How can i build a carreer in DFA? or foreign service?

Question

I'm a history major set to graduate this october 2008. I learned intermediate spanish, basic korean and have taught koreans for three years now while i'm studying. I want to build a carreer in DFA or foreign service, and specifically work in a foreign embassy in the Philippines (specially Korea) and one day in embassies abroad. The problem is, I don't know how . can anyone orient me with steps on how i could achieve my dream?

Answer 1

1. get an application form for the Foreign Service Exam (FSO) from the Foreign Service Institute office in the DFA, find out the exam schedules and deadline for submission of application.

2. pass the written exam portion which includes a foreign language component (which you need to choose one beforehand... French, Spanish, Japanese, etc. the DFA has a list of languages), world history, and current affairs... for good measure, also study the organizational structure and the mandate of the DFA.

3. if you're on the shortlist of passers, there will be another set of exams and an interview by a panel of distinguished ambassadors and consuls to further shortlist those who are candiates to become FSO's.

4. the final cut is made in a formal dinner where the ones who've made it that far will deliver an impromptu speech on whatever the judges (FSO's, ambassadors, consuls) tells one to speak about.

that's pretty much the way to go, i believe the DFA gets less than 20 people each year to be FSO's and moving up the foreign service ladder will require exam, after exam, after exam (and a certain degree of seniority of course) until one becomes the "Head of Mission for the Republic of the Philippines" in another country.