FSOT, PNs, QEP, OA, BEX, FSO, FSS…
If you’re pursuing a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, you’re going to encounter a lot of acronyms! I remember what it was like those first few months, trying to decipher the alphabet soup and navigate our new life. It’s such an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming.
One of the things I love most about being a part of this crazy Foreign Service lifestyle is that it really is a community of people who are there for each other. It’s like being a part of a small town of Americans that are spread out all over the world. And when someone needs a little help, a question answered, a place to vent, a group who understands what it’s like, other Foreign Service folks are there to help.
If you’re looking for a little advice, help or reassurance on your journey into the Foreign Service, I’d love to lend a hand!
How I can help
I’m a Foreign Service spouse with a background in English teaching and editing. I’ve never applied to the Foreign Service myself, so I’m not giving away any insider info here, but I have helped numerous friends and colleagues — and my partner! — through the application and interview process.
As an English teacher, I have plenty of experience with holistic, rubric-based grading and can show you how to write to the prompts. As an editor, I can clean up your writing and help you convey your ideas clearly and concisely.
Personal Narratives
You’ve only got so many characters to tell your story.*
- Are you including enough background information or too much?
- Is your story strong enough or should you substitute a different story?
- Are you clearly answering the question?
- Is your answer for Leadership Skills actually a better fit for Management Skills?
These are just some of the questions I’ve helped clients navigate as they wrestle with writing their Personal Narratives.
The writing process is never easy, especially when applying for a job — and a new life — that you really want.
While your friends and family offer their kind opinions, sometimes you just need honest and objective feedback from someone who doesn’t know your history and can tell you what you need to hear. Even better if that person also happens to be an experienced editor (like me)!
Personal Narrative Editing Packages
I approach editing from a coaching mindset. I don’t (just) help you tighten up your writing and proofread for grammar errors; I also help you translate your ideas into clear, concise, powerful narratives.
Option A: You already have a draft of your Personal Narratives ready.
You’ll get:
- A substantive review of the first draft of your 6 PNs
- A 75-minute editing consult to talk through suggested changes
- A final proofread and polish that ensures you’re under 1300 characters (2000 for Specialists)
Note: Narrative drafts don’t need to meet the character limit. Let’s make sure your content is strong before worrying about length. I have a LOT of experience cutting the fluff from Narratives, so don’t sweat it. I’ll make sure you’re under the limit by the final draft.
NEW! Option B: You haven’t started writing yet.
You’ll get all of the above PLUS an hour-long Pre-Writing Consult to help you decide which stories to choose and create a rough outline to help you draft your Narratives.
Helpful Links
- Pearson Vue: your HQ for test dates and registration.
- Online Practice FSOT: practice makes…passing?
- FSO Selection Process: outlines the steps to becoming a Foreign Service Officer.
- 12 Dimensions: attributes that are important for your Officer or Specialist Assessment.
- Path to the Foreign Service: great resources including a practice essay test question generator and study groups.
- FSOT Selection Process Information guide: read it, learn it, love it. 😉
- Core Precepts (entry-level descriptions)
- Personal Narrative questions (including key words from the Precepts)
Just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you again for all of the Oral Assessment interview prep help (and the Personal Narratives help last year!). I passed! I couldn’t have done it without you. My deepest and most sincere appreciation for all that you do.
NEW! Oral Assessment Prep Package
Get help preparing for your Structured Interview. Four x 60-75 min interview coaching sessions to ensure:
- Your Past Behavior stories are hitting all the scored Dimensions.
- You can eloquently express your motivation for joining the Foreign Service.
- You can convincingly connect your experience to the skills showing you’d be good at the job.
Finish with a recorded mock interview to make sure you’re ready for the big day!