Besides selecting a career track, it is possible to develop a regional expertise, especially if one is fluent in one or more languages?

  Over the course of a Foreign Service career, an FSO will develop regional or substantive specialties, while at the same time developing broad experience in a number of different skill sets. In order to compete eventually for promotion into the Senior Foreign Service, FSOs are expected to serve in a mix of completed domestic and overseas assignments with demonstrated regional and substantive expertise, including service in two separate bureaus after tenure. 

2022-04-10T13:06:57-04:00

How are Foreign Service Officers/Generalists mentored during their careers?

At each stage in your career, there are many opportunities for being mentored. There are mentoring processes. You can locate the Diplomat in Residence who is nearest you and contact that person by phone or e-mail. They will be happy to discuss your questions with you. Once you join an orientation class you will have a formal Career Counselor as well as an assigned mentor from a group of volunteer mentors. You’ll get lots of advice and guidance throughout your career.

2023-05-15T11:17:46-04:00

When do candidates for Foreign Service Generalist choose a career track?

Candidates to join the Department of State as Foreign Service Officers/Generalists are required to choose one of five career tracks (Consular, Economic, Management, Political, or Public Diplomacy) when they register for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). The Department collects this career track information for workforce planning purposes, so as to accurately assess a candidate’s background and qualifications throughout the selection process. Candidates are urged to research and consider carefully the options before they choose.
While all FSOs are known as “generalists”, the choice of a functional specialization will determine what type of work you will do for the majority of your career. You can get more details about each career track by going to the Officer Career Track page.

2025-04-28T15:10:15-04:00

Can you give me an idea of the average time frame for completing the security clearance process? 

A security clearance can take anywhere from a couple months to more than a year depending on the particular circumstances candidates should be aware that the clearance process may take longer to complete if they, lived, worked, or were educated in a variety of locations, as this increases the number of places where references and records must be checked.  Any potential security concerns as listed in SEAD 4 (linked above) may also take longer to mitigate, depending on the complexity.  For more information, visit https://www.state.gov/security-clearances.

2023-05-15T11:30:38-04:00

How do felonies or drug use affect security clearances? 

Security clearances are adjudicated by examining the candidate’s history from a variety of sources, to include references that are identified via DS and court and police records. While criminal and drug history are relevant to the adjudication of a security clearance, there are also factors that mitigate such concerns, such as the amount of time that has passed, and the circumstances under which the behavior occurred, and likelihood of recurrence.  For more information, visit https://www.state.gov/security-clearances. 

2022-04-10T12:57:25-04:00

Will my current employer be contacted during the background investigation? What if I don’t want them to know I’m applying for other jobs? 

If you do not want your current employer contacted, you need to advise the Clearance Coordinator who contacts you regarding the completion of your SF-86, and/or annotate it on the SF-86 under that employment entry. While efforts will be made to  work with you before contacting any current employment references, it is required that your current employment is verified. The absence of an employment verification will result in your case being adjudicated without satisfying investigative standards. This may result in DS’s inability to consider your eligibility for access to classified information, and may compel DS to err on the side of national security and deny access to sensitive and/or classified information. 

2022-04-10T12:56:20-04:00

How long does it take for an intern to get a security clearance? What is involved? 

Students tentatively selected for the internship program must undergo a background investigation and receive the appropriate security determination, typically either a Secret or Top Secret security clearance. The clearance process takes approximately 60-120 days to complete from the time you submit your forms to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS). Investigations may take substantially longer than 120 if there is a security, suitability, or medical issue to resolve. In part, these issues could include current or past illegal drug use, to include marijuana, or alcohol abuse, criminal conduct, or a recent history of financial/credit problems.  For more information, visit https://www.state.gov/security-clearances. 

2022-04-10T12:55:47-04:00

I have a Top Secret security clearance now. If I pass all the testing and assessment stages for the Foreign Service, would I be eligible for a job immediately?

Your entire file will be reviewed to determine your suitability for appointment to the Foreign Service before you are offered a job. Even if your current Top Secret security clearance is valid, updated background investigation may be required to ensure the Suitability Review Panel has current data to make their determination.  These determinations require background investigations that have been completed within the past three years.

2023-04-10T16:12:22-04:00
Go to Top