Working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office???

[arabik]

Hi there,

I'm seriously considering joining the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) as an Executive Assistant and was wondering if anyone already works there or knows someone very well who works there, who could give me the inside story, so to speak, warts and all about what a career with them is like, what the job itself is like, etc??

My background is working as a Corporate Executive PA/Assistant/Team Administrator for the last 10 years since I graduated, my degree is in languages and I've lived abroad in 5 different countries already (due to family background and my own work pursuits) so I think I may have a chance at being successful with them!

The only thing about it that is slightly off-putting at present is the low salary but apparently you live rent free once you go on your first overseas posting and besides it's more about a way of life, a career path than big bucks (at least that's what I'm hoping!)

Does anyone have the low-down on what it's really like? I'd appreciate any info - good or bad!

[dzug]

You look desperately over-qualified for it - it's aimed at those without A levels though I'm sure having them or above doesn't disqualify you. In the old civil service it would have been called Clerical Assistant, now renamed Administrative Assistant. Executive Assistants are roughly the same except they have an overseas committment and maybe slightly more responsibility.

I'd aim higher - operational officer or policy officer if I were you. Not so much for the money but for better work.

[arabik]

Hi Dzug,

I really appreciate your response. Any input is good input right now as far as I am concerned, but are you sure? Do you really think it's aimed that low? The impression I got off the website was that it's incredibly hard to get into and very sought after??? The website seems to make out that many apply and many fail.

Hence the reason why after initially considering the Operational Officer post I fathomed that it seemed way too beyond me and that the only hope in hell I would have of getting in was as an Executive Assistant (being as most of my professional experience lies in that area). At least that's what they are labelling the position as these days.

Do you really think it's all "Old Skool Stuff" fancily re-hashed into a modern day supposed career structure?

Oh and by the way, I did the online assessment thingy which is supposed to give you a fair idea as to whether or not you have the charateristics to be pre-disposed to a career as an Operational Officer or not and it told me not to bother! I have to say I wasn't entirely convinced that it was wrong!