Foreign Service Exam

So there is more than one way to work in the government. It doesn't always mean working in Washington, D.C. and sitting in an office doing mysterious government things. There are thousands of Americans working overseas right now as diplomats.

I know many Americans are angry about the current foreign relations of the United States and are upset about the way Americans are viewed by other cultures. Well, don't just sit there! do something about it. The first step to becoming a government employee overseas is by taking the Foreign Service Exam.

Registering for the Foreign Service Exam is the first step of the process. The registration process is relatively simple. You can do it online and it takes about two hours to complete. The hardest part is choosing which track is right for you. Your choices are Consular Affairs, Economic Affairs, Management Affairs, Political Affairs or Public Diplomacy. Make sure you fully understand what each of these do, because once you choose one you can't switch to another track.

After you register and pass the exam, (don't freak out if you fail the first time or two- most people do!) The last step of the testing process is an oral assessment to make sure you have teh knowledge, skills and ability to perform well in the Foreign Service.

After you get through the oral assessment and are accepted into the Foreign Service, you get medical clearences and security clearences and you're ready to serve the United States overseas.

If you decide foreign service isn't for you, there's always civil service. But more about that later.