Foreign service—or advertising?

Noticed on Consumerist that the State Department was hiring. If you’ve recently been let go from an agency, your experience may come in handy. Seems like it after reviewing the preliminary requirements. (Especially the part about not needing a degree.) Sure, you may have to duck once in a while, but hey, there’s hazard pay. Plus, think of the stories you’ll be able to tell if you survive. All while you make up to $150K a year? Where else can you do THAT! See? Advertising! (*Thinks to self, hmmmm...*) See how many questions you could answer yes to based on your particular agency experience. (Uncle Sam even notes which ones are an absolute requirement.)

1. Being a representative of the United States to businesses and governments worldwide?
2. Protecting America's interests through lasting diplomatic efforts?
3. Having high levels of responsibility?
4. Working and interacting with very important and interesting people?
5. Working closely with foreign governments on issues of global importance (e.g., protecting peace, eliminating hunger, promoting free enterprise, etc.)?
6. Traveling frequently to foreign lands?
7. Meeting a wide range of people from many backgrounds and cultures?
8. Learning about and living in new and different cultures?
9. Knowing that the work I do has a direct impact on people?
10. Doing work that has long-term implications affecting the next several generations?
11. Working in an ever changing, challenging and exciting environment?
12. Having a long-term career of 20 years or more?
13. Working with peers and colleagues who are just as talented and motivated as I am?
14. Having excellent living accommodations abroad?
15. Having a career that is a way of life rather than just a job?
16. Working in a busy, lively environment?
17. Helping people to resolve their problems?
18. Having considerable autonomy in my work?
19. Hosting and attending representational events?
20. Resolving important issues with representatives of businesses and governments?
21. Live and work anywhere in the world, even in locations considered “hardship” posts? [Note: This is an absolute requirement.]
22. Learn at least one, if not several, additional languages? [Note: This is an absolute requirement.]
23. Change jobs and locations every 2 - 4 years? [Note: This is an absolute requirement.]
24. Enthusiastically support and defend actions and policies with which I may personally disagree?
25. Live in locations where medical facilities are limited?
26. Excel under considerable time pressure?
27. Be comfortable working with important, high-level people?
28. Work long or unusual hours as necessary (e.g., hosting events, traveling, accommodating others' time schedules, etc.)?
29. Interact with people who are very frustrated or angry with their situation?
30. Live without familiar amenities for extended periods?
31. Stay motivated even if I were assigned to locations or positions that I did not choose?
32. Tolerate situations where there may be chance of physical danger or health hazards?
33. Tolerate living in a location that does not have employment or quality educational opportunities for my family?
34. Enjoy spending two-thirds of the next 20 years living overseas?
35. Tolerate living in locations with very different or even harsh climates?
36. Calmly handle situations where there is pressure (or even conflict) from high-level people?
37. Work on projects with long timelines and undefined outcomes (as opposed to short, discrete tasks)?
38. Tolerate continual interruptions?
39. Repeatedly get people out of problems that they got themselves into?
40. Live in areas where there are few other Americans?