Super Critical Needs Languages
The terribly-named “Super Critical Needs Languages” are Arabic, Mandarin, Dari, Farsi, Hindi, and Urdu. If you speak one of these languages, you can take a telephone test 4-5 weeks after the written portion of the FSOT. You’ll get a bonus if you speak one of these languages at a “limited working level” (a 2/0 for those of you familiar with the government scale). There’s no punishment if you fail, so try even if your language skills are very basic.
Personal Narratives
Applicants who pass the written portion of the FSOT are then asked to write several “personal narratives.” The questions ask for experiences that demonstrate the talents, knowledge, and expertise that an applicant brings to the job. Once you pass the written portion, you have three weeks to answer these questions. They shouldn’t be longer than 200 words, and you have to give the name of someone who can verify the story. Last year, the idea was to show abilities in the six “core competencies” that FSOs use for promotion: leadership skills, managerial skills, interpersonal skills, communication and foreign language skills, intellectual skills and substantive knowledge. People aren’t being asked for that specifically this year, but you may want to include it. I’ve also heard (admittedly, from a less credible source) that the key is including evidence of the 13 dimensions tested on the oral assessment, so that’s another option.
The Qualification Evaluation Panel
Your test scores, original application, and personal narratives are all sent to a panel of three Senior Foreign Service examiners (the much-maligned Qualification Evaluation Panel or QEP) who look at you as a “total candidate” to determine whether or not you’re invited to the oral exam. Most of this process has been included to allow State to consider resume experiences in addition to test scores. The QEP looks at each candidate and puts her in a rank order based on competitiveness as a “total candidate.” Management then invites everyone up to a certain number to the orals. There’s a lot of criticism of this new step. (Read Rick Polney’s account from the Foreign Service Journal for one example.) If you pass the test but not the QEP, you’re not told why. Both race and gender are removed from applications before they’re sent to the QEP; this isn’t affirmative action.
If I’ve missed anything important, please include it in the comments!
This post is part of my unofficial Guide to the Foreign Service Exam.
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That’s a pretty accurate assessment of the process between the application and the OA. However, the personal narratives are actually on the application for the test. They are submitted before you take the written.
Although I have no way of knowing for sure, I am pretty certain that the QEP was the reason I was invited to the oral assessment. I am pretty certain I had a very weak essay on the test. My background had to have carried me. I suspect that if I had done this process under the old system I would not have made it past the test.
Then again, I could be totally wrong. The QEP IS very mysterious.
Thank you for your informative posts. Actually I took the November 2008 FSOT and until that test, everyone had to write the personal narratives before the written test. However, starting in 2009, you only write the personal narratives if you pass the FSOT. I think it’s to encourage more people to apply in the beginning.
Thanks to both of you for your comments. The QEP’s mysteries are compounded by its continuous evolution.
@mutedstep: I think you’re right, I’ve heard that applicant numbers dropped substantially after the vignettes were initially added. I hope the current process is here to stay…
I think that requiring the narratives as a part of the original application has its merits, as well. I would think that the FS would only want those people who really want to be FSOs. Someone like that is not going to be daunted by the personal narratives.
That being said, I can also see the merits of waiting until after the test to require them.
As a side note…. I just got the call today for the 144th A-100 class which starts March 2!
I would be curious to see the scoring matrix used by the QEP in evaluating candidates at this stage.
At one time, State’s website recommended that candidates read the 13Ds in preparing their answers to the PNQs. Now, State’s website makes no mention of the 13Ds (at least when discussing the QEP). It does, however, refer to the “6Ps.” I want to know how candidates are scored and ranked before the QEP. Is it based on the 13Ds? The 6Ps? Some combination of the two? Something else? Or does the QEP simply toss all applications off the top of the Washington Monument and pass those that fly the farthest?
My suspicion is that the 6Ps are the focal point of the QEP’s analysis, and that the 13Ds are less important than some think. This is consistent with what Harry Kopp wrote in his book about State phasing out the 13Ds in favor of the 6 Precepts.
I took and passed the November 2008 Foreign Service Exam, but did not clear the subsequent QEP. As others have concurred, it does seem to be a very mysterious process. I suspect that your interpretation of adding resume considerations are true. Being in my last semester of my undergraduate studies and with no previous career history are what I assume hindered my application. However, I will keep trying!
I just got my notification about the QEP. Some background:
I passed last time, but the QEP (before submitting anything) pre-determined I would not be included for the oral. This time it’s asking me to fill out questions. Only one problem. There isn’t a link. It says to log into my ACT account, but you can’t really do this via any previous link, there isn’t anything posted via my registration log in screen, and there isn’t anything on the ACT web site.
I guess this is a “secret” test. If you’re clever enough to figure out how to fill out the damn thing, you get in.
Does anybody know that when you “Launch” the QEP personal narrative, if it’s timed, like for 2 or 3 hours?
Or do you have ALL the time during those 3 weeks to complete the narratives?
Meaning you can log back in and finish your work at any point during that time.
You have the whole 3 weeks. If I were you I’d write the essay questions in Word and wait until you’re all done before pasting them into the online form. Just so you don’t hit “send” before you’re ready… But you can open/close it as much as you want. Believe me I know!
Does anyone know how serious the QEP is on contacting those people you’ve put down as a ‘verifier’ of your narrative? Sometimes there just simply isn’t someone who can verify an exact account of your narrative. Does that mean that anything we do not have a witness for we should automatically exclude it from consideration?
Here’s a question–
Are you guys explaining how your narratives will make you a good foreign service officer in your chosen career path? I was letting my examples speak for themselves, but check out http://careers.state.gov/officer/qep.html
#3 is what I’m worried about: “Indicate how your learning experience will contribute to success in your chosen Foreign Service career track.”
Really??! They really want me to say, “This experience of helping orphans in Somalia will make me a fantastic foreign service officer.” Ugh. There goes 50 characters out of the allotted 1300…Or am I being too literal? These instructions only appear on the website, and not on the actual instructions we got on the form…what do you guys think? I guess “indicate” could be interpreted in a lot of different ways–wondering if past QEP passers could chime in and help??!
I have a problem with my personal narratives. While I submitted them on time, I have subsequently learned that the contact number for one of my verifiers was out of date. I did provide a valid email address for this person, but I fear they’ll fail to contact her at the phone number & toss my file in the dustbin. Does anyone have an idea how I can resolve this?
@anonymous–call ACT and beg. The contact number should be included in their emails, or you can find it on the site. I have a similar problem–one of my verifiers is moving in mid-August. I’m hoping they’ll either contact her by then or use her email to get in touch. Personally, I think the QEP is the most nerve-wracking part of this process. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that being a recent grad won’t prevent me from going on to the Orals. They say it won’t–but the QEP seems designed to undermine that disclaimer.
I appreciate your response, Bets. I had already contacted ACT and was told the information has been provided to State. I sent an email to FSOAquestions@state.gov and will let you know if I receive a response.
The fine folks at FSOAquestions@state.gov were able to help me. I recommend contacting them if you run into a similar situation.
What is the time frame from submission of the Personal Narratives to receiving your results?
I received my QEP letter today (9/14) after submitting my personal narratives in July and, to my dismay, learned that I did not make the cut. I imagine I will start the process over next year, but that seems like a long time from now. I have several years’ experience practicing law and thought that would have worked in my favor.
Having decided not to pursue the Foreign Service after law school because of looming loan payments, etc., I have spent several years pursuing a career that is not my true calling. I took a long hard look at where I was going earlier this year, and, after careful thought, my wife and I agreed I would reapply to the Foreign Service.
Not passing the QEP is definitely a setback, but I will keep pushing ahead and try again next year. The alternative–hanging it up now–is no alternative at all.
If anyone has any real insight into QEP plusses and minuses, I would love to hear them.
@ Brot-
Last time I took the exam (it was the first year with the new system), although I passed the test, I didn’t make it past the QEP. I just passed it this year, so hopefully better luck next year. I don’t think my answers were that different, maybe I just got a better reader.
Folks here may find the following post posted on the FSOA Yahoo Group by a QEP-Passer useful:
The five questions:
Intellectual Skills: In the Foreign Service you may confront challenging situations that require creative use of your intellect to achieve a goal. Describe briefly how you have dealt with such a situation in your experience using your skills of critical thinking, resourcefulness and/or judgment. (What was the situation? What steps did you take to deal with the difficulty? What was the result?)
One of many challenges I’ve dealt with was the arrest of six men from Lackawanna, New York on suspicion of being an Al-Qaeda terrorist cell. The arrest came after the bulk of the newsroom staff had already left. We had to get reporter and photographer crews to several locations, get information from the FBI, do live reports in studio and from the scene. It was necessary to handle the situation with delicacy and tact while handling difficult logistical problems and reporting the facts accurately. I was able to get staff members to the scene quickly by having them drive themselves there and meet up with each other instead of coming into the station and then leaving for the scene. I solved their video, and editing issues by having our live truck operators bring all the necessary equipment with them to the scene. By keeping a positive working relationship with the President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York, I was able to get information about the suspects and reaction from the community as a great number of the people we wanted to interview did not speak English. As a news organization we were able to get exclusive firsthand accounts of exactly what happened when FBI agents made their arrests. The video and interviews we got were broadcast across the world.
2) Interpersonal Skills: In the Foreign Service, you will be called upon to interact with people from different ethnic, racial, religious, geographic, economic and other backgrounds. Describe a significant experience you have had with another culture, either abroad or in the United States. (What was the experience? What did you do? What was the result?)
On the 1 year anniversary of the September 11th attacks, I put together and produced a televised town hall meeting about the cause and effect of the attacks. The guests I choose were members of the local community from different ethnic, social and religious backgrounds, who held a broad range of differing opinions about the role of U.S policy in the Middle East, Asia and North Africa and its relation to the attacks and aftermath. I thought it very important for our viewers to be able to understand the complexities of the issue, within my given time, while still being sensitive to the cultural differences between the mix of panel members. The discussion was heated at times, as the group had extremely different opinions on the problem and the solution. During the commercial breaks, it was necessary for me to calm the guests, host, and staff. I found myself playing diplomat by relocating agitated guests, comforting upset panel members, and using patience and empathy to facilitate an open and candid discussion which did not digress into petty arguments, name calling, and guests storming out. The show was difficult. But I believe it cleared up some common misconceptions about religion and ethnicity at a time when there was a great deal of fear and confusion in the minds of our viewers
3) Communication Skills: Communication skills are critical to successful diplomacy. Describe a situation in which you used your communication skills (either in English or another language) to further an aim or achieve a goal. (What was the situation? What steps did you take to deal with the situation? What was the result?)
During my cousins wedding, to a man of Sri Lankan decent, I acted as hostess between the two families. One of the most formidable members of his family was his grandmother. My cousin was quite nervous meeting her. One of the great hurtles to overcome was the fact that ‘Pati’ spoke little English. Upon our meeting, I greeted her with a big smile and gave up my seat for her. She seemed happy to have a place to sit, but since I no longer did, I sat on the floor. My casual air helped diffuse the tense awkwardness of a first meeting. From my seat on the floor I was able to ask ‘Pati’ numerous questions about her life and her family. As I was a recent new mom, we were able to bond more as I pantomimed questions and used simple gestures and questions to facilitate our conversation. Through her broken English and gestures, I was able to get her to tell me about her life in Sri Lanka, what she did, and why she left. We chatted, growing more engaged by showing one another little personal treasures. I wanted ‘Pati’ to get to know my family’s background and values, even though our conversations were limited verbally. By helping her to understand my extended family and I, she was able to learn more about her soon to be grand-daughter- in-law. The meeting was a huge success.
4) Managerial Skills:: Foreign Service Officers are often required to manage projects, demonstrating the ability to plan and organize, set priorities, employ a systematic approach, and allocate time and resources efficiently. Describe a project you managed or helped to manage and how you sought to achieve the project’s goals. (What was the project? What steps did you take to manage the project? What was the result?)
One of the biggest projects I’ve managed was a live televised wedding between 5 and 7am. I was able to choose the couple, our viewers had to choose the rest of the wedding details. I started planning for the event about a year in advance. I used an essay contest to choose the couple, then had to procure vendors for the flowers, cake, dresses etc..I also had to figure out how to institute viewer voting on what would be chosen. The project required me to work with our IT department to phase in internet voting, I had to coordinate with the vendors to get video of their products, and to work with all our own departments to assist with the big day, all the while keeping the bride, staff, and sponsors happy. The goal was to choose a wedding detail, give three product choices, have the viewers choose the item, then feature the winning item, all within a week. I did this with every aspect of the wedding while still producing a daily newscast. I supervised the camera locations, inside and outside of the event, coordinated with local law enforcement to block off streets and worked with the family to ensure a smooth day. The wedding was a stunning, everything worked out and not a thing went wrong. It is one of the most memorable, happy, live events ever produced at our TV station.
5) Leadership Skills: Leadership can be defined as motivating others, encouraging creative solutions, establishing positive team relationships, or significantly influencing the direction of the work. Describe how you have demonstrated leadership, either on one particular occasion or over time. (What was the situation? What steps did you take to show leadership? What was the result?)
As Executive Producer of Channel 2 News Daybreak, I was given the task of making the staff cohesive and making the show #1 in the market. When I started, there was a great deal of infighting and no vision for the show which had poor ratings. The first thing I did, was to assess the show’s format and evaluate the team, to try and figure out the issues leading to disenfranchisement about their work. I realized a large part of the issue was lack of communication, and no follow through. In short, they did not feel as though anyone cared. I immediately instituted mandatory weekly meetings to discuss grievances, and ideas. After a couple of meetings there was an attitude change. They started to listen to one another, but more importantly they began to take pride in their work. We used meeting ideas for weekly features, playing to the strengths of the team members. I had to use a lot of creativity with these projects as there was no budget and I couldn’t pull in staff. Oftentimes I would ask people to do the tasks for the benefit of the team with no monetary reward. They seemed happy to do it, saying that they’re usually never shown appreciation for a job well done. After one rating period the show grew, and in less than a year we became the number one rated morning newscast in the area
No verifiers contacted
Passed QEP
I passed as well, but the person who wrote that Personal Narrative spelled hurdle wrong.
“One of the most formidable members of his family was his grandmother. My cousin was quite nervous meeting her. One of the great hurtles to overcome was the fact that ‘Pati’ spoke little English. “
Thanks for the supportive comment, EcceNerdo, and thanks for the PNs, MN. Spelling error aside, those were very well written and engaging.
If any one else is willing to share, I’d like to see theirs, too.
I learned that I passed the QEP yesterday as well. One of the biggest challenges I had was matching up references who could verify my responses without using people from my current job, as I am not quite ready to spill the beans. That left precious few professional references, and my academic work is ancient history. Apparently I managed to square the circle, providing relevant background without overloading (though not avoiding) personal references. I do not know if my personal references were contacted. It has been many years since I went through this process, well before the QEP was introduced, so I don’t have a sense of how many people who pass the written exam move on to the orals these days.
I just found out recently that I passed the QED. My strategy was to use five very different parts of my life (VP of the international affairs club in college, successfully petitioning on to a journal in law school, teaching English in China, organizing local Go tournaments, and working as a mortgage loan processor) that emphasized each point.
Basically, I tried to show a breadth of interesting experience. I tried to be clear, consise, and pithy with each response. It reminded me of writing briefs for legal writing. I knew that the people reading my essay wanted something they could understand and grade with one quick reading. I wrote intensely for a few hours, did a quick revision, and then I was done with it. It took me about as long to track down those old contacts…
I also took the language test for Chinese. It was surprisingly short, and it was funny how quickly they ramped up the difficulty of the conversation. I found that the phone exam was harder than the oral exams I took in person during college because I could not interpret body language to see if I was being unclear.
I am about to submit my PN and am wondering what I can do about the out of date resume that was submitted 8 months ago. I have since finished my MA and begun a new and very relevant job. I have emailed FSOAquestions@state.gov and asked them but anyone else have advice? Am I just being nuts? I want to make sure that all of me is being evaluated as part of the QEP not just outdated me.
I got an answer back from State - can’t change it. That seems a bit odd - especially considering that this isn’t the quickest process in the world but oh well at least I mentioned the new job in the FSOT.
MN:
Thanks for posting that. It helped a lot when I submitted my PN answers a week ago. Definitely easy to see how she used each of those experiences to fulfill the criteria.
First off, thanks, this is a great resource.
I have a question about the Personal Narratives and QEP process. How long does it usually take before you hear back from the QEP? One month? Two? I’ve been looking around but haven’t been able to find an answer.
Thanks.
It took me about 7-8 weeks to receive my results (end of July to mid September)–a couple of weeks faster than the target time the State Department provided when I submitted them.
I was about the same.
Thanks, I appreciate the info.
Hey Everyone. I took and passed the October FSOT and am still waiting to hear about whether I passed the QED. Has anyone who took and passed the October FSOT heard about their QED yet (good or bad)?
Hey,
I took my test at the same time and I haven’t heard anything either. As far as I know, none of the people I listed as references have been contacted.
Mine either. No news.
I also took the October test and submitted my narratives to the QEP and have yet to hear anything. I was told in the letter they would not inform if you advanced until early January. As far as I know, nobody has been contacted either.
Thanks for the forum ! Like the last few posters I submitted PNs in November. FYI, some of my contacts were called two weeks ago. It sounds like it was just preliminary verifications. I have to believe with the holidays they are backed up, but 7-8 weeks would put the e-letters getting sent out in the middle of January. Good luck everyone.
Btw, the OAs are the place to demonstrate how well you personify the 13Ds. So for those who get there, make sure you’re comfortable referencing them in a pressure situation.
All,
A little more information from Congress. Dec. 16th that the President signed into law the 2010 appropriations in which Congress provided $8.23 billion for D&CP (Diplomatic and Consular Programs), including $1.58 billion for worldwide security protection, $520 million for public diplomacy, and $542 million to support 1,030 new positions for diplomatic and development personnel. According to the budget request, the Department intended to add about 750 of these as Foreign Service personnel (although the original request was for 1,181 new positions).
Last year D&CP was funded at $7.15 billion (including supplementals), so this is a significant increase that should translate to more new hires in this fiscal year.
All,
I’d like to hedge my bets in favor of a higher likelyhood of FSO selection. Does anyone have any idea of the acceptance % of the mgt cone vs the political? I’d rather be a political officer, but if my chances of acceptance are significantly better by choosing the mgt cone, I’d prefer that over not becoming an FSO at all.
Any thoughts…data?
Thanks!
David
Charles:
If you follow this link, you will find a table with breakdowns of “viable” applications per 50 open positions for the various tracks (it comes with the results from a self-assessment):
http://www.foreignservicecareers.com/officer/careertrack/five_proc.asp
In summary, the political track receives 4 viable or qualified applicants for every available opening, the economic and public diplomacy tracks receive 3, and the management and consular tracks receive 1.5.
Of course, the table says nothing of overall applicants, or, say, applicants who pass the written exam. It simply identifies “viable” or “qualified” applicants without defining those terms.
One more interesting piece of information if you haven’t read it yet on who the “Total Candidate” is for the State Department: http://www.afsa.org/fsj/june08/whoIs.pdf
I got the same timeline I saw above, has anyone else who passed FSOT in October heard back with a response yet?
Hi Chris,
I also took the October test. I seem to recall that State would let me know about the OA in late January. I got this info after I submitted the PA responses.
I also took the October FSOT and submitted my PN’s within a few days of getting the email. They said I should hear back within the next 30 days on 12/27/09 so we’ll see. A bit of bad news for those of you in the midwest and west coast. I read online that the online possible site for the OA’s is in D.C. for us… so coming from Texas it’s going to cost me a round trip ticket out of pocket. Regardless i’m sure it will be worth it pass or fail. God Bless America!
http://careers.state.gov/officer/OA_schedule.html
pardon me they also have chicago as a possible site. but either way it’s a long haul for most of us…
Okay, we are all thinking the same thing - when will we hear back???
Though it seems obvious, can we just make a pact that - when one of us does hear back - we post here as soon as possible. That is. before getting distracted by nervous anticipation of the oral exam.
I am getting so nervous, turned in my Personal Narratives on 11/17/09. Going on 9 weeks now, I will post on here as soon as I hear something. I check my email around 30 times a day as is. This is not healthy!
Ditto!
Best of luck to all. I, too, am awaiting QEP results, but I am sure that it can’t be too much longer now. After all, there are only 11 more days in January!
Hello - I just came across your posts while researching the oral exam. I just spoke to a representative at the FSOT who related to me that notifications for the November QEP should be out by the end of this month (January) and that information for scheduling for the oral exam will be included in the notification. He also related to me that oral examiniations should begin the beginning of March. Good luck to all!
I heard a rumor from a couple places that it won’t be out til Feb 1 or so. Who knows if it’s true but I’m going to relax a little and stop checking email constantly because it is exhausting! In any case next week is the last week of Jan so at least we are in the home stretch. Good luck everyone!
I, as with many of you, have been checking my e-mail like crazy! I cant wait to see the results, and hopefully, prepare for the oral exam.
Good luck to all of us!