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.

What’s the point of being a diplomat if you can’t have diplomatic license plates?

For many of us going in the foreign service, having a vehicle at post is an incredible convenience. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to ship a vehicle overseas. Here is what I learned:

If you don’t currently own a vehicle:

• About 6 weeks before you’re scheduled to arrive at post, talk to the GSO and inquire about the types of cars they recommend at post, and also if there are any import restrictions (age of car, color of car, etc.)

• Join USAA and browse through their vehicles online. They have pre-negotiated rates with dealers that are often below MSRP.

• Open up a checking account & credit card with USAA to be eligible for their financing. It’s nearly impossible to finance with the dealership because banks frown up financing those who are overseas. USAA is your best bet.

• About 4 weeks before arriving at post, call Transportation at State to go over your plans. They may offer you some information that you might have overlooked.

• Since you do not plan on driving the car stateside, you can avoid paying registration and all those other fees (sometimes even sales tax) by using a Certificate of Origin ( JF-49) instead of a title (applies only to NEW vehicles).

• Confirm that your host country accepts imported vehicles that do not have your name on the title.

• Because the USG’s name is on the Certificate of Origin, contracted movers can go to the dealership lot, pick up the car, and ship it directly to you at post.

Click here to view the State Dept’s official guide on shipping a vehicle.

Click here to view the JF-49.

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.