Any State Dept. experience here?

I applied for an Information Management Specialist position with the State Dept. & am scheduled for oral assessment/interview and testing in DC on Oct. 1.

I was just curious if anyone here has been through this process or has worked at the State Dept. and has any tips.

Thanks,
7

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

colemic

Good luck! I seriously looked into it, but didn't pursue it, my girlfriend wasn't too keen on it. I still may apply though,

Let us know how it turns out!

7lowe

As I'm getting ready to go for my assessment next week I thought I'd post an update of what I expect based on the information I was sent.

First up is the Writing Exercise. You are give a hypothetical situation related to your specialty and have to write a two page document about the problem and how to solve it. You have 45 minutes to complete it and will be provided a computer to write on, though you can write long hand if you prefer. It doesn't seem that you have any access to any sort of research or reference materials.

Then you have the Structured Interview. Two people will conduct the interview with you, one of who is in the specialty that you are applying for. The interview lasts approximately 75 min.

After that is a Competency Exam. It is computer based multiple choice exam related to your specialty.

Finally, you have an exit interview where they discuss your scores. I believe if you "make the cut" at this point then you meet with a security officer to review your clearance forms before they tell you to go ahead and submit them.

All in all this is a very slow and long process so if you are the slightest bit interested I'd apply as soon as you see an opening. I applied either late last year or early this year and am just now going for an interview. If everything goes well I still won't likely get offered a position any earlier than February of next year.

7

phantasm

Best of luck. Remember, just like the military the key phrase here is "hurry up and wait".

uhtrinity

For your sake I hope the security portion is nothing like the FBI. If so you have a 50% chance based on the polygraph alone. It doesn't matter how honest you might be, but how you fit the reaction profile of what they believe an honest person to be.

forkvoid

uhtrinity wrote: »

For your sake I hope the security portion is nothing like the FBI. If so you have a 50% chance based on the polygraph alone. It doesn't matter how honest you might be, but how you fit the reaction profile of what they believe an honest person to be.

There are some companies that do similar things with paper tests... there's a chain of retail gaming stores in Phoenix that shall remain nameless that gives a test when you apply. Among the questions are ones like these: "If you buy a movie ticket and after fifteen minutes you decide you don't like the movie, would you A) go into another theatre for a different movie or

leave?" Choosing B is the honest answer, but they will immediately mark you off because "no one is that honest". It's not based on how honest a person is, it's based on how honest the company thinks the population is.

earweed

That sounds like a long drawn out process. Hopefully you are already employed and not counting on this job as it'll be a long time to find out whether you get it or not.

7lowe

From what I've read there is no polygraph. It's basically a background check going back 10 years. FWIW one blog I read by someone working there stated that 95% of the people that made it to the security portion passed it.

7

rogue2shadow

7lowe wrote: »

From what I've read there is no polygraph. It's basically a background check going back 10 years. FWIW one blog I read by someone working there stated that 95% of the people that made it to the security portion passed it.

7

Sounds like you're going for a TS/SSBI which will change into something else later. I don't have experience with the State dept. but based on the level of clearance (though there are tons of levels of TS), its gonna be a while. Just be the good you you've been the last 10 years and you should be fine

uhtrinity

forkvoid wrote: »

There are some companies that do similar things with paper tests... there's a chain of retail gaming stores in Phoenix that shall remain nameless that gives a test when you apply. Among the questions are ones like these: "If you buy a movie ticket and after fifteen minutes you decide you don't like the movie, would you A) go into another theatre for a different movie or leave?" Choosing B is the honest answer, but they will immediately mark you off because "no one is that honest". It's not based on how honest a person is, it's based on how honest the company thinks the population is.

Polygraphs use control questions like that assuming that an honest person will spike. Problem is if you don't spike you fail.

L0gicB0mb508

7lowe wrote: »

From what I've read there is no polygraph. It's basically a background check going back 10 years. FWIW one blog I read by someone working there stated that 95% of the people that made it to the security portion passed it.

7

You are going for a ts/ssbi or possibly a ts/sci without a poly. It's really not a big deal. It's annoying filling out all the paper work and trying to go back 10 years. As long as you have no drinking/drugs, arrests, or major financial problems you will be fine. You can expect a nice long wait even once you do get through the interview process. It will take probably 6 months+ to actually get your clearance. Once you have it though, it's as good as gold.

7lowe

Just made it back home from DC. Passed with what I believe is quite a good score & got the conditional offer of employment. We submitted the EQIP to get the security clearance started.

Most of the accounts I've read said the clearance only took about 3 months, but I'm not nearly that optimistic since I've been waiting on pretty much the same clearance on another job for about 6 months now. Hopefully that one will come through soon so I can start that job while waiting for this one. LOL

I also have to have a medical examination submitted within 30 days to get cleared for worldwide availability.

After both clearances go through your file goes through "Final Review." After you pass that they add your name to the register of cleared candidates. The candidates are ordered by score are invited to orientation as job openings occur. You can remain on the register for 18 months and if you don't get an invite by then you fall off and have to start all over.

The order of the assessment was slightly different than what I posted earlier and what was sent to me. It was Writing Example, Competency Exam, Structured Interview, and then the Exit Exam where they tell you the result and give you the score.

7

colemic

I am pretty sure State Dept. has their own clearance that don't necessarily equate to DoD clearances - I know that when you apply to State, they will not transfer whatever clearance you currently have.

7lowe

I believe you are correct colemic. They require you to disclose any other clearances, but still do their own investigation.

I don't know if this is the same posting I applied for, but it is the same position and says you have to be eligible for TS clearance (doesn't get more specific):

U.S. Department of State Careers - Employment Opportunities

7

7lowe

Just thought I'd bump up this old thread to update it to say I finally got the job and start orientation in April.

thenjduke

Congrats.