Degree options to be a Diplomat?

By Career Advisor

Question:

What bachelors degree do I need to pursue to go into
consular/embassy jobs or to be a diplomat/ambassador?

 

Answer: U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions are under the direction of the Department of State. You can see a complete list of their websites here: http://www.usembassy.gov/

To work at one of these facilities you would either want to be a Foreign Service Officer or a Foreign Service Specialist.

Foreign Service Officers (FSOs)

 

FSO's advocate American foreign policy, protect American citizens, and promote American business interests throughout the world. FSOs staff our Embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions devoted to strengthening peace, stability, and prosperity. Their perceptiveness, dedication, and creativity drive the formulation and achievement of American foreign policy objectives.

Who Qualifies?

There are several important eligibility requirements:

All applicants must be U.S. citizens on the date they submit their registration package.

On the day you submit your registration, you must be at least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age.

On the day you are appointed as a Foreign Service Officer, you must be at least 21 years old, and not yet 60.

You must also be available for worldwide assignments*, including Washington, D.C.

No specific educational level, or proficiency in a foreign language is required for applicants.You are not required to know a foreign language to become a Foreign Service Officer, but proficiency in one or more languages will enhance your competitiveness for selection.

* Members of the Foreign Service are expected to serve anywhere in the world, even in cases where family members cannot go to post due to political instability and/or other concerns, or when family members must leave post as conditions deteriorate (evacuations).

- Education you need: There is not specific education level but you need to be highly educated in order to compete for these positions.

• You should know at least one foreign Language (While you are not required to know a foreign language to become a Foreign Service Officer, proficiency in one or more languages will enhance your competitiveness for selection.) Here are the languages that are in a Super Critical Need: (Arabic (Modern Standard, Egyptian, and Iraqi), Chinese (Mandarin), Dari, Farsi, Hindi, and Urdu)


• Here is a list of degrees that actual Foreign Service Officers have obtained. I got this information from their profiles on Linkedin.com
  
  
  
  • B.A., Economics, M.A., International Economic Policy -
  
  
  • Masters of International Management, International Management - from Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management
  
  
  • BA, International Affairs - Latin American Studies - The George Washington University
  
  
  • B.S., Business Administration - Elon University
  
  
  • B.A., Political Science - University of California, Santa Cruz
  
  
  • MALD, Intl Negotiations and Conflict Res - from Tufts University - The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
  
  
  • MBA, Business Administration - University of Virginia - Darden Graduate School of Business Administration
  
  
  • BA, Political Science - Villanova University
  
  
  • BA, Communications, Economics, Legal Studies, Political Science - from American University and JD, International Law from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University
  
  
  • BS, International Economics - Georgetown University
  
  
  
  

 

 

Who are the Foreign Service Specialists? What do they do?

The Department of State offers career opportunities to professionals in specialized functions needed to meet Foreign Service responsibilities around the world. As a Foreign Service Specialist, you will provide important technical, support or administrative services at one of 250 posts overseas, in Washington, D.C., or elsewhere in the United States.

As a Foreign Service Specialist, you'll receive excellent paid housing or a housing allowance, health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, paid education for dependent children between K-12, generous paid leave, and an unprecedented chance to see the world and experience different cultures.

The opportunities that exist for Foreign Service Specialists are as diverse as the countries in which they serve. Foreign Service Specialist jobs are grouped into seven major categories: Administration, Construction Engineering, Information Technology, International Information and English Language Programs, Medical and Health, Office Management, and Security.

See who qualifies: http://careers.state.gov/specialist/who-qualifies.html

Employment Opportunities for Foreign Service Specialists http://careers.state.gov/specialist/employment.html

 

Ambassadors

Ambassadors are appointed to their positions by the President of the United States. Most of them are former Foreign Service Officers who have a long history of service to the State Department. You can see a list of US Ambassadors here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambassadors_of_the_United_States

Life Experience degrees

By Career Advisor

Question:

I have been looking for a new job.  I am looking for a
position in management and I have 30 years of experience with 3
different companies.  The problem I have is that I don't get past the
screening process because I do not have a college degree.  I have
considered buying one of the life degrees on line to give myself the
degree.  This seems to be a major issue with a job search as most
companies use a screening process before they even look at your
resume.  Is this dishonest or just a way of playing the game.  I find
it hard to believe that a 4 year degree cannot be offset by a 30 year
career. I know that this is an issue as I have spoken with several HR
managers and been told point blank that I was not considered because
of the lack of degree. What to do?

 

Answer: I'm sure that there is a job opening out there that does not require a college degree. Maybe not one that you want, but they are there.

Unfortunately, in a bad job market, companies are able to get candidates that do have a degree. Faced with choosing someone that has comparable experience to you that has a degree, companies are going to pick the candidate with the degree 99% of the time. I'm sure you already know that.

My view point on Life Experience Degrees.

Life experience degrees or work experience degree are degrees that individuals can obtain through their past experiences in a related field. These degrees are specially designed for adults and professionals who have an ample amount of experience in their respective fields but due to various reasons could not get a professional degree.

It’s for those career-oriented individuals who need to switch their jobs but don’t have a degree to support their change. It’s for those students who leave their educational path mid-way to pursue jobs and want to enhance their career with a degree.

The concept of ‘Degrees on the basis of Life Experience or Work Experience’ originated in 1987 and was evolved from the philosophy of getting some course credits on the basis of experience as offered by the top schools of United States of America.

Problems with Life Experience Degrees:

Accreditation:

Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of an educational institution or program are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met. Should standards be met, accredited status is granted by the agency.

In most countries in the world, the function of educational accreditation is conducted by a government organization, such as a ministry of education. In the United States, however, the quality assurance process is independent of government and performed by private membership associations.

Many of these programs say that they are accredited but are not accredited by the right agency. Many times these colleges will create their own accreditation organizations in order to give themselves false legitimacy. Here is a List of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unrecognized_accreditation_associations_of_higher_learning

An ongoing problem within higher education accreditation is the existence of diploma mills and accreditation mills. These organizations exist to grant apparent degrees without academic course work to give a willing buyer a degree for money. Sometimes both the buyer and seller know this or a potential student is not aware of the fraud. In some cases a diploma mills and/or its "accreditor" is unrecognized and exists only at a post office box or website owned by the proprietor of the school.

The use of unaccredited degree titles is legally restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions. Jurisdictions that have restricted or made illegal the use of credentials from unaccredited schools include Oregon, Michigan, Maine, North Dakota^, New Jersey,Washington, Nevada, Illinois,Indiana,and Texas. Many other states are also considering restrictions on unaccredited degree use in order to help prevent fraud.

 

Legal considerations

In the United States, unaccredited degrees may not be acceptable for financial aid, civil service or other employment. Criminal penalties sometimes apply should such a degree be presented in lieu of one from an accredited school. The use of such degrees are restricted in Oregon, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, North Dakota, Nevada and Washington where improper usage can result in misdemeanor charges punishable by fines. For instance, the state of Washington passed a bill in March 2006 "prohibiting false or misleading college degrees." The state senate "unanimously amended and approved a bill that would make issuing or using a false degree a class C felony, a crime of fraud that could warrant five years in prison and a $10,000 fine." Oregon has a procedure in which unaccredited schools can apply for authorization from the state, which maintains a list of approved and exempt unaccredited schools which are permitted there. An Oregonian wishing to use an unaccredited degree not approved by the state must make it clear that the school is not accredited.

Some state laws allow authorities to shut down large illegal operations of unaccredited schools or diploma mills. In November 2005, a group of operators in Seattle was caught running several diploma mills. The group was indicted after a Secret Service investigation.

Company checking references before interview?

By Career Advisor

Question:

I work in marketing and communications, mid-level coordinator-type jobs, and am in the midst of my second job hunt in the past year (yay layoffs). 

There is one large organization that I would like to work for.  They have openings I am very well-suited for, but every posting from them states that they require 3 references submitted WITH your application.  No other positions I've applied for require this, and every employer I've had in the past asks for them to be supplied at the interview.

I don't want my references being harassed if I apply for multiple positions over the next few months.  I need these people going to bat for me when it counts, and my "third" reference for sure won't like being called repeatedly.  But at the same time, I don't want to take myself out of the running by ignoring the instructions. 

What's the solution?  Do I suck it up and supply references?  Ignore the requirement on the assumption they'll call me if they like my resume?  Acknowledge it in the cover letter and say something like "I look forward to speaking with you soon to provide the requested references and further discuss my qualifications for this position"?

Answer:

I would give them the references.

My company always asks for references when someone fills out an application or applies for one of our jobs listed online. Do we always get them? Usually not. I usually have to ask for them after the candidate interviews and is going to be made an offer.

I doubt if the company would call your references before you interview. Recruiters or Human Resources people do not have the time to call references before you interview. A typical job opening has over a hundred resumes sent for it. It would be a waste of time to check all of them.

State on your cover letter that "References should be called only after interview is completed", if you're still worried about it.

Drivers License Number and SSN needed on application?

By Career Advisor

Question:

Is there any particular reason why any company needs your driver's license number AND social security number on a job application?

I applied for a position and got a response from an employer. I received application documents as well and the application asked for my driver's license number and my social security number.

For some reason, I felt uneasy and for other reasons, decided the job wasn't for me. But I have friends who refuse to give that information to companies unless an offer is close to being made.

This application was for CONSIDERATION for an interview, not necessarily a guarantee of an interview.

Why does anyone need this type of information up front? Thanks!

Answer:

There are 2 scenarios of why these things are asked for on applications:

1. The employer is collecting this information on the application so that they have it for later. Human Resource professionals are always on the lookout for ways where they can make their job easier. If they can eliminate the need to ask you for this information later it will save them time and energy. In a large corporation one recruiter may be hiring for 100 position at once. If there are 3 interviews for each position it would make sense to the recruiter that they collect all the information at once so they do not have to go back to the  100 candidates to collect it later.


2. The employer is asking for this information to check your driving record and do a background or credit check before your interview. I know of a national company that's located in the South that requires that they do a credit check on every candidate before they can interview. They do this to weed out the applicants to cut down on the amount of interviews that the manager has to do. This is legal as long as they have that same role for everyone that applies.

Things to remember about this:

• Always ask why the company needs this information. If after explanation you are still not comfortable, don't give the information until you are made an offer.


• You should be careful of giving that information to a small business before you are made an offer. A small business may not have the oversight from professionally trained H.R. professionals to make sure that the information remains confidential.


• Only give the information that you feel comfortable giving.

British wanting to work in USA

By Career Advisor

Question:

Hi, I'm from Great Britain. I have been traveling for the last 5 yrs and I now want
to find a job on cruises as an entertainer but I cant do that because I have
no experience. I'll just do anything in bar work or waitress! or even
working abroad in a hotel like in the USA?? I want a chance to work
somewhere like that but all the sites I see to work in the USA only
want students! please help me!

Answer: Qualifying to work in the USA or for US companies is difficult and confusing. You can apply to jobs and then have the company help you with all the paperwork. Most companies have dedicated staff that do this. Doing this has been made more difficult by the recent economic downturn in the U.S. Employers are less likely to sponsor work authorization for foreign nationals when they can find U.S. citizens to fill the position.

You can try to acquire a Visa on your own and come to the U.S. in the hope that you will find a job. Below is some information to get you started on your path.

The first website you should go to is http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/index.html

 

What is a Visa?

If you’re a citizen of a foreign country, in most cases you’ll need a visa to enter the United States.

A visa doesn’t permit entry to the U.S., however. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate, and that the officer has determined you’re eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. Consular affairs are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of State.

A visa allows you to travel to the United States as far as the port of entry (airport or land border crossing) and ask the immigration officer to allow you to enter the country. Only the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United States. He or she decides how long you can stay for any particular visit. Immigration matters are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant.

Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live permanently in the U.S. Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study.

 

How to Get a Visa?

http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/obtainingvisa/index.html

 

All information about Employment Authorization can be found at: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Included among the immigration benefits the USCIS oversees are: citizenship, lawful permanent residency, family- and employment-related immigration, employment authorization, inter-country adoptions, asylum and refugee status, replacement immigration documents, and foreign student authorization.

Employment Authorization?

U.S. employers must check to make sure all employees, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are allowed to work in the United States. If you are not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to prove you may work in the United States.

USCIS issues Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) in the following categories:

• EAD: This document proves you are allowed to work in the United States.

• Renewal EAD: You cannot file for a renewal EAD more than 120 days before your original EAD expires.

• Replacement EAD: This document replaces a lost, stolen, or mutilated EAD. A replacement EAD also replaces an EAD that was issued with incorrect information, such as a misspelled name.

Once you are allowed to work in the US, you can apply to jobs. There are many hotel and cruise line jobs that you should be qualified for.

Hotel Jobs: http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-Hotel

Motel Jobs: http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-Motel

Cruise Line Jobs: http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-Cruise+Lines

Finding work experience

By Career Advisor

Question:

I've just finished a masters degree in health psychology and
wish in the future to complete a doctorate in clinical psychology,
however my problem is I need at least 6months relevant work experience
before I can apply for my doctorate but it seems to be impossible to
find anything without having any previous work experience-can you
please help??

 

Answer:

Someone with a masters degree in health psychology has many options to gain relevant work experience. I'm surprised that you're having a hard time finding it. I'm guessing that you're view of what is relevant (or more likely what you want to do) is different that mine.

You first step should be to find out from the Doctoral Programs that you're interested in, what they classify as "relevant work experience". An example of this is that Michigan State University classifies it as "Relevant work experience related to mental health or helping people with problems" (http://psychology.msu.edu/clinical/m-three/FAQ.html). James Madison University will also include Volunteering and Internships as relevant work experience. The  Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine's application for admission (http://www.pcom.edu/general_information/SCHOOL-MS-applinstr-.pdf)  says to list "professional, teaching, work study, and co-op" experience as relevant.

If the program that you want to get into will include volunteering as relevant, it should not be hard to gain that. Just go to any of the behavioral clinics that are in your area.

If they require work experience set your sights low.

Here are some jobs as Psychiatric Technician: http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-psychiatric+clinical+technician

Here are some jobs as Mental Health Technician: http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-"Mental+Health+Technician"

These may not be the type of jobs that you want, but they will give you the experience needed.

I was fired for Twittering!

By Career Advisor

Question: I posted something in my Twitter that wasn't going public until the next morning. My company found out and I was fired. I did something dumb. I admit that.

I'm looking at the requirements for NY state unemployment, and I meet them, but I'm concerned that I might be denied since I was fired for breaking a company policy.

Am I basically immediately and completely denied unemployment? I'm planning to file and tell them the truth about what happened, but is this an immediate and total claim denial? Do I have a chance?

Answer: Under the New York Unemployment Insurance Program you may be denied benefits if:

"You were fired because your employer alleged that you violated a company policy, rule or procedure, such as absenteeism or insubordination; because of a disagreement or dispute with a boss or co-worker; or you were fired for any other reason."

Reference: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/ui/claimantinfo/beforeyouapplyfaq.shtm#1

You will be allowed to file the claim. The claim will be sent to the employer and it is up to them to contest it or not.

Q: What if I am denied benefits?
A: If you are denied benefits, a Notice of Determination will be mailed to you telling you the reasons why. This notice will also explain for what period of time benefits are being denied, how to re-qualify and how to ask for a hearing.

Q: What is willful misrepresentation? (make sure you tell the truth like you said)
A: A forfeit penalty is imposed when it has been determined that you knowingly made false statements to obtain benefits or that you purposely withheld pertinent information to obtain benefits. It results in a reduction of your rights to future benefits for a stated time period. Any future payments you may be eligible to will be used to liquidate a forfeit penalty by withholding and offsetting benefits.

Q: What is a hearing?
A: A hearing is an informal proceeding held before an administrative law judge. Based on the evidence presented at the hearing, the judge will decide whether you are entitled to or eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. At the hearing, you, your employer and any witnesses for either side may testify. The testimony will be recorded. Either side can also present papers or other physical evidence.

Q: How do I request a hearing?
A: You may request a hearing on any determination affecting your rights to benefits by writing a letter to NYS Department of Labor, P.O. Box 15131, Albany, NY 12212-5131. The request must be postmarked or otherwise proven to have been filed within 30 days after the mailing or personal delivery of the determination.  Absent proof to the contrary, a determination shall be deemed to have been mailed on the date recited on it and received by a party to whom it is addressed no later than five business days after the date on which it is mailed.  Make sure you include your Social Security number on your hearing request and the reasons you disagree with the determination. You will be notified of the date, time and place of the hearing by the Administrative Law Judge section after your request has been processed.

To protect your rights, you must continue to claim weekly benefits for any week in which you are unemployed. Claim your weekly unemployment benefits online using WEB-SERVICE. You may also use a touch-tone telephone or a telephone with a pulse/tone switch by calling TEL-SERVICE at 1-888-581-5812 for New York State residents or 1-888-864-9920 for out of state residents.

Reference: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/ui/claimantinfo/hearingfaq.shtm#4

Loose everything I own to stay at a job I hate?

By Career Advisor

Question: I am a Quality Supervisor in a small facility. I've been here for a year and I hate my job. I was mislead during the interview about what my job would consist of and it continues to change on a daily basis. Since the economy is so bad we have let a few people go and their jobs have now been added onto my job. They are now discussing making us take off on Fridays without pay and docking our pay 10%. It has become a daily battle at work and I am miserable. I am expected to complete all of my past job duties plus the added on jobs of two others that have been let go. When I explain to my boss that I do not have the time he simply tells me to make time. I can not afford to take a pay cut and there are no other jobs available any where close to my area. Do I loose everything I own to stay at a job I hate or do I get fired and risk not being able to get unemployment? What can I do?

Answer: First, if you get fired you will get unemployment. If you quit, you will not get unemployment. Second, do not quit.

You need to find a new job before you can quit. It's clear from your question that you are going to be looking for another job. The economy is bad. If you quit, you may be unemployed of months. It's important to find a way to look for another job while you are still working this one.

If there are no other jobs available close to your area, you may need to think about relocating. Here are some tips for relocating:

1. Relocating costs money, decide who is paying for it. Some employers are willing to pay relocation assistance. This depends on the job and the employer. I have seen a decrease in the amount of relocation assistance given by employers in the past year. This is because of the economy.


2. If you have to pay for it, make sure potential employers know that you are able and willing to do it. State in your cover letter that you are willing to relocate anywhere at your own expense.


3. If the employer is paying for it, make sure you know the details. Make sure that the details of what they are paying for are stated in detail on your job offer. This will save some financial mistakes from happening.

Here are a couple of tips for job hunting while still employed:

1. Never use your work email for job hunting. Make sure you have a private email address listed on your resume.


2. If you can, group several in-person interviews on the same day. This may be difficult to do, but will let you take a sick day from your current job to go to multiple interviews.

Resume Word Formats?

By Career Advisor

Question: I have posted my resume in a Word 2003 file format and I seem to find that, when viewed on my profile, the text seems squashed together and the word wrapping has changed.  I could obviously play around with the spacing and see what works, uploading it I'm sure several times, but I figured if there was a page layout that enabled the resume to look correct to the format it was created in, it might save valuable time.  Are there recommended spacings for right, left, top, bottom for the edge spacing?  Is there specific line spacing that works well so my resume appears as I created it? 
Again, any tips or advice with this would be a big help as I do not see much on this subject so far in searching the forums.  Thanks again.

 

Answer: Saving your resume as a Rich Text File will solve this problem. There are some formatting features in Word 2003 and 2007 that are not compatible with the text readers in the scanning software that online Job Boards use. It can not always translate the formatting very well.

Saving your resume as Rich Text File (.rtf) will keep the formatting, but in a way that is easy for the job boards to translate with little formatting errors.

Travel Jobs

By Career Advisor

Question:

I am 34 years old and have been working in Public Safety for
8 years now.  I am looking for a career change that will allow me to
travel and not be confined to a desk.  The job doesn't have to pay
mega bucks, but it does need to pay the bills.  I just want a job I
can enjoy and make money at.  Please help advice which direction I
need to take.

Answer: There are many jobs that require travel depending on just how much travel that you are looking for.

Here are some jobs that will let you travel throughout that the day but be able to be at home at night:

- Outside Sales Jobs http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-"Outside+Sales"

- Route Sales Jobs http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-"Outside+Sales"

- Daily Travel Jobs http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-"Daily+Travel"l

- Travel Required Jobs http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-"Travel+Required"

If you want to travel long distances and see the World try these jobs:

- Cruise Line Jobs http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-"Cruise+Line"/l-FL/mi-50

- Travel Jobs on About.com http://jobsearch.about.com/od/traveljobs/Travel_and_Transportation_Jobs.htm

Boldness

By Career Advisor

Question:

There is one company to which I am particularly interested in applying.  It has what might be a "dream job" for me.  However, it apparently accepts only, or at least strongly prefers, the bloodless, literally inhuman method of applying for jobs using its Web site.  Here, networking might well be critical.

The problem is this:  I don't know anyone personally who works there, except for an ex-manager who left there at least seven years ago.  One of my "connections" at a well-known professional networking site used to work with me at our previous company (not the one I'm now interested in).  He's indicated that he's a "connection" with regard to one of my company-of-interest's HR people, saying he had interviewed with her when he had tried to get a job with the company himself.  He offered to (1) introduce me directly or (2) at least "smoke out" what might be involved with applying there successfully, without giving her my name.

Because he apparently does not know her well, I'd lean toward asking him to pursue the second option.  My real goal for now, however, is to find a "connection" who knows someone at this company really well--ideally, the hiring manager or someone she knows and trusts.

What strategy would you recommend to help create an "in" in this online corporate wall?

Let me know, by this Tuesday (March 3) if you can.  Time is of the essence.
lmem

Answer:

You're right that you want to find out who the Hiring Manager is rather then the HR Manager. The HR Manager will not be able to do more for you then what you would get from applying online. Make sure you apply online so that you do not get roled out for not following protocol, but do not stop there.

Use LinkedIN or some other site to narrow down the name of this Hiring Manager. You should have an idea of what department they would be working in. Get the main phone number off of the corporate web site. Call the main number and ask to speak to that person.

Once you have that person on the phone, tell them who you are and that you wanted to reach him/her personally about the position in the hope that they would remember you over the many resumes that they will receive.

Some people may think that this is bold. I would agree. Boldness is what is needed in this hiring environment. I know because I look at resumes all day.