I’ve received a few messages asking for some advice on the PNQs from those who passed the Foreign Service Officer Test (written exam). Here is the advice that I shared:

For the PNQs, what they’re actually looking for:

http://www.careers.state.gov/index/download-center4/3.0.0_fso_13_dimensions.pdf

Anyone can write a short essay but the key is to incorporate a few of the 13 dimensions into each response. Also, feel free to use the below format:

Situation – Briefly recount the situation you faced
Action – Say exactly what action you took
Results – Briefly describe the results of YOUR action in as much detail as possible
Interesting Features - Say something special or memorable about the vignette or relate the story back to the 13D’s.

Give them what they want and nothing more. Also, don’t worry about whether or not you are experienced enough. All they’re looking for is if you possess these traits and they can easily be evidenced in any situation.

While cleaning out my computer over the last couple of days, I came across my resources for the Foreign Service Oral Assessment. I would like to think that I did well on the OA and that preparation is key. Below are my thoughts on how to pass the FSOA and the resources which I found most valuable.

You must know the 13 dimensions (they are what the evaluators use to score you) – even feel free to throw back at them the parts of the definition in your responses. But that’s not all.

• Be confident
• Be assertive
• Be kind
• Be heard

Those four things can make a big difference and add .1 or .2 crucial points to your score.

GE – Group Exercise

Aim to have your project fully funded. Always advocate for your project in the beginning, as ridiculous as your project might be. ORGANIZATION of your proposal is key. Take into account positives and negatives, how many U.S. interests are served (x out of y), and impact on the ground. After everyone has had their initial thoughts, feel free to take a step back re: your proposal if you feel it’s appropriate, but not completely right away. Maybe withdraw your project from consideration for full funding, but keep it in for partial funding.

Being heard, encouraging the quiet members to speak up and asking for their opinion, asking questions, and advocating for your project (not stubbornly) and knowing when to give in are key.

CM – Case Management

Practice this many times before the OA. Read the instructions, offer alternate recommendations, be a little creative, take responsibility and initiative, and use numbers, percentages, etc.

SI – Structured Interview

Even though it’s an hour, the time really does fly by. The key for this is to know yourself, know your history, know your strengths and weaknesses. And then, know how to tie them back in to the 13Ds.

The Yahoo FSOA group was tremendously helpful, as was the FSOT wiki. The State Department website has a section on the Oral Assessment, with a link to a PDF that tells you everything you need to know and what to expect. There should be NO SURPRISES.

But you must do one thing above all else if you really want to improve your chances of passing the OA:

Join a study group.

Better yet, join a Skype study group. On the Yahoo FSOA Group, you should be easily able to find a study group to join.

I’ve also compiled a folder of the documents which I found most helpful. I don’t remember where I found these files (some probably from the Yahoo group) and I’m not attempting to take any credit for them. These are just the ones I thought were the best. You can download it here.

Make sure to check out The Hegemonist‘s series on the Oral Assessment.

If you have any questions, I’d be more than willing to answer them below.

UPDATE: Also found a great writeup over at vonhinken.com about the oral assessment.

For some reason, I always think of that Mariah Carey song whenever I hear the word “call”. So when I received “the call” (in my inbox) this morning, I couldn’t help but think of that song.

My second thought?

“Why are there fractions in this email?”

I’m not too good with math, even though I put the most ridiculous percentages in one of the sections of the Oral Assessment. But I digress (I’ve always wanted to say that).

I’ll be starting Sept 13th in the 156th A-100 class and planning on getting a place with Oakwood Apts. Having lived in DC for the last 4 years, I’m already comfortable with the city, but I’d rather not deal with paperwork. It’d be super nice if I could get a place at Rosslyn. I’ll be by myself and I’m trying to avoid kids at all costs. No offense to those who have to drag around the little brats.

I decided to be marked as “Do Not Call” on the register until the September 13th class. Going right into work straight after graduation wasn’t my idea of fun. So this summer I’ll be unwinding and hanging out with old friends back home.

Biggest highlight? Doing absolutely nothing.

Sort of similar to the last 4 years of college, but with a little more New York flavor. This is the first summer in years that I’m not working and it’s a strange feeling with weird effects. For example, my sleep cycle is all messed up. I wake up at 3pm and I go to bed at 11am. I think this is frowned up in the real world. Let’s see what happens in September, I guess.

In the meantime..WORLD CUP!!