My obsession with my article is almost over. I promise more interesting, to me at least, posts will appear soon. In the interim, enjoy the tuneage filling my Sonos this month.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
How to Ace the Bio Section of the FSOT
For those of you taking the FSOT in February, I have some advice on how to do well on the biographical portion of the exam. Like all advice, take it with a grain of salt. I'm not a test-designer, nor do I have any special education in personality analysis. That being said, I have done very well on the bio portion in the past, and I have suspicions as to why. So here it is:
1. Know your history. Before taking the FSOT, spend some time with your resume. Make sure you know what you've put there and be able to regurgitate it.
2. Be consistent. Typical examinations of biographical information/personality analysis will ask the same questions in different ways to see if you're answering honestly or at least consistently. While taking the FSOT, try and remember the questions so that when you come across a repeater, you answer it consistently with any previous answers.
3. It's a race. I haven't looked at the number of questions or time alloted for the bio portion of the FSOT, and I'm too lazy to google the answer, but I recall that you have to be able to answer and get on to the next question asap. If you follow #1 and #2, this won't be a problem.
4. The 13 D's. Most of the Foreign Service application process is designed to see how well you fit with the 13 dimensions, as well as your suitability for a life of living abroad. Think of examples from your life that show how you are a living example of a great FSO.
That's all I have. Maybe it helps, maybe not. Regardless, good luck all you February FSOT'ers!
UPDATE: Sorry, it's late for the February test-takers, but I forgot to add: Don't be modest when answering the Bio section. Be proud of your accomplishments! Whether you realize it or not, the FSOT is an interview. So treat it as such.
1. Know your history. Before taking the FSOT, spend some time with your resume. Make sure you know what you've put there and be able to regurgitate it.
2. Be consistent. Typical examinations of biographical information/personality analysis will ask the same questions in different ways to see if you're answering honestly or at least consistently. While taking the FSOT, try and remember the questions so that when you come across a repeater, you answer it consistently with any previous answers.
3. It's a race. I haven't looked at the number of questions or time alloted for the bio portion of the FSOT, and I'm too lazy to google the answer, but I recall that you have to be able to answer and get on to the next question asap. If you follow #1 and #2, this won't be a problem.
4. The 13 D's. Most of the Foreign Service application process is designed to see how well you fit with the 13 dimensions, as well as your suitability for a life of living abroad. Think of examples from your life that show how you are a living example of a great FSO.
That's all I have. Maybe it helps, maybe not. Regardless, good luck all you February FSOT'ers!
UPDATE: Sorry, it's late for the February test-takers, but I forgot to add: Don't be modest when answering the Bio section. Be proud of your accomplishments! Whether you realize it or not, the FSOT is an interview. So treat it as such.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Musical Interlude
I'm working non-stop on my article, because I need to make the submissions deadline this month. As a result, I've not been able to spend much time with friends, both old and new. But I still listen to music. Next post will show how beautiful the pool is.
Been thinking about LA a lot recently.
Been thinking about LA a lot recently.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Pool Progress
Tile and coping has been selected. Here are photographs of the progress so far. New pump, timer, and skimmer have been added. Plastering will begin soon. I know I'm biased, since I picked everything, but I think it looks great!
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