FSOT Prep #5: Job Knowledge Part of the Foreign Service Exam

[@khaledmamun8851]

Very informative.... Thank you sir, thanks for your service.

[@vanshikapherwani1991]

Thans for putting this together! Such a great resource

[@invictusmik]

Great video. I'm starting my FSOT, and FS application journey, and this video was an outstanding start.

[@morganstewart8105]

Thank you for these! Very helpful. You are wonderful :)

[@alexevans9852]

Thank you for the informative videos about the application process. I am finding them very useful for my preparation.

[@nhomachottv6575]

OMG I have a test this weekend

[@taimoorarif3908]

He is amazing!

[@michelle3401]

I believe that the Public Diplomacy Track fits me the best. However, I understand that the chance might be better to get in if I went with Management. Is that true? I’m very extroverted and don’t enjoy desk work as much as being out of the office and travel. Suggestion? Another issue I am 55 and plan to take the October FSOT test. I took it once before and passed but went to Japan to teach.

[@williamfitzgerald652]

Pick the career track you would enjoy the most. Some believe that Management or Consular cones have more openings or are less competitive than POL, ECON, and PD. I don't think that's true. If Public Diplomacy fits you the best, pick PD. Why be unhappy in a job even if it does get you overseas.

[@williamfitzgerald652]

On your age, I had someone who was 59 in my entering class, which gave her six years (2-3 tours) before she hit mandatory retirement at age 65. She had been a school teacher for 30 years before joining the Foreign Service and loved the work and the opportunity to travel.

[@michelle3401]

@@williamfitzgerald652 Thank you very much for your reply. Do you think that there is more desk time in the Management position and less time to interact with locals and speak languages? I really enjoy movement and being away from desks, interacting with locals, organizing cultural events, promoting intercultural competency, and schmoozing. I have taught and been in sales and import/export, lived abroad, taught abroad, sold study abroad programs, chaired the Austin-Oita Japan sister city organization (so organized mayoral and other delegations in both directions, festivals, cultural events, spoken at these types of events, coordinated volunteers, fundraiser, etc and also teamed with universities and worked with both cities). Loved all of that except the fundraising. Speak Spanish and Japanese. Feel like PD might be a better fit. Your thoughts?

[@williamfitzgerald652]

@@michelle3401 Yes a lot of movement as a first-tour officer, likely working as a General Services Officer( GSO) at a small- to medium-sized embassy. You oversee repairs to residences, receive and inventory goods, negotiate with landlords, etc.That 'outside' work decreases as you move up the career ladder. As PD officer, regardless of rank, you will be working closely with locals. Your background and interests appear to lie in the Public Diplomacy career track. Good luck

[@michelle3401]

@@williamfitzgerald652 Thank you! I appreciate your reply. Have a good evening!

[@culby276]

I’m a Registered Nurse with a BSN but absolutely love geopolitics and foreign policy, would that hinder me as a candidate?

[@LIamaLlama554]

It wouldn’t hinder you at all. Take a look at the Medical Provider Foreign Service Specialist (FSS) position as well.

[@Lee935]

I have a bachelors degree in Spanish and Cultural Anthropology. I’ve always had a strong interest in foreign languages, cultures, religions...etc and I recently became interested in politics. Although I don’t have any political or diplomatic work experience where can I start right now to fill my mind with useful resources and materials? I am a scholar and have the ability to absorb information quickly. Any tips? I also speak Spanish...

[@williamfitzgerald652]

You have a great background for the Foreign Service. On studying for the FSOT, subscribe and read a good daily newspaper (NYTimes, WashPost or Wall Street Journal). Subscribe and read The Economist every week. The writing style in The Economist is the closest to Foreign Service writing. Take the practice test online and start to brush up on the areas in which you did poorly. Don't spend time on the areas you did well. You. need to improve where you're weakest. If you don't have much economics or American history knowledge, pick up an AP study guide in those areas. Writing is the State Department's mode of communication. The better you are at writing -- clear, succinct, interesting -- the better you'll do in the Foreign Service. Avoid the mundane and commonplace, if you can According to the new rules you have to submit your personal narratives at the time you register for the FSOT. Think carefully and deeply about the examples you choose. Pick out the weird and compelling things you've done in your life. Tie them into your Cone of choice (Pol, Econ, PubDip, Consular or Mgmt). The FS folks reviewing your personal narratives will likely be officers in your career area. Also, these reviewers will be reading dozens, maybe 100s, of PNs. You need snappy writing and good examples to wake them up to focus on your narratives. Good luck, Bill

[@rolandorodriguez7450]

Thank you for the information

[@phoenixbunch9691]

I have a question. If you do not pass the FSOT your first time, do you have to apply all over again, including the personal narratives?

[@bluewhales4182]

Yes

[@Warriorlover69]

I was born and raised overseas and I speak multiple foreign languages from south east Asia. History, Geography and politics has been my interests for long time . I also served in the US military . I am highly motivated to go to foreign service . What's your advice sir ?

[@williamfitzgerald652]

It sounds like you have a good background for the Job Knowledge section of the FSOT. I encourage you to practice your writing skills, which are a important part of the Test as well as your future career in the Foreign Service. Good luck!

[@aharmon113]

Is the use of a calculator allowed during the test?

[@FSOTPrep]

Nope. No calculators allowed. Test center will give you scratch paper for calculations. Good luck!

[@ckomagan]

Blackberry lol

[@AA-ul9qh]

a pocket book?!?! 1st what on earth is a pocket book? & 2nd, why would we need a book, when we've the whole world in our back pocket (cell phone).

[@culby276]

A pocketbook is a slang term for a purse in the south.

[@culby276]

Edit: so I heard where he was talking about a pocketbook, in this case he was talking about a small pocketbook of the Constitution. Like a mini book that can fit in your pocket but same can be said about cellphones to.