A safe bet is to consider the whole process, from your decision to apply to when you are offered the job, to take an
average of 1.5 years
.
Is it hard to become a foreign service officer?
The search for extraordinary U.S. citizens to serve as Foreign Service Officers is intense and the qualifying process is rigorous, demanding and highly competitive. If you are interested in becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO), you must first
register
for and take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT).
How long is foreign service officer training?
Training. The class ranges from
five to six weeks long
and typically has between 75 and 100 students.
How hard is the Foreign Service Officer test?
The FSOT is a very challenging exam with a low pass-rate (
hovering between just 30% and 50% of test takers
). So you should not underestimate the need to study for this test. … In addition to a great overview of all the subjects, it provides a straightforward and highly-effective plan for using your study time well.
What qualifications do you need to be a foreign service?
To enter the Foreign Service, you must be an American citizen between the ages of 20 and 59 and, although there is no educational requirement to become a Foreign Service officer, the vast majority of applicants hold a
bachelor’s degree or higher
.
Do foreign service officers pay for housing?
Foreign Service Officers who live in government-sponsored housing
do not pay rent
, nor do they pay for basic utilities, except for personal telephone service. At overseas posts where the government neither owns nor leases accommodations, Foreign Service Officers are given a Living Quarters Allowance.
How much do US diplomats get paid?
The salaries of Foreign Diplomats in the US range from
$68,600 to $187,200
, with a median salary of $175,110 . The middle 50% of Foreign Diplomats makes $111,040, with the top 75% making $187,200.
What is a passing score for the FSOT?
What’s a good score on the FSOT? A passing score is a good score. Passing is
154 and above on the multiple choice and 6 or above on the essay
. You’ll get your results about 3 weeks after taking the test.
Do ambassadors have to speak the language?
Although
American diplomats are not required to speak any languages other than English
upon joining the service, we are required to become fluent in at least one foreign language within the first five years.
Do foreign service officers pay taxes?
If you are a U. S. citizen working for the US Government, including the Foreign Service, and you are stationed abroad, your income tax filing requirements are generally the same as those for citizens and residents living in the United States.
You are taxed on your worldwide income
, even though you live and work abroad.
What degree do you need to work at an embassy?
You will be assessed on your resilience, cultural sensitivity and knowledge of international affairs. Educational requirements to work in an embassy are flexible, but the vast majority of Foreign Service Officers (FSO) have
at least a bachelor’s degree
, according to the Princeton Review.
Is a diplomat the same thing as a foreign service officer?
There are two diplomat tracks within the U.S. foreign service. Someone can become either a
foreign service officer
, which involves advocating for the U.S. and its citizens, or a foreign service specialist, who provides critical logistical support for diplomatic operations.
Do foreign service officers choose where they go?
At this point in their careers, FSOs can settle into a
niche area of foreign service
and tailor their future placements to fit their unique interests and abilities. For example, some foreign service officers choose to focus the remainder of their time in the field working with a specific country or region.
Is Foreign Service Officer a good job?
A career with the Foreign Service may appear glamorous: worldwide travel, government-paid housing, generous pay and benefits. In some instances, though, working as a Foreign Service Officer can be very challenging and sometimes dangerous. During this career you can expect to be assigned to hardship posts.
