Jobs In Politics

Your Political Job Search Doesn’t Have to Be Painful

Please! Get out on the Road and Find a Political Campaign Job!

When I started on the campaign trail, I was lucky enough to go through the Campaign Management Institute, where I became focused on political campaigns and encountered great mentors like Peter Fenn, Richard Smolka, Bill Sweeney and Peter Lindstrom through college programs and internships. Meeting folks who had made careers out of politics encouraged me to set aside my mom’s vision of me becoming  a professional chef and instead, pursue a career in politics and find a political campaign job.

Authors note: As campaign season comes to a close, the grand game of musical chairs that is searching for a political job has commenced. While it can certainly be scary to look for a job in a new city, a little faith and lot of know-how will get you through. Check out Margo's post on finding a political job in DC! 

Political Job Search: So Many Happy Hours, So Little Time

Here at TCW, we are fortunate enough to work with some really fantastic folks across the country. From campaign managers to photographers to data people and more, we partner with other supporting players to help our clients win. At the end of the cycle, and during an odd year, we often get asked by some of these folks for help in a DC-based political job search. Here are a few tips I often give people who are looking to land a political job in our nation’s capital:

Finding Your Dream Job in Advocacy or Politics

If you are looking for a job in advocacy or politics, your search can seem daunting: lots of informational interviews, resumes to send out, and so much more. Staying organized in your search is key. My main tip is to focus on follow up after an interview. This is perhaps one of the most important parts of the job hunt, and something people frequently overlook!

Campaign Message Tips: Stay on Message Even When It Is Personal

Staying consistent with your campaign message is not easy. When first entering into politics some people may tell you to “never take it personal,” referring to the awful things people may say about you or your issues. "Stay on Message" "You need to have campaign message discipline" - is something you hear over and over again but that is easier in theory than reality. 

If we lived in a world that was devoid of feelings and emotions then this could be possible, but luckily we do not. We want our representatives to have an emotional attachment to their constituents and the issues affecting them. There is, however, a time when we must try not to take it personally and battle a brick wall that will never move.