What is the screening process for Foreign Service positions and how long does it take?
Applications for Foreign Service positions are initially screened to ensure that they meet the basic qualifications for the specific vacancy announcement. Applications passing the first screening are rated and rank ordered, relative to the qualifications specified in the announcement, by a Technical Panel composed of subject matters experts. The highest ranking applicants are requested to come to Washington D.C. at their own expense for a structured interview. Upon completion of all the interviews, final selections are made and pre-employment procedures are initiated for selected candidates. From the time an applicant initially applies and enters on duty, the complete recruitment process can take from eight months to a year, due to the fact that medical and security clearances must be obtained prior to entering on duty.
