How Do I Get a Job in the White House?

­Some of the most important government roles in the United States are appointed non-career positions. There are four main kinds of appointments: presidential appointments that require consent from the Senate (PAS), presidential appointments that do not require confirmation (PA), Non-Career Senior Executive Service positions (NC-SES) and Schedule C positions.

Congress determines how many PAS and NC-SES appointments the president can make. But the president decides how many PA and Schedule C positions will be in his or her administration. Positions in the PAS category include high-ranking cabinet roles and judiciary appointments. PA positions include the president's executive staff. NC-SES jobs are senior management positions -- typically with titles like deputy undersecretary or bureau director. And a person in a Schedule C job is responsible for determining policies and working with the key appointments in a confidential manner [source: Progressive Government].

According to the Progressive Government Web site, the White House can fill 6,478 appointed positions during a term. That sounds like a lot of jobs, but it's nothing compared to the number of applications. According to The New York Times, the Obama-Biden administration received more than 200,000 résumés within three weeks of launching the change.gov application site.

That brings us back to the application process. Here's a summary of the information you must include when submitting an application to change.gov:

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There is another section in which applicants can submit optional information such as their gender, race and political party affiliation.

If you get beyond this first round, you'll have to answer more questions. Time Magazine reports that the seven-page personnel application includes 63 questions -- some of a very personal nature. That's because anyone holding a political position comes under intense scrutiny. The most intimate personal details sometimes take center stage -- things you considered private become topics of public discussion.

That's why the application asks tough perso­nal questions about your lifestyle and interactions with other people. It even grills you about your online activity. For example, it asks if you've ever sent e-mails or instant messages to other people that could become embarrassing to the administration if they were revealed to the public.

­One of the more controversial questions addresses gun ownership. The question asks if the applicant or an immediate family member owns a gun, if the gun is registered, if the registration ever lapsed and if the gun has caused personal injuries or property damage. Some gun advocacy groups claim that this question indicates the Obama administration is against personal gun ownership [source: Buckeye Firearms Association].

Even after passing the application, the journey isn't over. The applicant can expect the FBI to perform a full background check, including visits to friends, family, neighbors, schools and workplaces. And some positions then require the applicant to appear before the Senate for approval before getting the post.

­What if you don't want to go through this process, but still want to work at the White House? We'll look at internships and career jobs next.

­The White House Internship Program gives people the opportunity to gain experience in a political environment and network with important people. All internships are unpaid and interns must provide for their own housing and transportation. But the benefits of working in an internship can potentially offset the lack of compensation. Depending upon the internship assignment, you might spend your days around powerful political figures as they guide national policy. On the other hand, you might end up sitting at a desk all day or filing paperwork.

Under the George W. Bush presidential administration, the White House would select 100 interns to work during the spring, summer and fall semesters. To become an intern, you had to meet the following criteria:

Applicants could indicate which offices they'd most like to work in but were not guaranteed a spot in those departments. They didn't have to interview with anyone -- the White House selected interns based solely upon the applicant's submissions. The internship program may or may not change under the Obama administration.

If you want to pursue a career at the White House that isn't a political appointment, you'll need to keep an eye out for job postings. You can find those at the Office of Personnel Management's USAJOBS Web site. You can expect a highly competitive job application process. These jobs include working for specific agencies and departments in non-managerial positions. Unlike management, these jobs tend to remain unaffected during changes of administration. You can work your way up the ranks and build experience. Who knows? It may even lead to an eventual non-career position with a future president!

One thing you should remember before you apply for any position within the government is that you'll be opening yourself up for a thorough background check. But if you've been on your best behavior, display a talent for leadership, have ambition and possess the drive to help the U.S. government lead the nation, you may land yourself a job at the most famous address in America.

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