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Interview for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Hi everyone,

I have an interview for the FCO coming up shortly and I was wondering if anyone could give me any hints or tips as to what to expect. Advice on the presentation I'm supposed to give as well would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

edited to add that I'm applying for post of Operational Officer in the Diplomatic Service.

Reply 1

groovy_moose

1

I don't have any advise/knowledge i'm afraid, but i'd really love to know how it goes/ what kind of thing happens, as it's something i'm quite interested in my self.

Good Luck!

Reply 2

Realist101

13

yes i too would like info on this, im very interested in the diplomat service or anything government related.

Reply 3

stockholm

7

I applied for a grad scheme in the civil service and for the interview, they gave me time to prepare examples of e.g., team work, overcoming difficulties? etc. and within these areas, they then asked lots more specific questions. One thing I remember was when they said "give an example of when you tried something new/learnt a new skill", I told them about learning Chinese, and when I got my evaluation back, it said something like "shows no interest in personal development"...which is WAY off the mark! I didn't get the job, clearly!

So... I would recommend preparing for competency based questions, and make sure they're good ones!

Reply 4

Nutter

16

stockholm

I applied for a grad scheme in the civil service and for the interview, they gave me time to prepare examples of e.g., team work, overcoming difficulties? etc. and within these areas, they then asked lots more specific questions. One thing I remember was when they said "give an example of when you tried something new/learnt a new skill", I told them about learning Chinese, and when I got my evaluation back, it said something like "shows no interest in personal development"...which is WAY off the mark! I didn't get the job, clearly!

So... I would recommend preparing for competency based questions, and make sure they're good ones!

That does seem rather odd, but perhaps it's the manner in which you conveyed that across?

The manner of presentation certainly matters.

Reply 5

soup_dragon87

Midwinter

edited to add that I'm applying for post of Operational Officer in the Diplomatic Service.

Oo, I'm interested in the dip. service too :smile:

Although I'll be applying after uni lol. I'd like to know about your interview once you've had it.

Reply 6

danni_bella

17

Oh good luck, hopefully you should get it :biggrin:

Reply 7

thatwhichiam

14

Wow, and there was me thinking I was the only one interested being a diplomat...
But if they're being that strict in the interview, I may as well give up now... :frown:

I don't do anything like that...playing the guitar and whatnot, I'd be doomed before I even got in the room.

Reply 8

cherry_pez

thatwhichiam

Wow, and there was me thinking I was the only one interested being a diplomat...
But if they're being that strict in the interview, I may as well give up now... :frown:

I don't do anything like that...playing the guitar and whatnot, I'd be doomed before I even got in the room.

Hey! Don't think like that...at the end of the day (without sounding too cliche) its better to be enthusiastic with a professional/confident personality etc. Who give's a monkeys if you play the flute or not? I honestly don't think they'll be that bad...

Interview for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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