Russia recruits ministers through the internet

One of the country's regions has finally employed a new Arts Minister – after advertising to fill the post online.

Having successfully recruited on-line an IT Minister, the government of Ulyanovsk, Volga region, decided to take to the streets of the web once again – this time to find the best and the brightest candidate to fill the job of Culture Minister.

The government published its application at one of Russia’s head hunter sites. In two months, the position received over 2,000 applicants from all over Russia. One application arrived from Canada.

Surprisingly, requirements for the job were very basic, among them higher education,ten years of work experience, ability to manage 50 people, computer skills, and fluency in a foreign language.

The chosen candidates were interviewed through Skype, then 13 lucky ones were invited to the region.

“The applicants had to write an essay called ‘The Development of the Region through Culture.’ This kind of development is very important for the region,” Tamara Devyatkina, deputy head of Ulyanovsk region told RT. “Besides, the people who applied were eager to migrate and apply their skills in different regions – something Russian culture lacks.”

The woman who won the position – Irina Kotova, a former museum director – outlined a plan on how to expand the region’s population by attracting new migrants.

She wrote that the region should use its reputation and historical background as the center of Russian aviation.

Such hiring practices have been unheard for ministerial posts, since usually such jobs are given only to those who have connections within the apparatus.