What is the Lateral Entry Pilot Program?
For questions related to the Lateral Entry Pilot Program, please see more details here: Lateral Entry Pilot Program
Can I use ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence tools to assist in drafting application and assessment responses?
- The Department of State prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application materials to include responses to questions in which candidates must provide a narrative response. Candidates must create their own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. The Department analyzes candidate submissions for plagiarism and will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this plagiarism policy.
- While the Department of State encourages candidates to create their narratives with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses. The Department will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application process.
Is having foreign language skills useful in the Foreign Service application process?
You do not have to speak a foreign language to apply and be selected for a Foreign Service career. In some cases, you can add points to your final score and place on the Register by demonstrating proficiency in certain languages. We score language skills on a 0 to 5 scale. See below:
Students: Language Proficiency Definitions
| Language Proficiency Definitions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Proficiency Code | Speaking Definitions | Reading Definitions |
| 0 – No Practical Proficiency | No practical speaking proficiency. | No practical reading proficiency. |
| 1 – Elementary Proficiency | Able to satisfy routine travel needs and minimum courtesy requirements | Able to read some personal and place names, street signs, office and shop designations, numbers and isolated words and phrases |
| 2 – Limited Working Proficiency | Able to satisfy routine social demands and limited work requirements | Able to read simple prose, in a form equivalent to typescript or printing, on subjects within a familiar context |
| 3 – Minimum Professional Proficiency | Able to speak the language with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectively in most formal and informal conversations on practical, social, and professional topics | Able to read standard newspaper items addressed to the general reader, routine correspondence, reports, and technical materials in the individual’s special field. |
| 4 – Full Professional Proficiency | Able to use the language fluently and accurately on all levels pertinent to professional needs. | Able to read all styles and forms of the language pertinent to professional needs. |
| 5 – Native or Bilingual Proficiency | Equivalent to that of an educated native speaker. | Equivalent to that of an educated native. |
Many of the Specialists seem to fall under the management area of responsibility. Do Foreign Service Management Officers have supervisory responsibilities over these Specialists?
Management Officers do oversee many of the specialist positions, but not all. Office Management Specialists, Diplomatic Security Service Specialists, Regional Public Engagement Specialists and Regional English Language Officers are some of the exceptions, and report directly to other officers.
Do Foreign Service Specialists receive training?
Yes, there is an initial orientation lasting three weeks followed by additional specialized training lasting up to 17 weeks, depending on the job specialty.
Does a Foreign Service Specialist candidate have to take the Foreign Service Specialist Assessment
Yes, candidates for all Foreign Service Specialist positions take the specialist assessment, and most are conducted virtually. All Foreign Service Specialist assessments share common elements and are judged according to the same dimensions, but there are some differences in the exam according to the specialty. Please review the Steps to Becoming a Foreign Service Specialist for more information on the Specialist Assessment. . Please review the Steps to Becoming a Foreign Service Specialist for more information on the Specialist Assessment.
Does a Foreign Service Specialist candidate have to take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)
No. The hiring process is different for Foreign Service Specialists. For more information, visit the Seven Steps to Becoming a Foreign Service Specialist page on careers.state.gov
Is there an age limit for Foreign Service Specialists
Yes. You must be at least 20 years old to apply and 21 years old to be appointed. For most positions you must be appointed prior to age 60 (preference-eligible veterans excepted). Diplomatic Security Foreign Service Special Agents must be appointed before they reach age 37 (preference-eligible veterans excepted).
What does a Foreign Service Specialist do?
The U.S. Department of State offers career opportunities to professionals in specialized functions needed to meet Foreign Service responsibilities around the world. Foreign Service Specialist jobs are grouped into eight major categories : Administration, Construction Engineering, Facility Management, Information Technology, International
Information and English Language Programs, Medical and Health, Office Management, and Law Enforcement and Security. Click on the link to learn about the different positions within each category: /career-paths/foreign-service/specialist/fss-career-tracks/
How can I prepare for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)?
To prepare for the FSOT, the Department of State recommends you have a broad academic foundation, intellectual curiosity, and good writing skills.
The Department offers a number of helpful resources including a Foreign Service Officer Test practice exam found on our Careers.state.gov site
as well as a Suggested Reading List on our Careers.state.gov website.
Candidates seeking information about positions at the U.S. Department of State may wish to contact the Diplomat in Residence responsible for their geographic area. Full information on the Diplomats in Residence Program, including contact details, is available under the Connect Tab