The Foreign Service Journal, June 2008

Assessment are essentially unchanged. HR expects to invite approximately 1,800 candidates to the orals each year, about half the number invited in the past. “By eval- uating more information about the candidates based on the identified core competencies … we are finding that we invite a much more competitive group to the Oral Assessment,” says Myles. “In fact, the pass rate for can- didates has markedly increased!” The orals still focus on testing for what are known as the “13 Dimensions,” which Blake describes as compo- nents of the six competencies. These are: written com- munication, oral communication, information integration and analysis, planning and organization, judgment, resourcefulness, initiative and leadership, experience and motivation, working with others, composure, quantitative analysis, objectivity and integrity, and cultural adaptabili- ty. The six competencies and the 13 dimensions all help assess the candidate’s “KSAs” — knowledge, skills and abilities. The group exercise portion of the Oral Assessment is still blind — the examiners do not know who the candi- dates are. Back on this level playing field, the candidates interact, negotiate with each other and solve problems while the examiners observe. During the structured interview part of the orals, examiners do have the candi- date’s file, and at this time can discuss experience, back- ground and the Statement of Interest with the candidate. After candidates pass the orals, they are given the opportunity to take telephone tests for the non-super- critical languages that they claimed on their registration forms. Passing language scores add points and can boost a candidate’s placement on the register. Not all languages are created equal, so the “hard” languages bring a bigger boost than others. Once candidates clear the medical and security clear- ance process, they are placed on the register to wait for the invitation to join an upcoming A-100 class. When that invitation comes (if ever) depends both on where each candidate’s name is on the priority-ranked list, and on which career track register the candidate competes. F O C U S J U N E 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 23 Home Suite Home The next time you’re going to be in DC for an extended stay, make yourself at home at Georgetown Suites. With our discounted monthly rates and large, comfortable suites, you’ll feel right at home. Plus we’re near the State Department. Call today! Georgetown Suites the fun place to stay in DC 1-800-348-7203 www.georgetownsuites.com sales@georgetownsuites.com t ti ’r i t i f r t t , r lf t t r t it . it r i t t l r t l r , f rt l it , ’ll f l ri t t . l ’r r t t t rt t. ll t ! 1-800-348-7203 . r t it . sales@georgetownsuites.com