What is a writing test?
A writing test is a short on-demand writing sample that applicants complete when they interview to work on Capitol Hill. Writing tests directly reflect tasks applicants will do as full-time staff members. Some things I’ve been asked to write for writing tests include letters to agencies, hearing proposals, social media posts, newsletter drafts, press releases,…
Legislative assistants: it takes a village to pass a bill
If you come to Capitol Hill for a policy meeting, you will most likely meet with a legislative assistant. Legislative assistants are what most people think of as typical congressional staffers. They write bills for legislators and push them through Congress. Their boss takes their opinions seriously and trusts them to make important policy decisions.…
Bouncing back: some executive functioning errors from my professional life
Executive functioning is not my strong suit, and as such, I have developed many strategies to compensate for this basic skill. However, the road to developing strategies that work for me was paved with mistakes. These mistakes are a part of life, and it is important not to take them too seriously. Below are some of…
Schedulers: the backbone of congressional offices
Each member’s day is planned from beginning to end. Everything from breakfast, to meetings, to travel time is carefully worked out. Congressional schedulers make sure everything runs smoothly. They manage the member’s schedules and daily activities. Being a scheduler takes attention to detail, executive functioning, and adaptability. Things change on a dime on Capitol Hill,…
Even paid internships can be tricky
In 2018, Congress appropriated funds to pay its interns. Each House office gets $20,000 a year to pay its interns, and each Senate office gets about $50,000 to pay its interns. Sadly, the money comes with little guidance about how to use the funds. Some offices pay one full-time intern a small stipend that eats…
Confessions of an autistic intern: why we need a more accessible culture on Capitol Hill
In advance of the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress’s hearing about making the House more accessible to the disability community, I feel a responsibility to share some accessibility concerns on Capitol Hill that are often overlooked. Both physical and non-physical barriers effectively bar people with disabilities from the heart of our…
Resume and cover letter samples
The application and interview processes is a little different in every Congressional office. However, you should expect to submit a resume and cover letter. Your Resume: Offices will not pay attention to your application if your resume is sloppy. Make sure it is formatted well and is free of typos. The formatting does not need…
Legislative correspondent: congressional ghostwriter
Every day, thousands of people contact their Senators and Representatives to voice their opinions. Every person who contacts their federal legislator should receive a response from the office. Legislative correspondents write those responses. Member offices in both the House and the Senate have legislative correspondents. The job is different in every office. Every Senate office…
How to find a hillternship
Every office in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate has an internship program. Applications for internship programs are listed on each office’s website and on job boards and newsletters. You can find internship postings in the following places: Legislators’ official websites: Members post their applications for internship programs on their websites all…
The staff assistant: Capitol Hill’s most underappreciated employee
The staff assistant has many different roles in a congressional office. They greet visitors as they enter the office, manage tours and flag orders, teach interns, drive the congressman/woman, and complete other tasks as assigned. Staff assistants are some of the most hardworking people on Capitol Hill. Sadly, they are also some of the most…
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