Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash
Cytonn Photography on Unsplash

Americans have the right to vote in elections, and they also have the opportunity to affect the country's future by participating in government. If you're interested in becoming a part of the White House team, you must show the government you have the necessary skills and knowledge.

The White House can provide various job opportunities depending on your skills and interests. There are three different types of positions that you can take on: career positions, internships, and non-career positions. These positions are temporary, and once a new administration takes over, your term in these positions will end.

Below, we will talk more about the process so that you can better understand your qualifications and how they fit into the big picture.

Submitting An Expression Of Interest

If you're interested in a position at the White House, you need to submit an Expression of Interest. In addition to your name, address, and phone number, the form also requires your most recent employer and citizenship status. After you have submitted your application, the Transition Project will contact you to provide further instructions.

Upon receiving an e-mail, you will be taken to a different website. This is where you will get your first glimpse of what's in the works for you. You're required to complete an online application, which is filled out in the following several pages.

Non-Career Positions

Before you start working for the new administration, you must first learn about the non-career positions that the White House is looking for.

In the US, numerous government roles are filled by non-career individuals. These positions are classified into four main categories:

  • Presidential appointments, which require Senate approval.

  • Non-career senior executive service positions (NC-SES).

  • Schedule C positions.

The president is responsible for making certain appointments to these positions, and Congress determines how many NC-SES and PA positions they can make.

In addition to the judiciary and cabinet roles, positions in the PA category include jobs that are related to the president's office.

What Details Does The White House Need For The Application?

In this section, we'll discuss the various details you must include when submitting an application for change.gov.

  • Your name, address, and citizenship status

  • A résumé

  • Y­our educational background

  • Your managerial experience

  • Your public speaking experience

  • Your private sector, government, non-profit, and political experience

  • The desired position

  • At least three references

In addition to the preliminary information, there is a section allowing individuals to provide additional details about themselves, including their political party affiliation and gender.

The White House's personnel application features 63 very personal questions. The most revealing information about individuals, such as their political party affiliation, becomes the focus of public discourse.

The White House wants to know more about you, so the application asks various questions about your personal life and interactions with others. For instance, it's also interested in your online activities and whether or not you've sent inappropriate messages to other people.

In addition, the White House's personnel application asks about your ownership of firearms. Various gun advocacy groups have criticized this question, claiming that it shows the administration's opposition to gun ownership.

What Happens After You Submit Your Application?

After completing the application, the White House will conduct a background check on the job candidate. This process includes visits to various places, such as schools, workplaces, and homes. Once the position has been approved, the candidate will have to appear before the Senate.

If you're not interested in the process and still want to work for the White House, you can apply for career and internship positions.

Extracurricular Activities

You must also provide relevant information about yourself in order to be considered for the position. For instance, you must reveal if you have had any legal issues, such as traffic violations.

Through the White House internship program, participants can gain a deeper understanding of the political environment and connect with influential individuals. All of the positions are unpaid, and interns are required to provide their own transportation and housing.

How Do You Qualify For A Position At The White House?

Although there are no compensation benefits, working in an internship can provide you with a variety of perks. For instance, you might spend your days going around Washington, DC, meeting with influential political figures, and filing paperwork.

You must be 18 years old and a US citizen to be considered for the position. You also need to be a current or post graduate student and fill out an application that includes questions about your political party.

Make sure you are ready to provide cover letters and references. In addition, you must undergo a drug test and complete a background security check.

Participants may indicate which offices they would like to work in but aren't guaranteed a spot. Since the White House only considers the submissions, interviews are not conducted with anyone.

What Is The Best Way To Get To And From The White House?

So, you got the job at the White House, but how do you get to and from work? You could always drive, however, the traffic in Washington, DC is terrible and parking may be a hassle at times. Not to mention, some individuals don't feel safe traveling alone to and from work at the White House due to security reasons.

You can always use car service DC as they will be able to drop you off and bring you home on your work days. This is a much safer option than taking a bus, and it's also cheaper than hailing a taxi.