Want to become a U.S. diplomat? The good news is that just about any U.S. citizen is allowed to register for the foreign service exam. But that is only the beginning of a long and complicated ordeal that allows the State Department to carefully select prime candidates.
Facing severe staffing shortfalls, the State Department is aggressively recruiting qualified candidates, making it quite possible that development professionals will find a position that matches their career ambitions. The fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act requests a $464 million dollar increase in the State Department’s budget, aimed at hiring 500 new employees.
Still, foreign service jobs are likely to remain highly competitive. In 2007, more than 17,000 people annually embarked on the application process, less than 3 percent of whom ended up with job offers. Here are some tips on how to prepare effectively to help boost your chances.