Getting a job in Congress or a State House
Breaking into an industry can be difficult, especially when it’s one as opaque and relatively small as political staff work. There may only be a few dozen Congressional staffers from a state of millions and it can seem impossible to get one of those jobs when competing against the relatives of wealthy donors and well-connected insiders.
However, it is definitely possible. Elected officials are always looking for good staff who can work hard and deliver for their constituents. Here are some tips to demystify the process and jumpstart your job search for state and national staffer positions.
Decide where you want to be
The first thing you need to decide is where you physically want to work. For jobs at the State House, you’ll want to make sure you’re close enough to the Capital to be part of the action. Though most state legislatures don’t meet every day, depending on your role, you may be expected in the office at least several days per week.
For Congressional offices you have two choices: DC or a District Office. There are pros and cons to each. In DC you are closer to the heart of legislative process while at a District Office, you are closer to the constituents.
While DC may appear more glamorous, the work District Office staffers do cannot be overstated. Plus, there’s a huge convenience factor if you’re not looking to relocate and you get to know people both in Washington (through the office) and in your home state (through your work there).
Decide who you want to work for
Next, you need to figure out who you want to work for. Do you want to work for an institution or an individual and, if an individual, which legislator?
Depending on your state, or if you’re aiming for the national government, you may have access to more “institutional” jobs that aren’t tied to a particular legislator. In Connecticut, for example, there’s a robust Office of Legislative Research. In DC, there are many such options, such as working for a particular Congressional Committee, the parties, or groups like the Governor’s Associations.
Most people end up working for an individual. If you’re working on the state level, reaching out to your own Representative or Senator is the easiest way to get a job. They’re more likely to want to work with their own constituents and you’re competing against a smaller pool of applicants.
But don’t feel too constrained. If there’s someone you’ve always really admired who represents another district, there’s no harm in asking. On the national level, most officials give preference to those who are from their state or went to college in their state. These are your safest bets. However, if there’s an issue you feel super passionate about, you can always reach out to committee members and see if they have a vacancy.
Know your stuff
Be up to date on important political and newsworthy events. There is nothing worse than going into a conversation and having someone ask you about a topic, like raising the debt ceiling, and having nothing to contribute in response.
Make sure you’re reading the news daily and paying attention to the trending issue, particularly what affects the district of who you’re applying for. If you want to work for a Senator from Iowa and know nothing about agriculture, you’ll be quickly out of your depth.
On the same token, do your research on the person you’re trying to work for! Know their background, their interests, and their committee assignments. You want to be able to speak intelligently about why you want to work for them just as much as why you want to work in politics in general.
The mechanics of applying
Different offices have different mechanisms for applying, so make sure to check the websites that are relevant for you. At the national level, Representatives and Senators often have application portals on their website, which is a pretty clear process. However, make sure you check when the portal opens and closes, because often there will be set deadlines.
On the state level, the best thing you can do is email the person you want to work for. Most State Representatives and Senators don’t necessarily have robust websites (except when they’re campaigning!) so you’re best off reaching out directly either to them or an aide, if they have one. If you’re still in school, be sure to ask about internships as well as job openings. An internship can be an excellent way to learn more about what working in government is actually like and make connections that help you get a full-time position (be sure to read our tips on networking to make this process easier).
Joining a campaign
Joining a campaign is also a great way to get involved. If you can show your skills, hard work, and excitement for being part of government during a campaign, you can make yourself indispensable to the people you work for.
Being part of a campaign also helps you get a sense of the person you’re trying to work for and whether you would actually enjoy being on their staff. Campaigns can be a great trial run for whether you believe in the candidate and their capacity to govern. Plus, because most state officials must get reelected every 2 years and many municipal elections are off-cycle, there’s usually a campaign to jump on.
Consistency is key
Be persistent! You may have to email several times to get someone to meet with you, but the effort is well worth it. Working in government is one of the most rewarding and fascinating things you can do and there’s no better place to make a difference.
How Legislata Can Help
Legislata is a productivity software launching this month. Our team has experienced firsthand the challenges of working in the State House, and we want to help those at the frontline of government serve their constituents in ways that make everyone’s lives easier. Get in touch for information on how Legislata can work for your office (once you get the job).