Be specific about which jobs interest you. 
Identify three to five positions at agencies where you can add the most value based on your skills and experience.

Do your homework.
Research positions and agencies you are interested in. Evaluate whether you are well-qualified to do the jobs you have identified. Be flexible, but do not pursue positions where you would not be a good fit.

Keep your expectations realistic.
There is intense competition for these jobs. In past transitions, hundreds of thousands of individuals applied to fill the roughly 4,000 positions.

Become familiar with the pay levels.
Know what level of pay to expect and consider the cost of moving to and living in Washington, D.C. White House salaries are constrained by a limited budget, so are often lower than those in the federal agencies.

Expect differences from other sectors.
Perks that may be customary in some industries are often not provided by the federal government. For example, many agencies do not provide relocation costs to appointees who move to Washington. Presidential appointees are not eligible for bonuses.

Be comfortable serving “at the pleasure of the president.” 
This is comparable to “at will” employment in the private sector where one may be asked to resign or be dismissed at any time. Political appointees are expected to perform effectively and support the agency leadership and/or the administration at all times.

Update public profiles. 
Make sure your profiles, such as LinkedIn, are updated with your most accurate and recent information.