By NEIL H. SIMON Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON-Many Virginians seeking jobs in the Obama White House are starting their quest at the opposite end of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Dozens of applicants have approached Democratic Sen. Jim Webb's office for help securing a job in the new administration. The office has received so much interest from wannabe administration officials they dedicated a staff member to pre-screening letters and resumes.
"It's certainly an upswing in workload, but ... it's a good problem to have," said Paul Reagan, Webb's chief of staff. "President-elect Obama has really rekindled a spirit of public service in the country."
Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro said the transition team is "staying connected" with the supporters who helped elect the next president.
"(We) have always said that these same people working in their local communities would be the ones helping to bring the change we need to Washington," Shapiro said.
More than 300,000 people had applied for a job online as of Wednesday. All applicants must apply through www.change.gov, but having Obama's transition team hear from a sitting senator or representative can help one stand out from the rest of the pack.
The flood of requests for job recommendations coming into Webb's office is something Reagan first experience in 1996. Then he worked for Rep. Jim Moran of Alexandria, during the midpoint of Bill Clinton's presidency.
He figures the Virginia offices receive more applicants than other Capitol Hill offices simply due to geography. "There are a number of people in the Northern Virginia suburbs who have been in and around Washington," Reagan said.
Applicants seeking Webb's endorsement are seeking all types of administration jobs, from entry level to deputy cabinet secretary. Others will take anything they can get.
"There's a lot of people who write and they have a general desire and willingness to serve," said Reagan. "We review them all very carefully."
Webb sends recommendation letters with varying degrees of personalization for applicants deemed worthy of his support.
Some people get letters "without great comment" Reagan said. "Others, if he has a great knowledge of their work he'll state that."
More than 10 applicants have also sought help from Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-3rd. He "recommends people he knows" to be worthy, spokesman Larry Dillard said.
(Contact Neil H. Simon at nsimon@mediageneral.com or (202) 662-7669.)
Dozens of applicants have approached Democratic Sen. Jim Webb's office for help securing a job in the new administration. The office has received so much interest from wannabe administration officials they dedicated a staff member to pre-screening letters and resumes.
"It's certainly an upswing in workload, but ... it's a good problem to have," said Paul Reagan, Webb's chief of staff. "President-elect Obama has really rekindled a spirit of public service in the country."
Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro said the transition team is "staying connected" with the supporters who helped elect the next president.
"(We) have always said that these same people working in their local communities would be the ones helping to bring the change we need to Washington," Shapiro said.
More than 300,000 people had applied for a job online as of Wednesday. All applicants must apply through www.change.gov, but having Obama's transition team hear from a sitting senator or representative can help one stand out from the rest of the pack.
The flood of requests for job recommendations coming into Webb's office is something Reagan first experience in 1996. Then he worked for Rep. Jim Moran of Alexandria, during the midpoint of Bill Clinton's presidency.
He figures the Virginia offices receive more applicants than other Capitol Hill offices simply due to geography. "There are a number of people in the Northern Virginia suburbs who have been in and around Washington," Reagan said.
Applicants seeking Webb's endorsement are seeking all types of administration jobs, from entry level to deputy cabinet secretary. Others will take anything they can get.
"There's a lot of people who write and they have a general desire and willingness to serve," said Reagan. "We review them all very carefully."
Webb sends recommendation letters with varying degrees of personalization for applicants deemed worthy of his support.
Some people get letters "without great comment" Reagan said. "Others, if he has a great knowledge of their work he'll state that."
More than 10 applicants have also sought help from Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-3rd. He "recommends people he knows" to be worthy, spokesman Larry Dillard said.
(Contact Neil H. Simon at nsimon@mediageneral.com or (202) 662-7669.)