I heard that to be a diplomat, you have no choice of country you are sent to...what if you speak a language?

Question

I heard that to be a diplomat, you have no choice of country you are sent to...what if you speak a language?

Answer 1

usually ambassadors are picked for political connections, in fact many have been appointed to be diplomats with important countries without any knowledge of that country's language

it's a shame

Answer 2

You are sent as the best party for the post regardless if you speak that language o not, besides the mayority of people in those jobs speak English,, now the fancy ones speak French,

and  this is how it goes.  Au revoir...

Answer 3

The choice of the country you are assigned to is purely the prerogative of the Executive powers of your home country. They will make that decision in the best interest of the country .... or even the political party.

Answer 4

It's not that you have no choice. It's that the Foreign Service has no legal obligation to respect that choice if it needs you to be elsewhere.  Incoming officers in the new officer classes usually get a list of available posting and can choose 7 or 8 in descending order of preference. However, every one of those slots will be filled by someone or another, whether or not anyone in the class has actually listed it. If you come in with a difficult language, your ability to compete for a position in a country that actually speaks that language should be enhanced. If you don't get what you want, you can always try again on the next assignment round.

Answer 5

George L gives the best answer so far (besides mine, of course!).  :)  But the correct answer to your question depends entirely on which country you serve.  Most Foreign Services DO give their officers some choice of posting, with the caveat that your desire must mesh with the "needs of the Service".

Language ability can indeed help, but most services want well-rounded officers not limited solely in expertise to the country whose language s/he speaks.  Therefore most officers will serve not only in a variety of countries, but also a variety of regions and positions.

Answer 6

body language!!

Answer 7

They send you where your country needs you, not where you want to go. It's a service, not vacation.