#I interned in Trump’s White House – am I now unemployable?

I worked in the White House as an intern last year. With the threats to blacklist Trump supporters, should I leave this experience off my résumé?

According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the executive branch workforce is composed of over 2 million civilian workers. They all work for the president of the United States. Should we ban all those workers? Millions of people choose to work for a company or institution because they believe in that purpose, and not necessarily because they support the leader. That said, when looking for a job we are all evaluated by our skills, experience, where we worked and who we worked for. Employers can’t discriminate on the basis of protected reasons under the law, but working for the federal government during the Trump administration is not a protected reason. The reality is that some prospective employers may reject your résumé, in the same way that they might not hire someone who worked for a big pharmaceutical company, tobacco company, or any other firm they find objectionable. If you omit the internship from your résumé, how will you explain the gap? Consider focusing on the experience you gained. An opportunity to have worked in the White House is a unique and awesome experience.

I’ve been offered a job that’s virtual until the pandemic is over, after which they expect me to relocate across the country. I have no intention of relocating but need the job. Is it OK to accept knowing that I won’t move?

Well, saying you will do something you have no intention of doing is called lying, and that is kind of a bad thing to do. Character matters more than skills and experience. If you are willing to keep an open mind, you could tell them that you don’t know what your circumstances will be later this year and will consider it at that time. Then at least they know there’s a chance you won’t relocate when the time comes. That said, I understand that the pressure to get a job right now is great, so not revealing your intentions is a moral choice you may be willing to make. I can’t judge such a personal decision.

Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. E-mail your questions to [email protected]. Follow Greg on Twitter: @greggiangrande and at GoToGreg.com, dedicated to helping New Yorkers get back to work.