Applying for a Job in the Obama-administration?

One of the first tasks for a new incoming American administration is to get the right person for the right job. The first position as Chief of Staff in the White House is taken (not without raising suspicion in some circles in this region) – so no need to apply for that. But on the Transition Project homepage the President-elect is calling for applications from interested people for the 7000+ jobs to be filled. Apparently according to the electronic application form you don’t have to be American citizen, so why not give it a try if you feel you have something to contribute?

The transition homepage is a treasure chest of information. It is also very instructive in explaining the functioning of this important part of the American democracy. The “Survivor’s Guide” for potential nominees in the new administration gives an in-depth description of the do’s and dont’s for potential newcomers to Washington.

The really interesting part is the description of the intense scrutiny many nominees are subjected to in order to make sure that that their personal integrity and moral habitus is in order. Conflict of interest, mishaps in their past and their respect of the division of power between the Executive and the Legislative is scrutinised to the highest degree. Makes one wonder how many government officials would be able to pass such a test in other countries? I think the transparency this process enforces in the Executive Branch is something a lot of countries should be inspired by.

UPDATE: But some might argue that the scrutiny after all is excessive. Read the NYT piece on this from November 13th. 

I recommend reading the survival guide for the funny and enlightening real life anecdotes and for its very illustrative example of how to uproot corruption before it takes place. For those applying for jobs in the Obama-administration you might want to pay extra attention to the relocation chapter and the specific list of what public employees are entitled to and not (it is not much – you have to be devoted to be a public servant).

Download the Survivor’s Guide here

For the mechanics in the Presidential Transition look here