Whether or not you agree with President Bush’s nomination of White House counsel Harriet Miers to fill Sandra Day O’Connor’s position on the US Supreme Court, it is interesting to note some of the circumstances of the nomination—circumstances that not only are typical of any hiring process, but can also lend some tongue-in-cheek hope to job seekers everywhere.
Being an “older worker” is a benefit. Miers is 60 years old and would under any circumstance be considered a “mature worker”.
Career changes can happen while still moving up the ladder. Miers is moving from being an attorney and advisor to being a US Supreme Court Justice. How’s THAT for a career change?
No experience does not mean you are automatically eliminated from consideration. Miers has never been a judge, but rather always an attorney or advisor. Think “transferable skills”.
It’s best to be single and childless if you are going to work 14-hour days. According to White House sources, Miers is a workaholic.
It’s all in who you know. How many of us regular folk knew about this lady yesterday? Having friends in the right places makes all the difference in getting the job. This is networking at its highest levels. Weekends at Camp David with the First Family go a long way toward getting appointed.
Diversity comes in many forms. It’s not just a matter of race, gender, or ethnicity. Diversity in a team environment can mean having team members with a wide variety of skills. (Judge Judy might be a good addition, too.)
Hiring for key positions is usually done from within an organization. And being from Texas doesn’t hurt.
Quiet, hard work without striving for the spotlight will be rewarded in the end. Miers is reported as saying that if the White House counsel is in the news, it means something is not going well with the administration. Hmm, someone who doesn’t want to be in the spotlight? That’s interesting…
Having a simple background check run on you is nothing compared to a Senate review. Be thankful that every scrap of paper you have ever doodled on will not be hauled into the public spotlight before you can get the job.
Conservative dress still goes a long way. Would any consideration been given to Miers at all if she had shown up at the press conference in a pair of jeans, tennis shoes, and a sweatshirt? Nice blue suits are always a good choice.
