<p>Generally to get into entry-level civil service with the State Dept. (apart from FSO) you need an “in” aka it is extremely difficult/competitive. If you are really set on getting a civil service job with the State Dept be sure to apply to the State department internships (pathways, student experience, or summer clerical programs). One of my classmates interned there for 2 semesters and then got a full-time job offer as a result. Don’t expect much though - my one coworker interned there for 8 months and she loved it there - but they had no full time positions to offer her so she had to take a job with another agency. Also look into the Virtual Student Foreign Service program that they hold- not quite a real position, but still would look good on the resume if you were applying for a entry level position. Also, quite a few people get into the State Department through the Presidential Management Fellows program (PMF) that you apply to during grad school.</p>
<p>For the FSO, as chrisw said, it is ridiculously competitive. Even if you pass the written exam/personal statements, you still have to wait for interview rounds (which can be months or even years) before they actually call on you.</p>