How to Get a Job As a Senate Staffer

Finding a job as a senate staffer is challenging and rewarding.

Each state and U.S. senator typically maintains two categories of staff: legislative staff and campaign staff. Legislative staffers work year round in a senator's state funded offices and assists in official business such as constituent issues, scheduling and legislative research and drafting. Campaign staffers work only during an election year. They are employees of the senatorial candidate who work to promote the candidate's political platform for purposes of re-election.

Instructions

1. Educate yourself on the political process and common political issues. In order to secure a full-time paid senate staff position, you will need a four-year college degree and extensive political experience. Senators surround themselves with staff members who are familiar with the political, governmental and legislative process. They depend on their staff to act as advisers when making important decisions. Staffers are also expected to be acutely aware of specific political issues that are important in the senator's district.

2. Apply to be a legislative intern or campaign volunteer. When a senator has a staff opening in one of his offices, he will probably hire from within. The best way to demonstrate that you have the capabilities and qualities the senator is seeking is to volunteer your time. You can acquire unpaid volunteer opportunities by writing a letter to the senator and offering your free services and desire to learn.

3. Grow your professional network. Get to know people by attending political fundraisers, political speeches and other community events. Make connections with other senate staffers whenever possible. Often the senator's staff are the people who end up make hiring decisions. If you make a good impression, you may open the door to an interview or additional consideration during the hiring process.

4. Research, inquire and apply for open senate staff positions. The U.S. Congress maintains a list of open legislative positions on the U.S. Placement Office's website. To apply for open positions, you will need to submit a resume, cover letter, and often a writing sample and/or college transcripts. If there is a particular state senator that you wish to work for, call or send a letter to his or her office and inquire if there are any available positions. Letters inquiring about legislative positions should be sent directly to one of the senator's government offices. Inquires regarding campaign positions should be sent to the senator's campaign headquarters and never to his or her legislative office.

5. Ace your interview. Look up information about the senator and his district before you go on an interview. If you are applying for a campaign position, know who the senator will be running against and the political platforms of each of the candidates. Demonstrate that you will be able to do the job by providing concrete examples of achievement related to the position. You can also provide hypothetical examples regarding how you would handle certain situations if asked. After the interview, be sure to send a thank you card to your interviewer within 24 hours of the interview.

References

• University of California, Berkeley: How to Get a Job in Politics

Resources

• Senate Employment