Obama Nominees, Take Note

Hearings can be judged by the 80-20 rule. If the senators are speaking 80 percent of the time, you're doing fine. If it's 60-40, you are arguing with them. If it's 50-50, you've blown it.

You are not required to defend your predecessor or his job performance. Neither are you permitted to dump on him.

Remember, you know more about the subject than they do. But don't embarrass them. "I don't know" is an acceptable answer. "Let me provide the answer for the record later on" is much better than guessing.

Do not give away the store to get confirmed. Stick with the president's policy positions.

Instruct those attending with you that no one is allowed to pass notes to you while you are in the chair. You sit alone because you don't need help from others. If you make a mistake, the staff will let you know during a break, and you can correct it during the next round of questioning.

If a senator makes a policy suggestion, do not endorse it. Instead, say: "Senator, that is an excellent and interesting concept I would like to examine -- if confirmed."

If you get a particularly tough or esoteric question, go with your instincts. But notice also that a pitcher of water is provided. If you get a contentious question, pour a glass of water. It will give you an additional 10 seconds to think of a good answer.

Tom C. Korologos, a former U.S. ambassador to Belgium, is a strategic adviser at DLA Piper. He has assisted, on a pro bono basis, more than 300 presidential nominees since 1963.