The Presidential Appointee Roadmap

Presidential Appointment — Self-Assessment/Evaluation

Assess the likelihood that you could be considered.

The Survivor’s Guide can help you think about the following questions. Chapter 1 - Am I the right person for this position/Getting noticed — P.8

  1. Do I have the right qualifications?

    Do some research to find out how you compare to others who held the position previously. PrunesOnline provide insight into many of the top positions within the Federal Governments.

    Do I have relevant government, management, or technical experience for this position? How have my previous jobs or degrees prepared me for this position?

    Do I have the right subject matter expertise (e.g., housing, health care)?

    Do I have the right skills for this job function (e.g., management, contracting, finance)?
    For PAS positions, the relevancy of your experiences to the position and the strength of your network are of paramount importance. Be sure that you are inclusive and accurate in sharing all of your relevant experiences, skills, and qualifications. Furthermore, your network of supporters will be critically important in advocating for your nomination—be sure that you can count on them to help you.

  2. How broad is my network?

    Consult your network of supporters to get their insights on jobs that you are interested in pursuing. Ask them to make calls or write letters of support on your behalf.

    Do I know people connected to the White House, agency leadership, or Congress who will advocate for me?

    Do I know people in special interest groups who will advocate for me or try to block my appointment?

  3. What is my connection to the President? As I am vying for a political position, do any of the following situations apply to me?

    While it helps to have answered yes to these questions, you are not automatically disqualified if the answers are no. If you have had limited interaction with the new administration, make sure to tap into your well-connected support network to help justify your case.

    I am/was a paid or volunteer campaign, transition, or inaugural staff member.

    I am/was a staff member of the winning political party (Democratic National Committee, Obama Campaign or have other Democratic ties).

    I was a fundraiser or contributor to the campaign.

Assess your tolerance for public scrutiny.

  1. Am I prepared to have my finances dissected?

  2. Am I prepared to have my friends, family, and business associates questioned by law enforcement officials about my behavior and character?

  3. Is there anything that I have written (hard copy or online) that might influence or affect my chances of being considered?

    Clean up your online presence (e.g., personal blogs, Facebook, Linked-In, etc.) to ensure that anything controversial is deleted.

    Conduct a web-search for your name (Google Yourself) to see what others can find out about you. Be prepared to explain anything that might appear controversial.

  4. Am I (and my family) prepared to cope with potentially critically portrayals of me in the media?

    In the media spotlight, both beauty spots and blemishes are exaggerated.

    Chapter 5 – Dealing with the media

  5. Am I prepared to take a position that supports the administration’s viewpoint but that may upset special interest groups with which I normally align?

Assess your willingness to make personal sacrifices.

  1. What will an appointment mean for my lifestyle and work/life balance?

    Most political appointees find the hours long and the pace intense. It is important to consider how having an extremely demanding job—and being in the public spotlight—might affect you and your family’s lifestyle.

  2. Am I (and my family) willing to live in the D.C. metro area and can I/we afford to live there?

    While some political appointments reside in other cities, the majority are based in Washington, D.C.. The Survivor’s Guide devotes a chapter to the topic of moving to Washington, D.C

    Chapter 6 - Moving to Washington

    Additional information about housing, schools, taxes, and other important considerations related to living in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia can be accessed at the following Web sites:

    Washington, D.C.: http://www.dc.gov/
    Maryland: http://www.md.gov/portal/server.pt?
    Virginia: http://www.virginia.gov/cmsportal3/

  3. Will I have to take a pay cut?

    The Office of Personnel Management provides a summary of current pay levels on its Web site.
    http://www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/index.asp

  4. Am I willing to live with additional public scrutiny?

Other paths: