1. Represent America to the World with the U.S. Department of State

2. History of the U.S. Department of State The oldest cabinet agency (1789) (1789) Thomas Jefferson was Thomas Jefferson was the first Secretary of the first Secretary of State State

3. The Secretary of State leads the Department of State team that The Secretary of State leads the Department of State team that: Serves as the principal advisor to the President on foreign policy issues Serves as the principal advisor to the President on foreign policy issues Coordinates foreign policy issues for the U.S. government Coordinates foreign policy issues for the U.S. government Implements the President's foreign policy decisions and programs Implements the President's foreign policy decisions and programs Protects U.S. interests abroad Protects U.S. interests abroad John F. Kerry

4. Who We Are Approximately 70,000 employees 13,800 Foreign Service Americans 13,800 Foreign Service Americans – 8,000 Generalists – 5,800 Specialists 10,800 Civil Service 10,800 Civil Service 45,350 Foreign Service Nationals (non-US citizen employees at overseas missions) 45,350 Foreign Service Nationals (non-US citizen employees at overseas missions)

5. Where We Are More than 270 posts abroad in 190 countries More than 270 posts abroad in 190 countries Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Passport agencies and various field offices are located throughout the U.S. Passport agencies and various field offices are located throughout the U.S.

6. Where We Are in the World Blue: WHA, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Green: NEA, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Purple: SCA, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Orange: AF, Bureau of African Affairs Pink: EUR, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Yellow: EAP, Bureau of East Asian and Yellow: EAP, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

7. Organization of an Embassy President Ambassador/ Chief of Mission Deputy Chief of Mission Regional Security Office (DS) Management Consular Human Resources Financial Management Logistics Information Systems Medical Community Liaison Refugees Notarials Immigration Citizenship/Passports Arrest Cases Death Cases Federal Benefits American Citizens’ Services Visas AID Commerce Agriculture DOD Attaches Others: Customs, DEA, Energy, EPA, FAA, FBI, Peace Corps, Secret Service, etc. Domestics Politics Trade Human Rights Finance Arms Control Issues EnvironmentNarcoticsEnergyTelecommunications Economics/Political WASHINGTON IN COUNTRY Secretary of State Public Diplomacy Press Culture Exchanges Online Library Cultural Center Other Agencies Diplomatic Security: for USG people, offices, schools, housing. Security liaison with host government & USG law enforcement agencies

8. Student Programs Student Programs Civil Service Civil Service Foreign Service Specialists Foreign Service Specialists Foreign Service Officers Foreign Service Officers Now that you know about us, How Can You Work at State ?

9. U.S. Department of State Student Internships (unpaid) – Summer, Fall, and Spring in Washington, D.C. and abroad (Also Known as the Student Experience)U.S. Department of State Student Internships (unpaid) – Summer, Fall, and Spring in Washington, D.C. and abroad (Also Known as the Student Experience) Pathways Program (paid) – three types of Pathways appointments: (1) Internship, (2) Internship Trainee, (3) Summer ClericalPathways Program (paid) – three types of Pathways appointments: (1) Internship, (2) Internship Trainee, (3) Summer Clerical Visit careers.state.gov for details Student Programs

10. Fellowships Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF):Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF):www.pmf.opm.gov Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs/Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program:Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs/Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program:www.woodrow.org Charles B. Rangel Fellowship Program:Charles B. Rangel Fellowship Program:www.howard.edu/rjb/rangelprogram.htm

11. Majority of Civil Service positions are in the United StatesMajority of Civil Service positions are in the United States The Civil Service and Foreign Service both perform the same variety of functions in Washington, DC. However, the selection processes and career patterns are very differentThe Civil Service and Foreign Service both perform the same variety of functions in Washington, DC. However, the selection processes and career patterns are very different There are two ways to apply to the Civil Service:There are two ways to apply to the Civil Service: Apply for a particular job online through USAJobs (www.usajobs.opm.gov)Apply for a particular job online through USAJobs (www.usajobs.opm.gov) There are a limited number of entry-level positions for the Civil Service. The best tactic is to apply for all jobs for which you qualify.There are a limited number of entry-level positions for the Civil Service. The best tactic is to apply for all jobs for which you qualify. Under various Executive Orders and legislation, certain groups can obtain non-competitive appointments to the Civil Service (i.e. persons with disabilities, Returning Peace Corps Volunteers, Americorps, etc.).Under various Executive Orders and legislation, certain groups can obtain non-competitive appointments to the Civil Service (i.e. persons with disabilities, Returning Peace Corps Volunteers, Americorps, etc.). Civil Service

12. Access USAJobs through the careers.state.gov website to see State Department jobsAccess USAJobs through the careers.state.gov website to see State Department jobs Familiarize yourself with www.USAJobs.govFamiliarize yourself with www.USAJobs.gov Create an account, including a profile & resumeCreate an account, including a profile & resume Create search agent for email notificationCreate search agent for email notification Search widely, using different criteriaSearch widely, using different criteria Identify the jobs you wantIdentify the jobs you want Check grade level and Who May ApplyCheck grade level and Who May Apply Review vacancy announcement carefullyReview vacancy announcement carefully Confirm that you have necessary qualificationsConfirm that you have necessary qualifications Civil Service Tips

13. Follow the application instructions carefullyFollow the application instructions carefully Log into your USAJobs account to check application status, and follow up a few weeks after announcement closesLog into your USAJobs account to check application status, and follow up a few weeks after announcement closes General Schedule (GS) Guidelines for grade and qualifying education: GS-5Bachelor’s Degree GS-73.0 GPA upon completion of B.A. OR 1 year of Graduate-level education GS-9Master’s Degree, LLB, or JD GS-11Ph.D. or 3 years graduate education Civil Service Tips

14. Competitive salaries with locality payCompetitive salaries with locality pay Paid federal holidaysPaid federal holidays Annual and sick leaveAnnual and sick leave Health/Life InsuranceHealth/Life Insurance Retirement system includes pension, Social Security, and Thrift Savings Plan (401k with 5% match by USG)Retirement system includes pension, Social Security, and Thrift Savings Plan (401k with 5% match by USG) Flexible Spending Accounts (pre-tax medical and child care funds)Flexible Spending Accounts (pre-tax medical and child care funds) Student Loan Repayment ProgramStudent Loan Repayment Program Transit subsidiesTransit subsidies Flexible workplace/time arrangementsFlexible workplace/time arrangements Civil Service Benefits

15. Foreign Service Foreign Service Officers (Generalists) and Foreign Service Specialists promote U.S. interests and protect U.S. citizens at U.S. embassies and consulate posts overseas and in Washington, DC Foreign Service Officers (Generalists) and Foreign Service Specialists promote U.S. interests and protect U.S. citizens at U.S. embassies and consulate posts overseas and in Washington, DC Foreign Service Officers work in five broad career tracks Foreign Service Officers work in five broad career tracks  Foreign Service Specialists perform a variety of technical functions worldwide  Most of the Foreign Service career is spent overseas  Worldwide availability is a requirement

16. Twenty-two (22) specialties in:Twenty-two (22) specialties in: SecuritySecurity Administration (e.g. Human Resources, General Services/Logistics, Financial Management, Office Management)Administration (e.g. Human Resources, General Services/Logistics, Financial Management, Office Management) Construction Engineering & Facility ManagementConstruction Engineering & Facility Management Information TechnologyInformation Technology Medicine and HealthMedicine and Health Strong subject matter expertise requiredStrong subject matter expertise required Resume-based application processResume-based application process Specialized Oral Assessment Specialized Oral Assessment Foreign Service Specialists

17. Foreign Service Officers FSOs declare one of the following career tracks when applying: – Consular Affairs – Economic Affairs – Management Affairs – Political Affairs – Public Diplomacy FSOs must be flexible with their international assignments

18. How Do I Become an FSO? Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) Oral Assessment Medical & Security Clearances Orientation Class Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP) Career Track Register Final Review Panel

19. Register for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) Tests are given multiple times a year, with rolling registration throughout the year Tests are given multiple times a year, with rolling registration throughout the year Choose career track after consulting with a Diplomat-in-Residence. Choose career track after consulting with a Diplomat-in-Residence. Register online at careers.state.gov Register online at careers.state.gov The FSOT is given around the country and at overseas locations The FSOT is given around the country and at overseas locations

20. FSOT Information The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) includes: – Job-related knowledge, including U.S. and world history and culture, American and foreign systems of government, and basic principles of economics – English expression and usage – Biographic information questionnaire – Written essay (scored only if the applicant passes the multiple-choice portion of the exam)

21. FSOT Preparation It is expected that candidates will: – Be widely read and keep current on recent trends that may not be covered directly in a classroom environment – Read major newspapers and news magazines regularly Although current events are not tested directly, contemporary events may influence the topics selected for the knowledge areas and the written essay Although current events are not tested directly, contemporary events may influence the topics selected for the knowledge areas and the written essay.

22. General Knowledge Areas for FSOT  English Composition  Management  Comparative Politics  Economics  International Trade and Finance  U.S. History  U.S. Economic History  U.S. Political System  U.S. Social and Intellectual History  World Geography

23. Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP) If you pass the written test and the essay: You will receive an email asking you to submit a Personal Narrative in which you answer questions describing your experiences. The firm deadline for submission will be three weeks after the request is sent to you. You will receive an email asking you to submit a Personal Narrative in which you answer questions describing your experiences. The firm deadline for submission will be three weeks after the request is sent to you. The panel will take a comprehensive "total candidate" approach in evaluating your qualifications for the Foreign Service in the context of your chosen career track. The panel will take a comprehensive "total candidate" approach in evaluating your qualifications for the Foreign Service in the context of your chosen career track. The QEP determines which candidates are invited to the Oral Assessment. The QEP determines which candidates are invited to the Oral Assessment.

24. Oral Assessment Components: Components: – Group Exercise – Structured Interview – Case Management Written Exercise Held in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere in the U.S. Held in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere in the U.S. Successful candidates are placed on a ranked register for their chosen career track Successful candidates are placed on a ranked register for their chosen career track For more information and prep sessions contact your local Diplomats in Residence For more information and prep sessions contact your local Diplomats in Residence

25. The Oral Assessment is Based on 13 Dimensions Composure Composure Cultural Adaptability Cultural Adaptability Experience and Motivation Experience and Motivation Information Integration and Analysis Information Integration and Analysis Initiative and Leadership Initiative and Leadership Judgment Judgment Objectivity and Integrity Objectivity and Integrity Oral Communication Oral Communication Planning and Organizing Planning and Organizing Quantitative Analysis Quantitative Analysis Resourcefulness Resourcefulness Working with Others Working with Others Written Communication Written Communication

26. Key Reasons To Join the Foreign Service Public service Public service Overseas lifestyle Overseas lifestyle Challenging work Challenging work Lifelong learning Lifelong learning Constant variety and change Constant variety and change Learn foreign languages Learn foreign languages

27. Competitive Salary Competitive Salary Retirement plan at age 50 (with 20 years of service) Retirement plan at age 50 (with 20 years of service) Language and other Training Language and other Training Host country holidays (up to 20 total)* Host country holidays (up to 20 total)* Housing* Housing* Cost of Living Allowance* Cost of Living Allowance* Financial Incentives Financial Incentives Children's Education Allowance* Children's Education Allowance* Paid Home Leave* Paid Home Leave* Rest and recuperation travel* Rest and recuperation travel* Student Loan Repayment Program* Student Loan Repayment Program* Overseas only * Overseas only Foreign Service Benefits

28. Represent America to the World We seek a diverse group of talented Americans for the State Department, with experiences and perspectives in a variety of areas. All academic disciplines are useful in the U.S. Department of State.

29. Questions? careers.state.govcareers.state.gov Diplomats in Residence Diplomats in Residence Facebook Careers in Foreign Affairs GroupFacebook Careers in Foreign Affairs Group Facebook U.S. Department of State – Careers Fan PageFacebook U.S. Department of State – Careers Fan Page Twitter.com/doscareers or @doscareersTwitter.com/doscareers or @doscareers LinkedIn Careers in Diplomacy GroupLinkedIn Careers in Diplomacy Group