Learn About the Foreign Service and Your Family
Since this career track affects you and your immediate family, you probably have a lot of questions about what can be expected and what support systems are in place to ease your transition to a global lifestyle. To learn more, visit our Family Liaison Office.
New: This site has just added Frequently Asked Questions related to spouses who are not U.S. citizens.
Is the Foreign Service right for you?
Becoming a Foreign Service Officer is a career opportunity of a lifetime. But it isn't the right job for everyone. While some people might find the job challenging, exciting and rewarding, others will see it as a less-than-perfect match. The questions below will help you to determine if the Foreign Service is right for you.
There is not a right or wrong answer, but it is important for you to answer each question truthfully. After all, this is your career choice and you want it to be the right one. The results of the questionnaire will be tabulated into a bar chart for you. But remember, no chart will offer you 100 percent certainty as to whether a particular job is right or wrong for you. This is just a guide. The U.S. Department of State does not record, retain or pass on the information obtained in this questionnaire. The results are for your information only.
A career in the Foreign Service provides the most interesting work in the world and opportunities that few jobs can rival. Ask yourself, "Would I enjoy...