How To Find Employment on Capitol Hill

The US seat of government, the White House, Supreme Court Building, Library of Congress, National Mall and a lot of other historical sites and institutes are in the city of Washington DC, and so are a lot of opportunities. For visitors and locals alike, Washington DC has a lot to offer from city tours to employment. There are many job openings in Washington DC but if you are targeting Capitol Hill it may not be easy. Although federal government offices provide equal employment opportunities for all, you could be uncertain about getting job when you do not know how to go about securing a career on Capitol Hill. There are no strict rules to find the job you long for but you can get started and closer to your dream.

1. Create your resume. Emphasize your political experiences including internships, campaign works, and voluntary jobs. Stress your skills and educational background that are relevant to any position on the Hill. Ensure your resume is professionally and flawlessly written. Have several copies ready as you will have to submit it to various congressional offices.
2. Be proactive. To raise your chances of getting a job on Capitol Hill, be proactive. Directly contact the Senators and Representatives from the state where you live or once lived. Call and let them know you live in the state or district they represent and that you are eager to work for them. Visit their offices and submit your resume and cover letter personally. A list of job openings can also be found from your state representative's webpage. Wait for at least two weeks before you contact the person in charge of the applications in case you do not get a response.
3. Browse through the House of Representatives' website. It has information on employment opportunities on Capitol Hill, from application instructions, vacancy announcements to numbers and addresses of employment resources such as a House of Representatives job line, Senate job line, Human Resources vacancy announcement lists and Senate Placement Office. Likewise, search through USA Jobs, the official job site of the federal government of the United States for career opportunities on Capitol Hill and more jobs in the government.
4. Consider volunteer work. There is great competition out there and the best way to land a job on Capitol Hill is to start as a volunteer or intern. Any campaign related activity you can help with at the House of Representatives can be a good start. It is an opportunity to get to know people and expand your network. A lot of turnover with the staff occurs on Capitol Hill - especially after campaigns and then new staff will be needed. Each member of Congress has about 10 staff members. You can work as a scheduler, staff assistant or a legislative correspondent. Over time, you will get the position you yearn for. Many people with masters and doctorates are even willing to grab entry-level openings.
5. Enlarge your network. First get updates on The Hill and Roll Call newspapers not only for placement updates but to stay abreast of current events. If there are scheduled events and speeches, attend them. Get acquainted with the assistants and staff of people hosting the events or giving speeches.

It may be difficult to find employment on Capitol Hill but so is finding any other job outside of Washington DC. Your determination and hard work will be your edge in getting the job you long for.