w4mp | guides | looking for a job

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Looking for a job working for an MP?
(or in a politics-related setting)

So, you are looking for a job in an MP’s office? The first thing to realise is that you are not alone. Every MP receives loads of requests for employment and many people are prepared to work for very low pay…..or none at all. Although the funds available to MPs to pay proper salaries to staff were increased substantially in July 2001 (* see footnote), offers to work for free are still tempting for MPs.

You also need to know that some jobs get filled by word of mouth without ever being advertised, often because someone already working for an MP moves on to another job at Westminster; so there’s no way of knowing what’s available unless you are already in the network. Rather a chicken and egg situation, isn’t it? But look at our Jobs page as MPs are increasingly using that to advertise vacant posts.

But don’t be put off by all this. The warnings above are there to help you rather than to deter you.

"After many years searching for a paid political job, checking the site almost every day and doing a couple of internships, I have finally been able to find a job which was advertised on the site. For that as well as the unique employment resource you provide, I shall be eternally grateful."

Many people who go on to successful political careers begin as volunteers. If your circumstances allow, contact your local MP and offer to work as a volunteer or part-time. That way you get a foot in the door and can begin to hear about jobs. You are also gaining valuable experience which will look good on your CV when you do apply for a paid job.

If you are interested in seeing the outline of the House of Commons Guidance for Managers responsible for work experience students, click here. You need to have access to the Parliamentary Intranet to see the full document.

Click here for information about Internships.

It’s usually not obligatory, but you stand more chance if you are a member of the political party you want to work for.

Contact Points for the Parties

Labour Party. Write, including a CV, to Parliamentary Labour Party Secretary, Fiona Gordon, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA or email gordonf@parliament.uk She keeps a file of all applicants that MPs look through when they are recruiting. Also try: Labour Party Current Vacancies page.

Conservative Party. At present there is no contact point at the House of Commons. Telephone Conservative Central Office on 020 7222 9000. Also try: Conservative Party Jobs page.

Liberal Democrats. Write to Ben Williams, Liberal Democrat Whip’s Office, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 5654 or email: williamsbp@parliament.uk Also try: Liberal Democrats Jobs page

Publications

The House magazine. This, from the ePolitix stable, is effectively the in-house magazine of the Palace of Westminster. Not always easy to spot outside the parliamentary estate, but they do advertise some jobs inside the back page. Offices: 10 Little College Street, London SW1P 3SH. Tel: 020 7222 1570.

Political weeklies. Try looking in Tribune, New Statesman, Spectator etc. Certainly some of these keep an eye on information circulating at Westminster and may invite an MP who is looking for staff to place an advertisement in their paper. You can find these listed on our Links page.

Daily papers. It's certainly worth trawling through the usual broadsheet newspapers. Again. you will find these listed on our Links pages.

Other Jobs Websites

Jobs websites of the main political parties:

Other useful job search websites for people with experience of working in Parliament or those looking for jobs in Parliament/Brussels:

Capita RAS Public Sector Resourcing ("One of the UK's leading providers of recruitment, assessment and related services to government departments, executive agencies and other public sector bodies.")
Jobs available through Parliament's public website
Jobs available through the Parliamentary Intranet (via PDVN only)
Civil Service Fast Stream Development Programme (Civil Service Recruitment Gateway)
Electus Select ("Electus is the premier search and selection recruitment consultancy for the public affairs industry.")
Electus Start, a division of Parliamentary Communications Limited, have an online resource - www.workinpolitics.com - which offers advice about how to get into jobs in politics and has a job listings section.
PRJobSeek ("The UK's premier online recruitment facility for the Public Relations industry")
Interchange ("Government initiative which promotes and encourages the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other sectors of the economy. All sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary Education Health Public Private Small Business")
Ellwood and Atfield (“The leading public affairs and government relations recruitment consultancy for the private and public sectors. Recruiting and consulting at all levels for permanent, contract and interim positions. Confidentiality guaranteed.” )
The Guardian article "The politician's apprentice" 22 July 2004. Why you should be a Westminster Intern and how to go about it.
Interns' Network, which provides information on jobs, internships and events in Westminster.
One World's jobs section which allows you to search through ads for jobs and internships around the world in human rights, environment, and sustainable development worldwide.
EuroBrussels has a useful "Find a Job Guide".
Jobsgopublic ("we carry more than half of all UK Public Sector vacancies advertised on the web? That's over 55,000 a year.")
Policy Jobs. ("Looking for social, economic and foreign policy jobs, internships and scholarships? Policy Jobs can help you whether you're looking for job in research, policy-making, or politics. Contains hundreds of vacancies in think tanks, government, and academic institutions.") NB: you have to pay an annual subscription to access jobs.
Jobs-Brussels.com helps candidates find jobs in Brussels. Has unique material on internships/traineeships/stages in Brussels. Their site is updated daily with jobs in Brussels mostly in political think thanks, law firms, ngos, lobbies and EU Institutions.
Susan Hamilton Group ("Ten years within the Palace of Westminster and now operating from our flagship trand office. The Parliamentary Division supplies research and support staff to MPs, Peers and Public Affairs agencies.")

Use our Feedback Form if you want to add to this list.

Click here to check on current pay scales for MPs' Staff

Look at our short guide for foreign nationals wishing to work for an MP

For one view of what it's like to work for an MP have a look at this article written by Barbara Oaff for the Guardian's Officehours supplement on Monday 18 April 2005. You can see it at: http://jobsadvice.guardian.co.uk/officehours/story/0,14369,1461979,00.html

Pity it didn't mention your favourite website, w4mp!

* In July 2001 MPs voted to increase substantially the money which covers staffing. This has enabled Members to take on more staff and to pay them better. To see more information (April 2003) click here.

Last updated:

27 April 2006