Author Archive

Republican Jobs Philosophy: You Don’t Build an Army the Day You Need It

Republican Jobs Philosophy: “You Don’t Build an Army the Day You Need It”

At Republican Jobs, we live by a simple rule: “you don’t build an army the day you need it.” This principle is at the heart of everything we do. It’s about being prepared well in advance, whether for volunteer efforts, hiring a digital team, or any other political endeavor. If you wait until the last minute to start, you’re already too late. 

My pre-Republican Jobs era was marked by deep involvement in political talent recruitment. My hobby was significantly growing the Young Republicans in Austin to 120 volunteers and 2000 hours of campaign volunteer work in 2020. This early and proactive team-building, honed across the country and with Young Republican chapters nationally, informed our company’s philosophy. By starting our recruitment efforts well in advance, we managed to outpace more funded campaigns.

That very proactive approach inspired the founding of Republican Jobs, which has placed over 2000 operatives in 2 years. The 2022 election cycle underscored the importance of having your team ready. Political firms often scramble to fill positions at the last minute, a challenging way to kick off any campaign. Especially after COVID where campaigns started late, and you needed twice the amount of staff in half the time. During a talent crisis in a post-covid world, this was the last thing campaigns needed to deal with. In our most extreme case: when called upon for run-offs requiring hundreds of staff within days, Republican Jobs delivered, placing over 200 organizers in just 72 hours.

Republican Jobs never starts the recruitment process at zero. Most calls with clients start with ‘I know a guy’. We’re constantly interviewing and preparing, ensuring that when a job opens up, we can fill it quickly for all sectors of the industry: Government, Consulting, Campaign, Non-Profit, and everything from Press, Digital, Communications, Grassroots, Data, Design, and more. Most of our client calls usually involve the phrase ‘we know the perfect person’, not ‘we’ll start looking for them’. When a top agency or campaign calls us for press secretaries, campaign managers, you name it – we place them swiftly because we have a ready pool of talent. Not a week goes by without us placing someone in a role that requires a 48-hour turnaround. 

Here is the key: being able to recruit quickly is excellent, but having a list of ready-to-go, vetted talent is where you truly win. If you’re not prepared, you’re already falling behind. That’s where Republican Jobs steps in – we do both, and affordably for our clients.

If you don’t have the talent lined up, the networks ready, and the contacts to call, recruitment can consume precious time that consultants simply don’t have.

“You don’t build an army the day you need it” is more than just a saying; it’s our operational mantra. It’s about being ready before the battle begins, and it’s how we ensure our clients succeed.

Whether you’re looking for talent over two months or two days, if you’re finding yourself behind, Republican Jobs is ready to help your organization find its talent. 

Learn more here. 

Why Traditional Political Hiring Strategies Are Obsolete in 2024

As we step into 2024, your firm must reconsider its approach to hiring internal talent. The conventional wait-until-August strategy to maximize hiring value for the fall may seem cost-effective, but it overlooks the quickly approaching talent shortage. While it might have been feasible to rely on a surge of available campaign staff in the fall or to expect job board postings to magically attract the right talent in previous cycles, these methods are becoming increasingly unreliable.

Republican Jobs collaborates with numerous consultants weekly, tackling the misconceptions and outdated practices in political hiring, urging a shift towards more proactive and strategic recruitment.

Understanding the Current Political Market Dynamics

Veteran political consultants often reminisce about their initial compensation in the field, mentioning starting salaries as low as $2,000 a month. When I began in political recruitment, a canvasser’s wage was around $3,000 a month, alone. Today, the scenario has transformed significantly, with canvassers earning $20 an hour, along with additional benefits such as housing, flights, and rental cars. In some cases, wages have escalated to $25 an hour. This wage inflation is attributable to a multitude of factors, meriting a deeper discussion on its own.

A pivotal moment came with the onset of COVID-19, which delayed the availability of seasonal political work, leading many to exit the industry and resulting in a significant brain drain. Currently, due to the inflation under Joe Biden’s administration reaching record highs, the cost of hiring staff has surged, with other industries increasingly attracting political personnel. The entry-level salary expectations in Washington D.C., which once hovered around $35,000 a year, have now jumped to $50,000-$55,000, with $60,000 barely marking competitiveness in some roles. These escalated rates reflect a significant shift in the political employment landscape, emphasizing the need for adaptation and strategic foresight in hiring practices.

The Cost of Delaying Hiring

While current market rates for staff are at an all-time high, delaying hiring decisions only exacerbates the cost. Waiting until the talent pool has dwindled could mean facing even steeper expenses to secure the necessary expertise, especially as competition intensifies closer to crucial campaign periods. Would you rather pay $5-6k a month for entry or mid-level talent now, or $7-8k a month later when you only have days to hire and no one left on the market? Don’t even get us started on more seasoned talent rates. 

Why a Job Board Won’t Save You

While we maintain valuable partnerships with several prominent job boards, it’s important to recognize their inherent limitations in the political hiring process. Job boards are most effective when an applicant discovers your post precisely when it’s published. However, the reality is that active job seekers are often exploring multiple opportunities simultaneously, which significantly increases the likelihood of your ideal candidates being attracted to other offers before you even have a chance to engage with them. Your job post promotes your competitors’ jobs, and your best applicant is applying with them, too. This rapid movement of talent underscores the competitive nature of political staffing, a space where Republican Jobs has successfully facilitated 24-hour placements for top-tier races. It has not been uncommon for some of our clients to miss out on our best referral because they waited a week to set up an interview. If someone is good, they’re going fast.

Moreover, the most sought-after political talent is typically already employed, and many hesitate to use job boards for fear of jeopardizing their current positions. This apprehension leads to a substantial portion of potential candidates avoiding job boards altogether, limiting your access to a wide pool of skilled individuals. 

Consequently, relying solely on job boards for recruitment may result in missing out on exceptional talent, highlighting the need for more strategic and discrete approaches to talent acquisition.

Why Republican Jobs Can Save You From the Shortage

With a database of over 12,000+ vetted political operatives and growing, Republican Jobs provides a strategic solution to the talent shortage. Our capability to quickly connect with pre-vetted candidates ensures swift placement. Our process, known for its discretion and efficiency, attracts a wide range of talent seeking new opportunities without the risk of jeopardizing their current roles or facing discomfort within their professional circles. Thanks to our extensive network and high engagement rates, we’re able to mobilize our resources effectively to fill vacancies promptly. Leveraging word-of-mouth referrals and our broad reach, we offer access to premier talent at a fraction of the cost of traditional headhunting services, establishing us as a crucial ally for political consultants with limited budgets.

Learn more at www.RepublicanJobs.gop

Republican Jobs recommends ‘My Perfect Resume’ to quickly create, change or fix a resume to solve most of these issues. Learn more at our affiliate link here. 

Republican Jobs was started to help as many political operatives on the right as possible, regardless of which side of the Republican Party they’re on. I’ve personally reviewed more than 25,000 resumes in my political recruitment career, and probably even more than that. I’ve had the pleasure of placing thousands of operatives into various careers and campaigns. However, the resume mistakes I’ve seen have always remained consistent, so I felt it was time to get it in writing to help our applicants! 

Here are the 14 most common mistakes I’ve encountered, why they matter, and how to fix them. While none of these are major and are not hard to correct, these small improvements will make every recruiter, headhunter, and hiring manager thank you, leading to better job success. I hope that these tips will assist applicants in enabling us to better support them in their endeavors, or ‘help us help you’!

Part 1: The Basics (For Any Industry)

1. Understand What a Resume Is Supposed To Do: The average employer views a resume for 5-7 seconds. That is how long you have to make sure they have an interest in interviewing you further or not. It is a one-page snapshot. While submitting two pages is fine for some circumstances, some employers don’t even view the second page or rip it off in some extreme cases. Make it clear, concise, and readable. It should be clear and visible. 

2. You Don’t Need a Thousand Bullet Points: Especially in politics, you’re going to have a thousand different things you did on a job. If your title is accurate, we will have a basic understanding. Leave it short and sweet. There is nothing worse than a resume with a thousand bullet points under each job title, making them unreadable. Highlight the most important RELEVANT experience to the job you are applying for first, or at the very least, the most important things you did in the role in general. Most recruiters do not have the capacity with the amount we read each day to go past bullet point 2. You’re more likely to get passed over. 

3. Newest Experience First: I see this a lot with talent in the 3-6 year range. They list their oldest experience first. There have been times where I thought their oldest job was their newest job and incorrectly thought the applicant was entry-level. Again, we see thousands of resumes, always list your newest experience first.

4. Make Your Resume a .PDF: In the age of mobile phones, many hiring managers may view your application on their phone. If it is in a .doc or .docx, it may not open or be hard to read. Any program they use can make it a PDF. A few additional tips: Don’t just scan in your resume as a .PDF, this should be a text scannable .PDF as many firms use ATS/CRMs to track your application (more on this later). You never know if someone could falsely alter your resume, sending a resume protects you!

5. You Don’t Need an Executive Summary: This isn’t the 80’s where there were physical resumes being mailed in, etc., and it was unclear where it came from. You don’t need an executive summary. Save the space to highlight your other skills. You only have one page!

6. Make Sure Your Resume Is ATS/CRM Compliant: Especially when you’re working with placement firms such as Republican Jobs, Big Fish, or job boards such as GOP Jobs and Conservative Jobs, they manage applicants via ATS/CRM systems. Recruiters may have thousands of applicants we work with or are searching through, if your resume is not ATS/CRM compliant, we may miss some of your skill sets or miss key words on your resume in a search, meaning you’re missing out on jobs! If your resume is formatted and standardized correctly, if you’re unsure, you can upload your resume to websites like myperfectresume.com. All their formats are ATS/CRM compliant. I still have applicants that aren’t, and if I have to ask you to fix it, I’ve probably moved on to other people I can more immediately help. Don’t make a recruiter’s job harder, we only have a limited amount of time in a day to help as many people as possible. If it takes two-three days to hear back, we may have already been focused on another search or found someone else to refer to a client – unfortunately in politics, roles move fast. This brings us to our next point:

7. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel: I see amazing creative talent trying to reinvent or redesign their resume to look eye-catching. The reality is these resumes are rarely ATS/CRM compliant and hard to keep on file. Have a basic resume, your education and contact information at the top, your jobs in the middle, and your skills at the bottom or on the side.

8. Avoid Sending an “Indeed” Resume: Indeed has their own version of their resume many applicants use. These are seen as low-quality to many employers. Indeed’s one-click apply means anyone can apply, including extremely underqualified or unqualified applicants. Many recruiters use Indeed as a last resort in their recruitment process due to high spam rates, and seeing an Indeed style resume may associate you with that pool. (That’s not to say applying on Indeed with a GOOD resume won’t HELP you stand out of the crowd, as it certainly will!).

Part 2: Making the Perfect Political Resume

Here are some of the mistakes I see with industry-specific issues:

1. Not Including Political Experience in The First Place: Some may laugh reading this… but yes, we see this all the time. In someone’s first few years in politics, their campaign work may be seasonal. However, and for some reason when I mention this to applicants they act like I blew their mind, you can have a POLITICAL resume and a NON-POLITICAL resume. Send your political resume to political employers, and a non-political to non-political employers. You’re SUPPOSED to have multiple versions of your resumes tailored to a job. If we have to guess, we’re going to assume you don’t have any. 

2. Not Listing Your Last Campaign: I still have applicants in 2024 who haven’t updated their campaigns since 2022 or sometimes even 2020. I’m not supposed to guess which campaign they worked on. If you moved up from an organizer since then, and all I have is your organizer experience, why would you be on the short list for a campaign manager, for example.

3. Not Listing the Campaign or Firm Under the Job: We see this a lot with canvassers or entry-level talent. They’ve worked on 5-6 campaign deployments and can’t list the campaign or remember the name. The worst thing a seasoned campaign veteran can tell a recruiter is ‘I can’t remember who I worked for’, and it still happens weekly (there’s always one!). First off, it shows me you weren’t passionate enough about the campaign, two if you can’t list it because you’re under NDA (NDAs are only until the job ends) at least list which consulting firm you were working under. List it, again if you’re applying for roles outside of the industry make sure you have a POLITICAL resume with detail on it.

4. Inflating Campaign Titles, We Always Know: When an entry-level applicant tells me they were a ‘campaign strategist’ when they were a canvasser, it’s ALWAYS obvious. I’m not sure what’s more offensive, the fact that an applicant did this, or the fact they think we’re that stupid. The worst offense I ever had was in 2017 when an applicant said he was the ‘Assistant to the Legislative Assistant’. This glorified intern lasted three days on a campaign due to ego. He was lucky he was hired against my better judgment. There are office jokes to be made here. Don’t falsify titles, I know politics and campaigns can have ambiguous titles, but don’t overinflate them. We know, and we usually know who you worked for enough to find out on the off chance we were to fall for something that ridiculous.

5. Not Listing All Your Volunteer Experience and Political Involvement: I have passed on many applicants to later find that they in fact had volunteer experience they didn’t list. Political volunteer experience is absolutely experience. If I had two digital directors, and one had three years of digital ad experience plus political volunteer experience, and the other had four years of digital experience, I’m going with the three-year applicant. At least they probably spoke to a voter to know that messaging is a little more nuanced and that the average voter isn’t found in a social media echo chamber. But I digress that topic for a future blog.

6. Putting Your Face on Your Resume: College students, I don’t know who told you in the career counseling department that this was a good idea, but it comes off tacky.

Final Points:

The most important part of this is that we take you as seriously as you take your resume. If you aren’t serious about your resume and application, why should we be serious about your performance? While we don’t expect with the hundreds of applications an applicant may submit to make a tailored resume to every job, we do expect one that is industry-specific, and to put some effort. If you can’t take your resume seriously, would you take our client’s job seriously?

Republican Jobs loves helping applicants proof their resumes and providing feedback. We hope this helps applicants find success and happy hunting!

Of course, if you’re on the market you can apply at www.RepublicanJobs.gop/apply and find current openings at www.RepublicanJobs.gop/opportunities.

Remote/Hybrid Work and the Political Job Market: What to Do (and What Not to Do) in a Remote Job Search

National Remote Job Trends

Currently, the national hiring market is experiencing a significant demand for remote work, even as companies transition back to in-person operations. As conservatives well-versed in supply and demand, we understand that we’re facing a situation with high demand but limited supply. As headhunters, we can connect applicants to available roles, but we cannot create roles that don’t exist. We heard from dozens of clients in the 2022 political cycle that firms that brought on remote workers were burned. Even if there are plenty of solid remote workers (and we know there are many!), many employers felt burned out by the end of the cycle. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t ANY remote roles – but the reality is that they are decreasing in supply as demand from workers rises.

As a recruiter/headhunter, unfortunately, we don’t create jobs, although we do advise clients on considering remote options – which we always support and encourage given our strong national talent pool. Which brings us to our next point:

What is Republican Jobs Seeing on the Political Job Market?

In the political job market, the challenges are distinct due to the fixed locations of legislative offices, state capitols, and campaign districts. For example, in political communications, being immediately present is often critical. Picture a communication crisis erupting just before an email blast; employers need quick, direct access to their team, not the delayed responses that remote working might entail. Similarly, campaign managers need to be physically present in their district to manage campaigns effectively.

At Republican Jobs, I frequently face the difficult task of removing the limited number of remote roles listed on our website each month. On a bad day, for every remote position available, we may receive applications from over 100 qualified candidates. The sheer volume of applications makes it a challenge to ensure that every client even reviews each one.

Jobs typically labeled “or Remote*” are designed for individuals who are not just qualified, but exceedingly so. These candidates have a wealth of experience, and firms are willing to offer them remote work opportunities to benefit from their extensive expertise. If you’re a hiring agency, you might be more inclined to consider someone overqualified for a remote role, as they would have the necessary experience. You might also be able to secure them for less, as the option to work remotely is often valued at about $10,000 by an applicant. Someone who has done the job before may require less micro-management. An applicant, focused on their own job search (as they should be!), doesn’t always see the larger picture on the other side of the hiring process.

What You SHOULDN’T Do in a Remote Job Search

What You SHOULD Do In a Remote Job Search

As we explore what you should be doing in your job search, it’s essential to recognize that remote roles often favor candidates who are either a strong match or sometimes slightly overqualified. Therefore, the first step is to ensure you are truly suitable for the role. For example, if your background is in press relations, a direct transition into a senior-level data role is unlikely.

• Try Freelancing: Remember, most remote roles in politics are part-time contract work, particularly in digital and creative fields. Websites like GOP Jobs have an excellent freelancing section where you can find part-time work that aligns with your schedule. For more information, visit GOPJobs.com.
• Find an “In-State” Remote Job: At Republican Jobs, we regularly list roles such as our Pennsylvania Associate or Texas Executive Assistant positions at www.RepublicanJobs.gop/Opportunities. These positions are remote but require residency in the respective state and knowledge of local politics (state legislature and some federal levels). If you lack experience in a specific state, as previously mentioned, it becomes significantly harder to successfully place an applicant.
• Look into Hybrid Roles: Many D.C. firms, although they don’t openly advertise it, are open to hybrid arrangements for individuals who have proven their ability to work effectively. If you’re actively engaged at a political consulting firm, you might discover that many of the 100+ firms Republican Jobs has collaborated with are open to employees coming into the office 2-4 days a week. This option is not widely advertised because it has been misused by some as a way to work less. Many D.C. jobs take into consideration that the D.C. commute has taken away from employee productivity.
• Give a Real Reason Why You’re Qualified for the Role: If your pitch for being qualified for a role includes mentioning that it’s remote, you’re probably not going to make it past the initial screening. Focus on demonstrating why your skills and experience make you a fit for the specific responsibilities of the role, rather than the remote aspect.

How Republican Jobs Can Help

As May approaches, I’m reminded of the familiar wave of post-graduation anxiety that sweeps over college seniors. At Republican Jobs, this time of year always brings a surge in applications from eager soon-to-be graduates, and I’m excited to share some essential tips for success in the political field, drawing from my personal experiences and lessons learned.

• 1. Timing is Important in Finding Political Careers

Remember, politics is heavily influenced by timing. My first political role was during a bustling presidential primary season. If you’re graduating in 2024, an election year, be prepared for most opportunities to be campaign-related. While legislative roles are rare during this time, the post-election season often brings a surge in policy roles seeking the best talent from the campaign trails.

• 2. No Role is Beneath You

Every year, we encounter graduates who underestimate the importance of starting at the ground level. They declare, ‘I’m above canvassing,’ or aspire to be a campaign manager without any experience, which often leads to a short-lived political career. The willingness to tackle any task, big or small, is a crucial trait that employers look for. It’s a sign of maturity and readiness for the challenges in politics. Humility goes a long way; many operatives have experienced short-lived political career due to not checking their ego at the door.

• 3. Operative vs. Activist: Know the Difference

A deep commitment to conservative principles is crucial, but understanding the difference between being an activist and an operative is key. If you frequently find yourself embroiled in arguments with colleagues over trivial policy disputes, it may be a sign to reassess your suitability for this field. In politics, the main goal is to galvanize support for your candidate, rather than alienating potential voters with overzealous behavior. If your intense passion impedes your ability to take guidance or maintain composure, this might suggest that a political career isn’t the ideal choice for you. Remember, the essence of a campaign is to adeptly handle challenges and support candidates capable of nudging the political spectrum toward conservatism, rather than intensifying divisions. Achieving a healthy balance of enthusiasm and professionalism is essential. It’s important to recognize that no campaign triumphs solely on the support of voters who align perfectly with every viewpoint; the definition of ‘Republican’ varies across different regions and even within the same state or county. Don’t burn bridges, build coalitions.

• 4. Be Ready for Last-Minute Job Offers

In politics, timing is unpredictable. While planning is beneficial, most political jobs are filled on short notice. Therefore, focus on your studies early, so you’re free to apply for jobs in April. This approach demonstrates to prospective employers your ability to prioritize and manage your time effectively. With an election year in full swing, finding work will be easier, even if it’s not your dream job.

• 5. Volunteer Experience Matters – And It’s Easy To Get In College

Experience speaks louder than a degree. Engaging with voters, volunteering for campaigns, and being active in political groups not only demonstrates your commitment but also your understanding of the political landscape. These are all actions you can start today. Such experiences make you a far more attractive candidate than merely having a political science degree. Employers often struggle to gauge an applicant’s motivation, especially since most college students have little to no work experience. However, a resume filled with a significant amount of volunteer or internship experience will consistently stand out, often even more than the degree itself.

• 6. Consider a Summer Campaign Deployment

For those lacking experience or seeking to enhance it, consider a summer campaign deployment. These opportunities, often located in battleground states, are intense but immensely rewarding. They demand flexibility and the readiness to travel on short notice. Engaging in a campaign deployment is a hands-on way to make a significant impact and gain invaluable experience. By following these tips, you’re paving the way for a successful career in politics. Remember, success in this field is about being adaptable, committed, and always eager to seize opportunities as they arise. Learn more about Campaign Deployments here: Republican Jobs – Campaign Deployments.

As we navigate the dynamic landscape of politics, your journey is just beginning. Embrace each opportunity, learn from every experience, and stay committed to your growth. 

If you’re ready to take the next step in your political career, we at Republican Jobs are here to support you. Submit your resume and start your journey towards making a meaningful impact in the conservative movement. Apply now at www.RepublicanJobs.gop/apply.

Looking for internships? Check out our upcoming Summer internship listings here.