Trying to Get a Job in Politics? Start Here.
How to Get Started or Make The Switch
TL;DR
You can craft a solid application even if this is your first go at a career in politics.
Passion is the only prerequisite for starting a career in democratic politics.
We’ll help you with the next steps with our free course, Building a Powerful Political Job Application.
If this post caught your attention, you might be just beginning your professional journey or looking to make a career switch. And hey – congratulations! You’re taking a big step toward a meaningful career centered on something you’re truly passionate about. We’re glad to walk you through it!
Starting the Application Process
First, take a deep breath. The job hunt can be anxiety-inducing in any field, but in this one, your passion is the only prerequisite. Your inclination to this work is what makes you well-positioned to make the leap (more on that in a minute!) After that, getting a job in Democratic politics starts the same way as any other field: a good resume and a lot of prep work (bonus points if you follow our LinkedIn – we often host virtual events where you can meet other folks in politics!)
A “good” resume doesn’t mean you have years of related experience to fill every bullet point – if that were the case, you probably wouldn’t need this post. You can still construct a solid resume if this is your first time applying for political jobs. We’ll show you how in our free course, Building a Powerful Political Job Application.
With that said, a well-written cover letter is all the more important. It’s your chance to convey what draws you to the campaign, organization, or general cause you’re hoping to work for and what visions you have for it moving forward – especially if your resume doesn’t directly speak to that. If you’re not sure how to get one going, we suggest looking at our cover letter example for a press assistant (though it can help you start writing for any position you’re interested in). We said your passion qualifies you for this work, and this is your space to prove it.
You can’t spell application without AI
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The reality is that these days, most job applicants use AI for at least a portion of their application, and some employers might also use it to review applications. We’re not going to tell you to stay away, because it could leave you behind the curve of folks who do use it to get the leg up. What we can offer you, however, is a way to level up for that next job. Every person in politics should know how to use it ethically and effectively, which we cover in our free course, AI For Progressive Campaigns.
There’s also a difference between using AI to write your application from scratch without adding any edits or personalization, and using AI to assist and optimize what you put together. It’s obvious when a resume is AI-generated for an individual listing and submitted as-is. It’s impressive when a resume shows unique experience with required skills embedded throughout. For more guidance on how to use (and not use) AI for job applications, check out this brief rundown.
Where to Look
We gave you a few places to start the job search in our Campaign Jobs 101 Substack this summer, including the GAIN Power and Jobs That Are Left boards. But now that we’re in the weeds on applications, here’s a more exhaustive list for your search:
More Democratic Platforms:
NDTC - hey, that’s us! We’re often looking to grow our team.
Victory Institute - LGBTQ+ political job opportunities
DigiDems - Places digital/communications professionals on campaigns
Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) - Often hires for digital campaigns
General Political Job Boards:
Idealist.org - Progressive-leaning nonprofit and advocacy positions
Progressive Data Jobs - Specifically for data, analytics, and tech roles
Working Families Party Jobs - Progressive third-party opportunities
RecruitingforGood - Progressive campaign and advocacy recruiting
Tom Manatos Jobs - Subscription-based, non-partisan job board (tip: download the app for 5 free postings a day!)
State and National Party Sites:
DNC Jobs - Democratic National Committee careers page
DCCC - Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
DSCC - Democratic Senate Campaign Committee
Individual state Democratic Party websites (most have career pages)
Our Building a Powerful Political Job Application course is ready for you to get started at any time. And as always, our website is always updated with more career and campaign resources.
Finally, if you’re just starting your campaign career, we have one more tried and true way to get that dream campaign job. It’s how many of us got our start, and it still works: Show up. Go volunteer. Meet the candidate and the team. Knock doors, make calls, do whatever they need to win. Be as helpful as you can be. This is the kind of prep work that can only be learned through direct experience. Once you’ve proven you’re reliable and committed, tell them you want to work for the campaign. You’d be amazed at how much just showing up matters when it comes to getting hired.
P.S. Speaking of showing up, this past weekend, millions of Americans took to the streets in “No Kings” protests across the country, demonstrating the power of everyday folks coming together to make their collective voice heard. Whether you’re marching, organizing, or building a career in Democratic politics, you’re part of the same movement – one that believes in accountability, collective action, and the power of the people to shape our democracy. If those protests stirred something in you, consider this your sign. The work doesn’t stop when the streets clear. There’s always a place for your passion in this movement, and it might just be in the job you apply for next.
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