The Introvert's Job Search Dilemma

A young man came to the office this week with big political aspirations. He shared that growing up an introvert, he never really thought that someday he would be moving to D.C. or go to work on Capitol Hill. To him, the Hill was the place where "loud" ruled supreme. As a self-described policy geek and a wonky nerd, he couldn't picture his talents in the loud, flashy environment we see on TV via The West Wing or on House of Cards. 

There is much that House of Cards and The West Wing gets wrong and grandstanding is one of them. We are seeing first-hand that pounding the table in government doesn't always work. It's actually logical thought and dedicated action that moves the needle forward. It's experience-based levelheaded calm.

Sure, there are those who shine in the spotlight, but a majority of Hill staffers prefer to work behind the scenes, chugging away and working hard to make sure their Member or Committee is staffed effectively. We now have a seasoned Veteran and former United States Marine Corps General as White House Chief of Staff for a reason.

In point of fact, introverts are the norm, not the exception in Washington D.C. For the last five years we have helped hundreds of Hill staffers get jobs. For every Anthony Scaramucci with flash and pop, there are about 500 policy wonks and legislative pros who are passionate and dedicated to their work. They last for 10 years, not 10 days. The work horse, not the show pony, has longetivity in D.C. They are worth their weight in gold and lobbyists work very hard to get their attention.

There are many reasons why you as an introvert could be in high demand here in Washington. We have seen that introverts are more cautious and careful about how they conduct themselves in the marketplace. Because they shy away from the spotlight, they’re much less likely to find themselves embroiled in embarrassing scandals, public Twitter or social media wars, or ill-advised and ill-considered gaffes. 

Introverts tend to keep confidential information confidential, a quality of the utmost importance to Members on the Hill. While others are talking, introverts are usually thinking, meticulously calculating in a calm and collected manner that keeps others at ease in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment. If you think an introvert isn't riled up, you are wrong. He just doesn't show it.

Here is the problem. Introverts need to get through the interview process. If you’re trying to get a job on the Hill, being an introvert can seem like a major defect in the job search. After all, what introvert would jump at the chance to conduct cold emails, schedule coffees, or talk about themselves and their accomplishments in formal interviews? 

Luckily once you know the tips and tricks to make your congressional job search a success getting a job on the Hill is no more difficult than passing that tough course in grad school. You just need the motivation and self-discipline to follow the textbook and take the action necessary to be successful.

Bad policy is more painful than a bad job search, even if it doesn't always feel that way. Before you know it, you’ll be moving one foot in front of the other until you receive your new congressional business card.

Don’t worry if you don’t get it the first time, or the second, or the 30th. It took me 74 coffees and interviews to land my first paid position as a Legislative Assistant on Capitol Hill. I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't how how the Hill worked. I just maintained a 100% commitment to landing a position on the Hill and then let the chips fall with a lot of support and guidance.

That's the main hit. None of this was without help. I reached out to a former Energy & Commerce Chief of Staff who went to the University of Richmond. After an informal coffee, he introduced me via email to a House Legislative Director. This young man was kind enough to give me 30 minutes and the first tiny pieces of gold that would prove invaluable to for the rest of my search.

Don't let the job search process itself deter you from a place and an experience that you truly deserve. Capitol Hill is a place where you can bring tremendous value. There are thousands of positions you only need one.

Time On The Hill is an online resource for those seeking to serve in Congress. The website has helped hundreds of staffers in both the House and the Senate. We provide a complete senior staff email directory, detailed jobs and internship postings, your college congressional alumni family, and an entire blueprint on the complete congressional job search process. Visit www.timeonthehill.com for more information.