Almost every country in the world has dedicated personnel stationed at an embassy office in another country. A diplomat’s primary responsibility is to provide government services to a country’s citizens living abroad and to represent the government at state functions. The government of each country decides where an embassy will be located, who will be appointed to the post, and how long the assignment will last. Interpersonal skills, language skills, and a satisfactory background check are among the requirements for becoming a diplomat.
The specific requirements for becoming a diplomat differ by country. All positions, however, have similar basic requirements and skill sets that must be met in order to be successful. Diplomats are people who are naturally outgoing, have a good command of languages, and can use conflict resolution skills to defuse a situation. Living in different countries, working with local governments, and providing support as needed are all part of a diplomatic career.
Eligibility is the first step toward becoming a diplomat. Candidates must be a legal adult and a citizen. In an ideal world, post-secondary education would have been completed at an accredited institution. Training in a variety of disciplines is available, with the humanities being the most popular.
Language skills are essential for anyone aspiring to be a diplomat. Fluency in all official languages is required, and the ability to learn new languages quickly and proficiently is regarded as a valuable asset. Candidates should be familiar with international customs for public events such as weddings and funerals in addition to excellent written and oral communication skills.
A thorough background check is required, which includes a search for criminal records as well as financial and credit information. Drug and health screening are also part of the application process in some countries. These checks are thought to be the most effective way to avoid an embarrassing situation. Any examples or history of poor judgment or decision-making will reflect poorly on your application to be a diplomat.
Exams are required in most countries as part of the application process. These exams could be written, oral, or a combination of the two. Exam topics typically include the country’s history, international politics, knowledge of world history and geography, and critical thinking skills.
A variety of private schools provide preparatory courses to help students prepare for these exams. Textbooks, online materials, and workbooks are all excellent sources of information that can be used to prepare on your own. You should research the exams ahead of time to find out how long they will last, what format they will take, and what the pass rate will be.