State Department Offers Foreign Service Job App

Mobile Government: 10 Must-Have Smartphone Apps

Do you have what it takes to be a U.S. diplomat? A new mobile application from the Department of State can help provide the answer.

The app, DOSCareers, debuted March 20 in the Apple iTunes and Google Play online stores. It was developed by the State Department's Office of Recruitment to reach foreign-service candidates with different educational and cultural backgrounds.

The app offers more than 500 questions that can be used to prepare for Foreign Service Officer Tests. The questions, drawn from actual tests, gauge a user's knowledge of federal government and culture, world history, technology, economics and other topics.

DOSCareers offers resources to those seeking information about diplomatic jobs, including the experiences of foreign service professionals. iPhone and Android users can watch videos of employees in different roles and browse the career path descriptions of Foreign Service specialists and officers.

[ Scratchy throat? Download a CDC app. Read Feds Update Flu Apps. ]

A maps feature lets users locate diplomats in residence, who can offer career guidance and advice; and find recruitment events based on location.

The app has received mostly positive reviews since its launch, garnering five stars on iTunes. It's been downloaded more than 1,000 times on Google Play.

DOSCareers joins a growing list of career-oriented apps from Uncle Sam. Others include USAJobs, a listing of federal jobs from the Office of Personnel Management; and IRS Jobs Mobile.

The State Department is looking for IT pros, among other job categories. The agency's careers site lists "many vacancies throughout the world" for information management specialists, at starting salaries ranging from $43,000 to $63,000. Job requirements include managing hardware, software and applications, supporting cybersecurity, and an ability to obtain top secret security clearance.

InformationWeek's 2013 Government IT Innovators program will feature the most innovative government IT organizations in the 2013 InformationWeek 500 issue and on InformationWeek.com. Does your organization have what it takes? The nomination period for 2013 Government IT Innovators closes April 12.