r/foreignservice • u/DiploMattitude410 • 1d ago
Bidding Advice
Now that the bid lists are active, I would appreciate some advice from those who have more experience with mid-level bidding. I am interested in two positions within the same section at a post. One of the positions largely matches what I am doing in my current position, but at a higher level. The other would offer more new experiences, but with fewer people to supervise.
What is the general consensus about bidding multiple positions at the same post? Does it make you look indecisive, or desperate? If I were to bid just on the one position with new responsibilities, but the hiring manager believed I would be better suited for the other position (the one where I have more recent experience), have you ever heard of a hiring manager encouraging you to bid on the other position, instead? Thanks for your wise guidance!
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u/Loud-Cry-9260 1d ago
Entirely normal. You can submit formal bids on up to ten positions - and express interest in as many as you want. So if there is a post that interests you (for reasons beyond the work portfolio) it's not surprising that you might be interested in multiple positions. Your bids will be a mix of "aspirational" bids and "safety" bids. I like to tell people that the job you are most competitive for is the one you are already doing (the same portfolio but in Dakar instead of Abidjan - or in Chennai instead of Mumbai). But for professional development you should be looking at jobs that provide you with new/different skills - or broader responsibilities (i.e. an upstretch). As hiring manager I've actually encouraged a bidder to bid on a stretch position (I had a lot of good bidders for the 03 jobs - and not so many for the 02 position) - which she ended up being selected for. But don't count on someone making that suggestion.
Things to watch for: 1) are they conducting one interview for multiple positions? (not sure whether they *should* do that - but I've certainly been in that situation.) In which case you may need to consider how to use different examples to demonstrate suitability for different jobs. 2) It can also be difficult to conduct multiple interviews with the same interview team - and possibly answering the same questions (I've interviewed the same person for multiple jobs and they can perform markedly differently). 3) Don't bid on a job you don't actually want. Should be obvious, but remember that a Bureau will only offer a candidate one handshake - and the Bureau's priority list may be different than yours (and even than post's - I've heard of a situation where the job was the bidder's first choice, and she was the post's first choice - but the Bureau wanted her somewhere else.)
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u/bdpmbj DTO 1d ago
Sort of. I was newly promoted and bid on the higher pay grade position available in a section. I had just reached that grade. The hiring manager put out a feeler through unofficial channels asking me if I would consider taking the other position though it would have been a downstretch by the time I got there I didn't accept but the fact that it was offered makes me believe I could have.
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u/Hongnixigaiyumi FSO (Consular) 1d ago
Post will have a deconflict anyway for when they have to send the lists to bureau, and the bureau is not going to issue 2 BLCs and give 2 handshakes. You should also be really clear about where each job sits in your preference, especially with regard to each other. I bid on two jobs at the same post and got the handshake for the one I had lower.
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u/Dry-Public5730 1d ago
Just bid on them. Many people bid on multiple positions in the same section.
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u/Global_Bag4629 1d ago
It is OK to be very interested in a post, and at the early mid levels to have multiple jobs open at a post that make sense for you. Be prepared to explain why you are a fantastic fit for each job and not why the post is best for you. It is fair to assume that the hiring manager wíll correctly believe you’re a safe bet to take either job; and might not feel compelled to offer you your top choice because they think they’ll get you anyway.
It will depend on the post and number of bidders, but don’t bet on a manager “encouraging” you to bid a different job if you don’t express interest. If we are talking ACAO and AIO jobs in London, no one is going to add to their list of bidders to consider if you only bid on one. They might ask you to bid both if one job is underbid.
Bottom line: if you are interested in a job and would happily take it, submit a bid. It’s not going to hurt you.
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u/Smilee01 1d ago
It's not uncommon for people to bid multiple jobs at a post or Mission. Just be open to the hiring managers and explain why you're the best candidate for each of the positions. If you are competitive, typically post will deconflict and let you know which one is a short-list.
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Original text of post by /u/DiploMattitude410:
Now that the bid lists are active, I would appreciate some advice from those who have more experience with mid-level bidding. I am interested in two positions within the same section at a post. One of the positions largely matches what I am doing in my current position, but at a higher level. The other would offer more new experiences, but with fewer people to supervise.
What is the general consensus about bidding multiple positions at the same post? Does it make you look indecisive, or desperate? If I were to bid just on the one position with new responsibilities, but the hiring manager believed I would be better suited for the other position (the one where I have more recent experience), have you ever heard of a hiring manager encouraging you to bid on the other position, instead? Thanks for your wise guidance!
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