If i wish to find a job at a US embassy, how should I apply?

Question

I am a U.S citizen, and wish to work abroad. I was wondering how to apply for a job at a US embassy? Do i get to pick the country or is it a requirement to be sent to a country?

Answer 1

There are two types of jobs in an Embassy, those for American direct hire employees and those for Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs -- although an American CAN occupy one of these positions). For any direct hire job, you either have to be hired by the State Dept or sent overseas by another office (Treasury, Justice, etc). To be hired in an FSN position, you have to already live there -- be warned, they are low paying by U.S. standards, and you almost always have to have thorough knowledge of how to get things done in the local culture.

As far as the country goes, you serve according to "worldwide availability" -- i.e. they have the right to send you where they want, but it's usually worked out between you and your Career Development Officer.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

What a joke! Lets talk about the latest "Embassy" under construction. Although it sticks out like a sore thumb amongst a background of rubble, death and sorrow..If you were to ask in Baghdad Nobody seems to know what it is. I managed to download a picture after much frustration( I kept getting a message saying "Forbidden Website" ) Which only made me all the more determined. You see miles of cranes and actual work being done (compared to just destruction everywhere else) Anyways this is no ordinary Embassy. When completed it will be larger then Vatican City. Staff over 5,600.00 personal. Plus it's own Police Force, maintenance crew,etc. This actually going to be run and staffed by the top 4 oil companies, that just signed the drilling rights and the plundering of Iraq's oil and gas for a minimum of the next 30 years.So this Embassy will act as the American Oil Co. HQ. for Middle East Operations. When completed, they boast it will be totally self contained with it's own water system, electric grid, air supply and it brags that it will be hardened to withstand a nuclear attack. Do these actions sound like the things people intent on liberating, establishing order and then handing back power to the Iraqi's as quickly as possible? It has been my observation, people that spend over $10Billion on an Embassy, are not very likely to hand it over to who ever the stole it from or allow any locals to work inside without a fight....Mary

Answer 3

Apply for a position in the US Embassy and the choice of assignment is the discretion of the Human Resources Department although you can suggest your preference.

Answer 4

Here's information on careers in the State Department's Foreign Service - those are the people assigned to embassies and consulates around the world: http://www.careers.state.gov/

You bid on available assignments, and may or may not be assigned to the country you want to go to.

Answer 5

They send you to a country. There are very few civil service positions.

You can go to www.state.gov and look it up.

Answer 6

Go to http://www.state.gov/careers/ and find a job that fits your education and skills.