The extremely difficult, but highly desirable job of Russian presidency

The results of opinion survey released by one of Russia’s top HR companies in June revealed the citizens’ attitudes to the nation’s topmost job, the Russian presidency, and the qualification and other job criteria, which a Russian president needs to meet in order to effectively and successfully run the country. Besides, the poll results also showed the number of citizens that truly believe that they have the needed competence and other qualification skills to effectively carry out all the constitutional and other obligations of the Russian head-of-state. 

The poll, which was conducted from May 7-14 by HeadHunter group of companies, one of Russia’s top HR search and hiring firms, covered 2,500 respondents from all Russian regions. Broken down, 52% of the respondents were male and 48% were women, and in terms of job positions, 57% were specialists, 21% were mid-level managers, 12% were top managers and the rest (11%) were ordinary workers.  

The first question in the survey focused on whether or not the Russian president’s job is a difficult one. An overwhelming majority of the respondents (about 78%) did not just answer the question in the affirmative, but also went further to qualify their responses by specifically noting the job is very difficult in all aspects. This group’s position contrasted with that of 17% respondents, who feel that the president’s job is difficult, first and foremost, in a moral aspect and just 2%, who feel that the job is more exacting, physically speaking. Only just 4% contend that the president’s job is an easy task.

Another key question was aimed at finding out the level of education that people aspiring to be a Russian president ought to have to qualify for the post and make the best of the position. Most respondents (about 47%) say a higher educational degree in management is more preferable, 20% believe that a degree in humanitarian sciences would be enough, 14% named a higher educational degree in technical disciplines, 12 said a university degree in any discipline, while 7% proposed other educational spheres outside those mentioned above.

“Interestingly, the poll results showed that almost 30% of the respondents believe they have all it takes to make an effective president of Russia. Equally interesting is the fact a substantial portion of both sexes shares this view.”

HeadHunter experts specifically noted that it was a bit surprising that when responding to the question on whether or not the president should be really accountable to the citizens, only about 36% of the respondents answered in the affirmative. However, from the position of those that answered in the affirmative, one can conclude that this category of citizens wants the Russian president to be legally obliged to regularly present a detailed job performance report to the nation. Such view contrasted with 17% of the respondents, who said they did not see any absolute necessity for such rigid accountability from the nation’s president. Other responses included accountability to the State Duma (22%) and other organs of the government (18%), while about 7% offered other variants of accountability outside those listed above. 

The next question was directed at the respondents’ views on their presidential aspirations and whether or not they have the necessary competence and other qualification skills needed to make a successful and effective Russian president. Interestingly, the poll results showed that almost 30% of the respondents believe they have all it takes to work as an effective president of Russia. Equally interesting is the fact a substantial portion of both sexes share this view. Specifically, 68% of those with such point of view are men and 32% are women.