In 1816, after finishing his studies, Eichendorff entered the Prussian civil service in Breslau and was later assigned to
Danzig and Königsberg. Starting in 1831, he worked at various ministries in Berlin, though without ever being appointed to a position of authority. This did not change when he was named a privy councillor in 1841. In 1844, he left the civil service in disappointment.