A cable went out today to All Diplomatic and Consular channels announcing some big increases in hiring. Calling it “Diplomacy 3.0: Diplomacy, Development, and Defense,” State announced that it expects to hire 2,300 employees this year, meaning that, factoring attrition, 1200-1500 new positions are being created. According to the cable, “this hiring represents the first significant infusion of positions since the end of the Diplomatic Readiness Initiative (DRI) in 2004 and is an important first step in President Obama and Secretary Clinton’s plan to put diplomacy front and center as the key tool in achieving U.S. foreign policy goals.”
Good news for those already on the list especially, as the cable goes on to announce that, “We are building the registers with highly qualified applicants, have streamlined our processes, and increased the number of A-100 and specialist entry-level classes. ”
If you haven’t yet taken or passed the test, go back and review my unofficial Guide to the Foreign Service Exam now!
Best of luck, everybody.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Huzzah! Great news indeed!
Thanks for that info–as someone waiting to hear back from the QEP, I am heartened to hear that.
I’ve quoted you and linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms2.blogspot.com/2009/03/re-good-news-for-hopeful-fsos.html
I agree, great news. I’m also waiting to hear back from the QEP. After taking the written exam on a whim and passing, my research and the preparation of my narratives left me interested in the FS and quite hopeful. What a fortunate time to have realized this interest …