Where can I find U.S. Department of State interview experiences by job title?

Foreign Service Officer (336) ; Intern (238) ; Foreign Affairs Officer (87) ; Passport Specialist (57) ; FSO (53) ; Diplomat (34) ; Internship (34) ; Special Agent (32) ; Program Analyst (23) ; Senior Advisor (23) ; Analyst (21) ; Supervisory Special Agent (16) ; Information Management Specialist (15) ; Public Affairs Intern (15) ; Consular Officer (14)

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U.S. Department of State

U.S. Department of State interview questions

based on 346 ratings - Updated Oct 29, 2025

Average interview difficulty

Very positive interview experience

How others got an interview

88%
Applied online
Applied online
4%
Other
Other
3%
In Person
In Person
2%
Employee Referral
Employee Referral
2%
Campus Recruiting
Campus Recruiting
1%
Staffing Agency
Staffing Agency
1%
Recruiter
Recruiter

Interview search

346 interviews

Intern Interview

Oct 6, 2016

Anonymous employee

Accepted offer

Positive experience

Easy interview

Application

I applied online. I interviewed at U.S. Department of State

Interview

It was a fairly informal interview over the phone. They seemed more concerned with whether or not I would work 40 hours a week. They did not ask any tough knowledge questions to test my economic or political knowledge. The main thing to consider is the security clearance process can take a long time.

Interview questions [1]

Question 1

Why do you want to work for the State Department

Answer question

Personal Services Contractor Interview

Sep 19, 2016

Anonymous employee

Accepted offer

Positive experience

Average interview

Application

I applied online. The process took 6 months. I interviewed at U.S. Department of State (Rosslyn, VA) in Nov 2014

Interview

Two separate phone interviews with direct report supervisor and later with direct report supervisor and director. No physical interview was required. Position requires extensive experience and qualification in a highly technical and specialized skill set.

Interview questions [1]

Question 1

"Are you willing and able to take this position?" Position involves extensive time away from home in austere environments with a relatively high degree of personal risk.

1 Answer

Employment Specialist Interview

Sep 1, 2016

Anonymous Interview Candidate

No offer

Positive experience

Difficult interview

Application

I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at U.S. Department of State (Washington, DC)

Interview

I Applied online and had an interview date after four weeks. I was contacted by email. They were flexible about the date, and they even suggested if I wanted to be interviewed on the phone, since I was living outside DC area. The overall experience was smooth and the interviewers were nice.

Interview questions [3]

Question 1

How did you hear about the job and why did you apply.

Answer question

Question 2

Tell us about yourself and your IT proficiencies.

Answer question

Question 3

Do you qualify for a security clearance.

Answer question

Viewing 226 - 230 of 346 Interviews

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