Do you dream of living abroad for several years and influencing the relations of your native country with other states? Then a diplomatic career is for you. We tell you how to become a diplomat or ambassador, and also discuss the main myths about such work.

Diplomat vs Ambassador – What’s the difference?

A diplomat is an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who deals with international relations. In fact, this is a profession within which there are several ranks, from the lowest to the highest:

• attache;
• secretaries;
• advisers;
• envoys;
• ambassadors.

Ambassador, therefore, is the highest diplomatic rank, the pinnacle of a diplomatic career.

Diplomats can perform a variety of functions and deal with, for example, economic, legal or cultural issues.

Ambassadors are usually responsible for important political decisions and directly represent the interests of their native country in another state. So, they can communicate with local officials or protect the rights of their citizens abroad.

Five myths about the profession of a diplomat

Myth #1: Diplomats travel all the time.

Not really. Diplomats do often go on business trips, but at first, somewhere in the first 3 years from the start of work, they usually spend in their own country. After that, you can try to get an appointment abroad and go there for several years. Then you have to go back for a while, and then leave again. There are also short trips.

Myth No. 2. An easy, fun, interesting and comfortable life awaits a diplomat abroad.

No. The diplomatic service, like any other job, involves a lot of boring bureaucratic tasks. Moreover, diplomats work not only in Europe and America, but also in less prosperous countries in Asia or Africa, where their security can often be threatened.

Myth #3: Diplomats have a lot of influence and their ideas and proposals are listened to.

If the diplomat has the highest rank, then perhaps. However, even such a person follows the instructions of the leadership more than takes the initiative. The diplomatic service is very similar to the military: it also has a rigid hierarchy, and orders must be followed.

Myth #4. Diplomats make a lot of money.

At first, definitely not. An employee who has just come to work will receive the minimum wage.

However, employees who work in dangerous countries receive more than those who serve in Europe or the US – this is associated with greater risks to life. At the same time, diplomats living abroad are usually provided with housing and a car, for which they do not need to pay extra.

Myth No. 5. Diplomats choose the country in which they will work

It all depends on the direction in which you studied at the university. And from knowledge of foreign languages.

What qualities, skills and knowledge does a diplomat need?

A diplomat cannot do without these qualities:

• politeness and tact;
• attentiveness and patience;
• sociability and stress resistance;
• analytical thinking.

It is also important to be able to predict, defend your point of view and respond quickly in difficult situations.

In addition, a diplomat needs to be very well versed in the traditions and cultural characteristics of the country in which he serves. Be sure to speak several foreign languages: English, several European or Oriental – it all depends on the direction of service.

Let us give an example of a successful diplomatic career. Gerhard Sayler, 51 years old, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Austria to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

“I have been a diplomat for 24 years. I have always been interested in traveling and being abroad, and not living in one country.

30 years ago, I was one of the first Austrian students who went to study in France under the Erasmus program. My parents did not understand why I was going to another country when there are good universities in Austria. But it is important to look further and more.

I decided to become a diplomat by chance. In his student years he studied at several universities in Austria, France, Portugal and Italy. Then I realized that it was interesting for me to come to these countries not only as a tourist, but also to get professional work experience. And one day at the university I saw a poster about the diplomatic academy in Vienna.

I am interested in this profession. Information about it could only be found in the library. So I learned who a diplomat is and how to become one. It was necessary to know English and another foreign language. It was easier for me because I had already studied abroad. I was also interested in international politics, history and geography. I successfully passed the exam and got a job in Vienna.

After several years of working abroad as a diplomat, I wanted further growth. I saw a vacancy at the Austrian embassy in the capital of Kazakhstan and applied. I thought it would be interesting to work in another country and open a new region.

Kazakhstan is my first job as an ambassador. Prior to that, I served as First Deputy of the Austrian Embassy in Russia, Israel, Belgium and Portugal. I knew Russian, so it was easier for me to move. Upon arrival, I began to study Kazakh in order to better understand the mentality and culture.

Today, in the work of an ambassador, it is important to know several languages ​​at once. Central Asia is a region that is little known in Austria or Central Europe. But here are dynamically developing countries where it is much more interesting to work.

To become an ambassador, experience as a diplomat is important. A person should enjoy meeting people, be ready for networking, find new opportunities for projects, even if something has not been implemented. It is important for an ambassador to be able to prioritize. Good relations between Kazakhstan and Austria are paramount for me. It is important for an ambassador to be able to work in a team, to be part of the whole.

Diplomatic work for me is an opportunity to create interesting projects in another country. These can be events not only within the framework of politics, but also cultural projects. I often lecture at universities. I like working with the younger generation.

Every year we issue more and more visas, more Austrian companies are interested in trade and economic relations. And as an ambassador, I want to make the most of everything. After three years of work, I will know by example what is easier to implement and what is not. Working at the embassy, ​​you notice that every year the number of tourists and students who travel to Austria is increasing. This means that they are interested in the country and a lot of work has been done for this.

There are difficulties in the diplomatic profession today. For example, every three or four years you have to move from one country to another. If you have a family and children, it is difficult for them to change schools and environments. At the same time, there are more opportunities to meet friends in another country via Skype or meet former colleagues.

Upon arrival in a new city, you do not know which supermarket is better, where to rent an apartment and how to register a car. Such everyday moments are easier to solve every year, because people are becoming more open and technology is available.

My day begins with the fact that the first deputy and I look at receptions and plans for the whole day. Then I look through WhatsApp, mail and other communication channels. I hold meetings with delegates from other countries. You have to sign papers two or three hours a day. Then I spend work in social networks, which was not the case 20 years ago. The embassy has a Facebook, website, Instagram and Twitter that are a must-see.

Ambassadors cannot work for ten years at the same place. We need to move, take the initiative, create something creative. Because after three or four years at the same job you begin to repeat yourself.

For three years of work in one country as an ambassador, you get to know a lot of new people, more contacts appear. Over time, this will happen even faster. There will be more opportunities for interesting formats of joint projects.

To work as an ambassador, you need to learn even more languages. You need to be proactive and learn everything yourself, go to a new country, discover opportunities for yourself. Create even more projects and communication than there are now.

Therefore, when choosing the profession of an ambassador, they will look not at a good contract, but at what a person likes. Work should be fun.”

—

The role of an ambassador is to increase the awareness of a country or an organization. They are typically involved in public relations, marketing, and promotion.

The current ambassador profession is evolving at a rapid pace due to the increasing demand for their services in today’s world.

Ambassadors have always been pivotal to international relations and cultural exchange. With the advancement of technology, it has become easier for ambassadors to communicate with people from different cultures and countries. This has led to increased demand for their services.