ETHICS MATTER!
Landing a New Position with Your Integrity Intact
BY MARTHA PEREGO, ICMA-CM
Taking your career to the next level is an
MARTHA PEREGO, ICMA-CM, is director of member services and ethics director, ICMA, Washington, D.C. (mperego@icma.org).
application to interview can take months. Those actively searching for a new position can find themselves involved in exciting prospect. For those who serve in or aspire multiple recruitments, each at varying stages of the process. to executive-level positions in local government, that Then there is the challenge that if you are offered the job, move up or onward brings a unique set of obligations, you end up negotiating terms and compensation with an challenges, and quirks. For instance, unlike counterparts individual who doesn’t have the legal authority to seal the in the private and nonprofit sectors, they don’t have the deal. Hiring the manager and approving the employment luxury of competing for the next position quietly behind agreement requires the vote of the full governing body. closed doors. Vying for a position as an assistant or deputy in another Expectations of transparency, especially in the selection organization presents another unique set of the individual who will lead the of issues to navigate. It won’t be subject entire organization, have risen so high to the same level of public scrutiny, but that in some states merely applying Given the the issue of confidentiality, especially for the position is a matter of public within a tight network of managers, record. Even absent that level of importance of is real. Seeing your application for transparency, anyone successful maintaining your the first time, will the manager in the enough to reach the finalist list should reputation and the organization where you’ve applied be prepared to have that information pick up the phone to chat with your disclosed to the media and public. unique nature of current manager? The public’s right to know and have the hiring process, Given the importance of maintaining confidence in the integrity of the your reputation and the unique process is certainly important. But the profession nature of the process, the profession every disclosure that someone is has laid out some has laid out some ground rules for seeking a position elsewhere has your consideration. the potential to burn some political ground rules for Accurate credentials and capital at the home base. your consideration. resumes. Public processes by their very Once you post your nature are not speedy ones—from credentials online and then submit
Public Management (PM)
International City/County
Public Management (PM) (USPS: 449-300) is published monthly by ICMA (the International City/County Management Association) at 777 North Capitol Street. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002-4201. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICMA.
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September 2021
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ICMA Creating and Supporting Thriving Communities ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. It does this by working with its more than 12,000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices and improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Public Management (PM) aims to inspire innovation, inform decision making, connect leading-edge thinking to everyday challenges, and serve ICMA members and local governments in creating and sustaining thriving communities throughout the world.
