U.S. Department of State

There are no precise hiring targets, but with the Department's budget decreasing or at best leveling, hiring will be significantly lower in 2011 and 2012 than it has been in the past couple of years.  Neither number nor size of entering classes has been set yet.  If hiring is only to even out attrition, that will depend on the number of current FSOs retiring or resigning so could be on the order of any of the numbers you mention. 

The number of candidates invited to the Oral Assessment will be reduced to balance the number of candidates on the Register with the likely number of available positions.  As of now, no other changes to the selection process are anticipated. 

Hiring rates are always subject to available funding, the Department's hiring needs, and number of vacant positions.  The number of vacant positions is driven by funding and attrition.  Attrition is driven by promotion rates, resignations, and retirements.  That is quite a number of variables and so we cannot give you a definite answer now, nor can we predict when a clearer picture will emerge. 

We encourage all candidates interested in the Foreign Service to pursue this career and the attendant steps in the selection process regardless of the uncertain outlook.  The best candidates, with the highest scores on the Register, will usually get a job offer even in such uncertain times.