Government relations careers are a popular choice for individuals that love public relations, politics, and communications. Hoping to land your dream job in government relations? The following tips will help you get that government relations position you’re eyeing in Galveston:
1. Present Yourself Professionally
A government relations position is one that will put you at the forefront of the local, state, or federal government. If you hope to work in this field, you need to appear as professional as possible. Start your professional “clean-up” by analyzing your social media profiles. Remove anything that may work against you or portray you in the wrong light. Any inappropriate language for photos can be the reason you lose out on a government relations job.
In addition to creating a presentable and professional online presence, make sure to adopt a more “professional” look for yourself. Invest in business clothing for interviews and daily work outfits. Additionally, make sure to remove any excessive piercings and adopt a hairstyle that is a bit more traditional as your future employer will take this into consideration.
2. Always Go Above and Beyond
Available government relations positions always attract highly qualified applicants. To land this job, you’ll need to do your best to stand out. David Urban suggests that applicants always go above and beyond in their application process. Spend time creating a well-designed website, putting together a portfolio of writing samples, and writing a succinct bio for yourself. This type of extra effort won’t go unnoticed by your interviewer.
3. Network, Network, Network
Never underestimate the power of networking. Getting government relations jobs is as much about your experience and skillset as it is about the connections you have. Utilize your network by getting in contact with your school’s alumni association. Most universities have strong alumni associations that can put their graduates in contact with other alumni that are already working in their chosen field. Establishing a relationship with fellow alumni will help you build the connections needed to get your dream government relations position.
4. Apply Strategically
Even if you have one position in mind that is your ideal government relations job, you’ll need to apply for other positions. The more applications you send now, the more opportunities you’ll have to ultimately achieve your goal. According to David Urban, it’s helpful to keep a log or journal of every application you send, the date it was sent, any responses received, and when and how you follow up. This way, you’ll be able to easily keep track of all the interviews you get, making it easier to prepare to land the job.
5. Know Your Political Views
Government relations is a career that works in tandem with politicians and other government workers. In a government relations interview, any of your past and present political views will come to light. Make sure you’re prepared for every potential question that comes your way by reviewing your own political history and preparing to defend your current beliefs.
A job in government relations can be very rewarding. Get your career started in this field by using these tips to get the job of your dreams