US Department of State Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Jan 30, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 14 ratings 
“Difficult” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 14 ratings
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| 1–10 of 14 US Department of State Interviews | Sort by |
Foreign Service Officer at US Department of State
Posted Jan 30, 2012
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5.0
Very Difficult Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2011 (took 5 months)
After passing the initial computer assessment, I made it to the mysterious QNP section, which is relatively new. Submitting a number of essays on various subjects regarding my past experiences in school and work, I came to realize why the State Department values older, mid-career hires more than younger recruits.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of an IQ/Intelligence Test.
More US Department of State Foreign Service Officer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Foreign Service Officer at US Department of State
Posted Jan 20, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 in Washington, DC (took 6 months)
First took the computer based "written" test, which was three sections of multiple choice and a writing section. Second, submitted 6 personal narrative questions that pertained to leadership, initiative, and other desirable qualities. Final round is a day-long interview consisting of an interview, memo-writing, and a group session where you, along with a handful of other applicants, discuss the merits of a particular project while the interviewers monitor you.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
More US Department of State Foreign Service Officer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Broadcast Engineer at US Department of State
Posted Nov 15, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2009 (took 3 months)
completed comprehensive interview process
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Financial Management Officer at US Department of State
Posted Oct 17, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2009 in Washington, DC (took a day)
1) Submit a very involved application on line
2) Called in for oral interview with 2 individuals who are HR people and therefore, know nothing about what the job actually entails. They read from a script.
3) If you pass, you then go through a year long medical and security background check
4) If you pass those, you are put in a roster.
5) If there is an opening and if there is no one ahead of you in the roster, you get a call. The rankings in the roster is dependent on how well you did in the oral interview. Once you're on the roster, the call can take up to 2 years, but is typically between a year to two.
6) I believe you are dropped from the roster if you're not called after 3 years. After all the tax payer's expense in running your security background check and medical exam, it is a tremendous waste.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
None. There is a very fixed schedule (table) based on your work experience and education and there is no room for negotiation.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Entry Level Planner at US Department of State
Posted Oct 1, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2011 in Washington, DC (took 3 weeks)
Complex hiring process and testing
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
US Foreign Service Officer at US Department of State
Posted Aug 28, 2010 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2010 in Washington, DC (took 4 months)
9-10 month process, but once you schedule your oral assessment test, it is approximately a 3-4 month process. Group exercise stresses cooperation and being able to follow directions and complete the task on time. Case management is relatively difficult, exercise stresses time management and ability to wade through lots of irrelevant material and boil the facts down. Individual interview fairly standard, probably the easiest part.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Presentation, a Skills Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Intern at US Department of State
Posted Aug 3, 2010 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2010 (took a day)
Required to have a background check done before working here. Interview was very behaviorial.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Background Check.
More US Department of State Intern Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Foreign Service Officer at US Department of State
Posted May 30, 2010 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed May 2010 in Washington, DC (took a day)
First 1/3 of the day was a group exercise (5 people) where you demonstrated your negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills; Second 1/3 of the day was a 2 on 1 interview; Last 1/3 of the day was a 90 min. memo-writing exercise.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Presentation, an IQ/Intelligence Test, a Skills Test and a Personality Test.
More US Department of State Foreign Service Officer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Intern at US Department of State
Posted May 8, 2010 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2009 (took 2 months)
It was relatively quick and painless; there was not an in-depth behavioral interview process. They clarified my time requirements and explained the position and department to me, but never asked any hard hitting questions.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Background Check.
More US Department of State Intern Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Diplomatic Security Special Agent at US Department of State
Posted Apr 22, 2010 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2008 (took 4+ weeks)
If you pass the online screening, you will receive a phone call from DSS to set up your interview and provide instructions for materials (paperwork) that you must bring. My interview was held at the Bureau of Diplomatic Security headquarters in Arlington, VA. There are four stages of the interview, beginning with two written test to examine your overall knowledge of the State Department and assess your writing capabilities. If you progress beyond this stage, you will be undergo an structured interview with two DSS SA's consisting of a series of questions that examine your analytical thinking ability. If you progress beyond this portion, you move on to the final stage which is a panel interview with with a veteran/retired Special Agent and a Foreign Service QEP representative. The final stage, as with the rest of the process, is very structured. Do not expect warmth or smiles or any show of emotion from your interviewers.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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