In 1985, I took my first job on Capitol Hill working for newly elected Sen. Mitch McConnell. I started in the mailroom, back when most people sent handwritten letters to their senators and some poor staffer had to open and sort them. At 22, I thought I would never get a better or more important job. Thirty years later, I’m again working for McConnell, now as his state director back in Kentucky. But I’ve never forgotten that first job in Washington.
Between then and now, I’ve interviewed dozens of 22-year-olds for entry-level positions, all wanting to make their mark. And I’ve learned a few key things that separate the wheat from the chaff.
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So you want to get your first job on Capitol Hill? Here’s my advice.
Start with whomever you know in D.C. If you think hard enough, you probably know someone who lives in D.C. or is connected to it. It could be a former Hill staffer, a lobbyist or a distant relative. No matter who it is, just go see them. Ask them whom they know — you never know who somebody’s next door neighbor is (like a chief of staff on the Hill looking to hire a new staff assistant). In Washington, personal networking, whether a handshake or lunch, still trumps social networking on Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow up on every lead.
Pick a side already. During the course of an interview, I want to know whose team you’re on and why. I would cringe when 22-year-olds told me they wanted to solve the world’s problems, then wondered aloud, “Why can’t people just get along better?” Most offices want young, eager beavers who are there for a cause. And here’s a secret: If you’re hardworking, trustworthy and loyal, it matters little which side of the aisle you choose. But choose you must. So pick a party, and be proud of it.
Visit the offices of representatives from your home state. Visit every office from your home state that’s from your party. Then try to meet and befriend somebody in the office. You could even ask to meet the chief of staff; if you’re lucky, you’ll get an on-the-spot informational interview. At least drop off a résumé and cover letter. Swing by the office the next week if you don’t get an immediate response.
Connections to other states. Not all of us can be so lucky, though. If you have the misfortune of being a Republican from Vermont, or a Democrat from Kansas, you need to think about connections to other states. I couldn’t always hire a native from my state, but applicants would have a leg up if they could show some sort of association. “My grandparents live in your district, and my best childhood memories were visiting them,” works fine. So does: “We used to go on summer vacation in your state.” Or: “My mom was born in your state, and I’ve always felt this connection.” Don’t overplay it, but don’t hide it. Even the slightest connection could make the difference.
Show me your work history. Even if you were a host at the local restaurant or receptionist at a local insurance agency, I want to know where you worked in college, during and since. In many ways, that captures who you are better than a summer spent backpacking through Europe that your parents paid for anyway. Brace yourself: The hours are long and the pay is low on the Hill. Demonstrating work ethic is still king.
Don’t brag about high school. A good résumé for entry-level jobs should fit on a page. So drop the high school stuff, because not only does it matter little, it looks like you’re desperate to pad your credentials. Or worse, you’re living in the past when you were still captain of the high school football team. (The only exception: If you are an Eagle Scout.)
Take any job you are offered. Yes, any. The game is to be on the inside looking out, not on the outside looking in. So if you get an offer on the Hill, take it. After six months, somebody in your office will leave, which sets off a predictable chain reaction, a ritual as old as time in Washington. If the LD leaves, some LA will get the job; if the LA takes the position, some LC will get hers; and then you, my friend, the brand new staff assistant, will move up to LC. Unlike your parents’ workplace, no one stays in a job too long in Washington, and that movement is good for you. Plus, any job on the Hill will expand your network, which is imperative. (By the way, if you don’t know what LD, LA and LC stand for, go to the Congressional Institute website at www.conginst.org to do some basic research.)
Offer to work for free. Call it an internship or whatever you want. If they have the physical space, Hill offices love free labor. Just hang around for a while and watch for the chain reaction outlined above. In the meantime, you can work nights at the mall or in a restaurant (preferably at a Capitol Hill restaurant). I once knew a kid who so impressed a member of Congress as a waiter that the representative ended up hiring him.
Send handwritten thank you notes. Does that sound quaint and old-fashioned? Sure, but so is the playing field for getting hired on the Hill. The best option is to drop them off at the office the day after the interview. If you snail-mail a thank you note, because of security procedures, the job will have long been filled before it’s received.

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Do at least 10 minutes worth of homework. Please. I was amazed at how unprepared some kids could be. My first question in an interview is usually, “Tell me a few things you know about [insert member here].” Make sure you have an answer. If you can’t give a reasonable answer, you won’t get the job, although it’s entertaining to watch the blood drain from the faces. Just memorize a few facts and you’ll be fine. To be safe, on the morning before an interview search the website of the largest newspaper in the member’s district to see if there is any late-breaking news.
Work on a campaign. The other way to land on the Hill is to come through the backdoor, by working on a winning campaign. Start by volunteering. If you perform well, it will probably lead to a small paycheck. But campaigns are not a sure thing. First, the timing might not be right, since federal elections take place only in even years. Second, your candidate might lose. Third, most winning candidates hire only two or three campaign staffers, then quickly look to fill out the staff with Hill veterans.
Move to Washington If this sounds simple, that’s because it is. For over a dozen years, I interviewed college graduates whose applications all looked essentially the same. So if I had 10 respectable résumés on my desk, and seven already lived in D.C., while three lived back in their home states, I’d just interview the seven. Why? Because I figured that any one of