MFA- Foreign Service Administration Specialist 2020 Interview
 

Hi guys

Recently just went through this and wondering what's the actual career prospects that this position has.. would like to hear from someone who has actually worked in MFA before.

Just went through the english test, logistical test and situational test.

I heard from HR that this position is meant for not as educated people (e.g. A levels and Poly students). and the HR said that some of the applicant has "some" experiences in university (heck what does she even mean? university is university right?)

Any idea about the bonuses, starting salary and benefits?

Do share your experiences thanks!

Hi there! Like what you said, the FSAS scheme is mainly directed towards non-degree holders serving a periphery role to FSOs in MFA. There are degree holders (mainly SIM grads) under this scheme as well.

It’s a great scheme to experience how life is like with the foreign service but please do not consider it as a long career option. You can talk to senior FSAS or ex FSAS around, the workload and the nature of the tasking (for senior FSAS especially) is exactly the same as the FSO scheme but you guys are severely receiving the shorter end of the stick in terms of remuneration.

My five cents... go through with the job for a bout 2 – 3 years, save up cash for your masters at a prestigious uni, and reapply for the FSO scheme.

Isnt FSO scheme reserved for top scholars only?

Out of all the ministries, indeed most PSC scholars flock over to MFA under the FSO scheme.

However, we do have tons of “farmer” FSOs in the foreign service. Especially experienced hires!

Nope.

There are those from JC who receive MFA scholarship to study in top overseas uni like Oxford etc. They come back as political/economic track FSOs and are of course on the fast track.

The other FSOs both in political and functional track are non-scholars who come from both local uni and overseas uni. They go through the selection tests (round 1 english tests, essay and roundtable discussion, round 2 assessment centre, round 3 panel interview) to become FSOs.

What about SUSS or NTU biological science graduates ?

Are they able to join as FSO?

Since you mentioned fast track, in terms of career path, how big is the scholar/farmer divide? TIA!

Im talking about those with 100-199 rang PSLE

N levels & O levels about 16++

Go into poly route and have subpar 3.0 gpa

Went into SUSS or aussie uni.


Came out as 2nd lower honors.

The FSO scheme doesn’t have an explicit preference for a particular major per se. It does however have a knack for outstanding academic performance and transcripts from prestigious universities.

Have not heard of any FSOs coming in fresh from subpar universities like SIM or non-G8 Aussie unis. They will most likely fall under the FSAS track unfortunately.

What you can do however if you hold lackluster academic credentials is like one of the previous poster said... work for a couple of years, save up cash, study hard for your GRE and rebrand yourself with a good MSc/MA. Only then do you stand a fighting chance in joining the FSO scheme.

Tbh, your chances of becoming an FSO holding a 2nd lower is zero to none unless you have a strong value proposition like business level proficiency in a foreign language. Even so, it’s still an uphill task.

Second lower honours FSO dun like...

so in conclusion, it's all about paper grades. vote wisely guys.

Hi OP you would get a much more meaningful answer if you are more specific with your questions and provide more information on your background. In general, career prospects are decent imo if you consider the type of qualifications they are looking for (no degree).

I would like to contradict your belief that MFA only cares about paper grades. They make you go through all these rounds of tests/AC so that they can judge your capability more holistically. Most other companies (including private sector) don't give this benefit of doubt and judge you based on your resume and interview only.

ew who wants to work in mfa under vivian

I hope you’re trolling on this one.

Even if Singapore elects a libtard to run parliament, it still won’t affect the hiring process of competitive employers like MFA.

“Paper grades” are used to sieve out the large applicant pool, shortlisting the ones for the next rounds of assessment which are in fact... holistic.

3rd and final interview questions
 

Hi all! Been looking through this thread. And was wondering how the final interview will be like and type of qns asked?

The FSAS scheme is for private degree holders and diploma holders. Pay-wise expect about 2-3k (with a correspondingly lower salary for diploma holders). To be clear, you will not hold diplomatic status but you will be a support staff member.

Your title will likely be XX Executive.

Serving FSO here - just want to moderate your expectations - have never heard of a FSAS becoming an FSO. There were a few that tried but were not successful. It’s also a very rank-oriented organisation where superiors can literally rail at you for anything. So it’s not good to be near the bottom of the totem pole.

To see the sort of people that come in, just search Foreign Service Officer on Linkedin.
I have never seen a FSAS become a FSO. They just dont have the pedigree.

Had a final interview and seems like it will be a support role with zero exposure to the political front of the action and every work will be back end support role.

You will start off as an assistant executive.

Hope it helps for anyone applying for it. Please do share your experiences too.

how long does it takes from stage 1 (teleconference/logistic/written test) to the next? Been 2 weeks now yet to receive a response from them. From the 1st teleconference meeting to asking me head down for the assessment has been very responsive so far.

It took for me roughly a total of close to 5 months before everything was settled. First to third interview lasted around 2 months then waited around 3 months before I gotten a confirmation call. Expect to wait some time after the 3rd interview.

Is the 2nd stage just psychometric tests done at MFA?

anyone knows if there are overseas allowance?

Why are you so hardup for the allowance? If you’re looking for money then this isnt the place for you.

Any idea what is the expected package I will receive as a private uni graduate? Thank you.

You mean people on salary.sg cares most about salary? GASPS

Not necessary to start a fight with the keyboard warriors here. . .

But ex-FSAS able to share? im also interested to know if they pay overseas allowances

Thanks

May I ask if this post is stationed overseas??
I want to be stationed overseas for personal reasons.

I don't care about an allowance if accommodation has been arranged to be honest

Don't jiaowei lah. Everyone does it for the money, nobody is running a charity here.

how is the interview like??

can anyone share interview tips or how the process is like?

5 months is a pretty long wait

is this really the norm???

Yes, the usual hiring norm for MFA applicants to be accepted is about 5-6 months, including all the interviews, tests and security clearance.

yes


most of the time, you rotate between local and overseas.

if you have a personal reason for wanting to be overseas, beware. don't think you get to choose where you go. also, if it is because you have batam mistress, you jolly well better not go there and become kompromat :D

no experience with this. but i think security clearance is the bottleneck

how long does FSAS posted to overseas?

applied FSAS

14 Dec interview round 1
17 Dec on-site test + online quiz

if can survive past these 2 rounds then will go final round for panel interview

Got any news after interview ?

so far no news yet since doing the 2 interview rounds in December.

the usual long silence

I had my psychometric test in sept.. received a call for interview for next week..

seems like this batch of applicants still got chance.

Had my test and interview all in December stiill no news yet,