The Foreign Service Journal, April 2019

22 APRIL 2019 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL or down her list; but I will hold it against someone who says Riga is his first choice but then turns down an offer because he changed his mind and never told me. Deciders crave certainty. We never want to make an offer to someone unless we’re reasonably sure that person will accept. So do the deciders and yourself a favor: commit to us, and we’ll be more likely to commit to you. 360s The online bidding applications used by pretty much every bureau now are a huge time saver. But although the appli- cations are more efficient, they’ve also made the resulting 360s a lot less honest, and therefore less valuable. Since the advent of the bidding websites I’ve read at least a thousand 360s and have yet to see a single one—not one!—that said “I don’t recommend this person” or “I wouldn’t work with him/her again.” Is everyone in the Foreign Service really that good? No, they’re not. Over the years I’ve torpedoed numerous bidders with stellar online 360s after someone who was not listed as an “official” refer- ence raised serious red flags about the bidder. This is why most deciders I know look skeptically at online references. For heavily bid jobs, don’t rely on the robo-360s. To get ahead, you need your best references to send thoughtful recommendations directly to the decid- ers. Better yet, find people who know the deciders, and have them recommend you. What’s a Bidder to Do? Bidding is a frustrating and stress- ful process for everyone. Here’s how to make it easier and improve your odds of landing the job you want: l. Know your comparative advantage(s) and go after jobs where you can exploit that advantage ruth- lessly. If you don’t have something that puts you ahead of the other bidders, look somewhere else. 2. Look at less heavily bid jobs. Fewer bidders means better odds, and a greater likelihood that the deciders will give you a closer look. Instead of looking needy and desperate as you and 50 oth- ers try to attract the deciders’ attention, you may find the deciders are chasing you. 3. Bid the job, not the city. Far too many bidders go for positions in tourist-destination cities, when there are equally or more interesting and career- enhancing jobs available at lesser-bid posts. 4. Have a backup plan. If you insist on going after a heavily bid job, make sure you’ve got a Plan B ready in the likely chance you don’t get your top choice(s). 5. Small details matter. Thanking deciders (after the fact) for an interview and keeping us updated on where we are on your list are small touches that can make a big difference. 6. Competitive advantages aren’t genetic—they can be developed. Sometimes the path between you and your dream job runs through another position, one that will set you up for the job you really want. Gain experience, develop new skills, build contacts—then try again. n I try to be transparent and honest with bidders, and I appreciate the same from them.