courses to gain language points.  Any language points added to a candidate’s Foreign Service Officer  Assessment score are based on the results of testing conducted by the Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute.

There is no set educational level or specific major of field of study required to become a Foreign Service Officer (Generalist). Some Foreign Service Specialist positions do have degree requirements. Foreign language skills are not required for Generalists or Specialists but are required for the Consular Fellows Program. You can improve your assessment score by demonstrating proficiency in foreign languages.

To prepare for the exams, we recommend you have a broad academic foundation, intellectual curiosity, and good writing skills. We offer a number of helpful resources including a Foreign Service Officer Test practice test
https://careers.state.gov/fsopracticetest/.