Are you looking to write your perfect Politician CV?
Aspiring politicians, like any professionals, need a compelling CV to stand out in the competitive world of politics.
Crafting an effective CV is crucial, as it serves as your professional snapshot, highlighting qualifications, experience and achievements.
In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through each step of creating an impactful CV, providing valuable tips and examples to ensure your profile leaves a lasting impression on employers. Let’s begin!
I am a confident, articulate and multi-faceted Politician who is well-respected by the electorate in my native Ward and beyond. Being heard and making a difference are the reasons I wanted to get into politics since I was a teenager in college. My passion for social justice, making a tangible difference in the community and resolving people’s problems makes me the ideal candidate for a demanding position in politics.
Achievements
Graduated with a first-class degree from Cambridge University
Established several soup kitchens and shelters for the homeless and needy in my local constituency
Education
2009 – 2010
MSc Public Policy & Management
King’s College London
Grade achieved: 68%
Relevant Modules:
Organisations & Management of the Public Services
The Economics of the Public Services
The Policy Process
2006 – 2009
BSc (Hons) Economics
University of Cambridge
Grade achieved: 1st
Relevant Modules:
Quantitative Methods in Economics
British Economic History
Labour
Analysis of Modern Politics
International Relations
Work experience
Mar 2016 – Present
Member of Parliament (MP) The Workers’ Party
Main duties performed:
Meeting with the electorate on a monthly basis to discuss any issues they might have in their constituency
Bringing up constituents’ issues during board meetings and parliamentary sessions
Campaigning on behalf of my party during election time
Reading and drafting proposed legislation
Conducting research both independently and via researchers on various issues in a bid to better understand people’s needs
Oct 2014 – Feb 2016
Councillor Hackney Council
Main duties performed:
Improve the safety and quality of life of residents in my local constituency
Liaising with local officers to tackle issues affecting the community, such as housing, social services, schools, the environment and transport
Visiting residents, inquiring about their problems and offering solutions
Jan 2011 – Sept 2014
Lecturer Durham University
Main duties performed:
Prepared lecture slides, module descriptions, tutorials, assignment briefs and other course material before the new academic year commences
Delivered exciting and engaging presentations
Graded students’ essays, exams and dissertations
Supported students during the course of the module via one-to-one/group consultations, email and/or Skype support
Qualifications
Public Speaking and Communications, College of Public Speaking (2015)
Politics: An Introduction – JKD (2014)
Skills
Presentation skills: Adept at delivering effective and engaging talks and presentations to a broad range of audiences
People skills: I thrive in situations where I can meet people, have informal conversations and offer my assistance to them
Excellent memory: Ability to remember intricate details without having to refer to notes
References
Mr John Kirby Executive, The Workers’ Party Address: 3 High St, Chester, CKL8 1YT Tel: 0744 4568 5743 Email:[email protected]
Mrs Angela Kelly Senior Academic, Durham University Address: 7 Almond St, Leeds, LE89 3YX Tel: 0777 5451 0567 Email:[email protected]
Utilise a clear and professional layout: Choose a clean, well-organised format that allows for easy navigation. Use clear headings and subheadings to categorise information, ensuring readability. Use bold typeface for important information such as headings and job titles.
Use a formal font and size: Opt for a professional font such as Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, Garamond or Times New Roman in a size between 10 and 12 points. Only use one font type for the main text of your CV; headings can be a different font.
Prioritise relevant political experience: Place your political experience prominently, showcasing roles such as campaign management, legislative assistance, or community outreach. Tailor this section to align with the demands of the role you seek.
Showcase your educational achievements: Detail your academic qualifications, including degrees, institutions, and relevant coursework. Emphasise any political science or law-related studies, especially if you achieved a first-class degree or graduated from a prestigious institution.
Integrate technology and social media proficiency: Highlight your proficiency in leveraging technology and social media for political campaigns, outreach, and communication. You can add a link to your LinkedIn profile in the “Personal Details” section of your CV.
In your CV’s personal profile, you introduce yourself to potential employers, highlighting key skills and experiences. This section is crucial as it provides a snapshot of who you are professionally, making a strong first impression.
With a proven track record in politics, I bring extensive experience navigating legislative processes and championing community-driven initiatives. As a councillor, I successfully spearheaded policies promoting sustainable development, such as implementing a comprehensive recycling program that reduced our district’s carbon footprint by 20%. My commitment to transparent governance and collaborative leadership positions me as an asset to furthering impactful political agendas.
Achievements
In the achievements section of your CV, you highlight specific accomplishments and successes throughout your career to showcase your tangible contributions and skills to potential employers.
Present this section as a bullet-pointed list.
Example:
Received the “Community Champion” award for outstanding dedication to public service and community development.
Implemented policies to address environmental concerns, resulting in a 20% reduction in carbon emissions in the constituency.
Organised and hosted town hall meetings to engage with constituents, ensuring their voices were heard in legislative decisions.
Implemented measures to enhance public safety, resulting in a 25% decrease in crime rates within the constituency.
Employment and work experience
In the employment section of your CV, you outline your work history, highlighting key roles, responsibilities and achievements.
You can include a variety of roles in the employment section, ranging from full-time positions to part-time jobs, voluntary work and internships.
September 2019 – December 2020
Campaign Coordinator Assistant Green Political Party Office, Manchester
Main duties and responsibilities performed:
Assisted in planning and executing political campaigns, including door-to-door canvassing and community outreach.
Managed social media presence, contributing to a 30% increase in online engagement during the election period.
Coordinated volunteers and campaign events, ensuring seamless execution and maximising voter outreach.
Conducted research on key policy issues, providing valuable insights for campaign messaging.
Achievements: Played a pivotal role in achieving a successful election campaign, contributing to increased community involvement and a significant rise in online visibility for the political party.
Policy development: Contributed to the formulation and development of effective policies in alignment with the party’s values and objectives.
Constituency engagement: Actively engaged with constituents through regular town hall meetings, addressing concerns, and ensuring their voices were represented in legislative decisions.
Campaign coordination: Coordinated political campaigns, managing teams of volunteers and organising events to promote the party’s agenda.
Legislative research: Conducted in-depth research on various legislative issues, providing informed perspectives for parliamentary debates and decision-making.
Community outreach: Executed door-to-door canvassing, fostering direct communication with residents to understand their needs and concerns.
Social media management: Managed and enhanced the party’s social media presence, contributing to increased online engagement and visibility.
Volunteer coordination: Organised and directed volunteers in campaign activities, ensuring effective use of resources and maximising outreach.
Event organisation: Planned and executed political events, rallies, and fundraisers, fostering community involvement and support.
Public speaking: Delivered articulate and persuasive speeches on political platforms, effectively communicating the party’s positions and policies.
Collaborative leadership: Worked collaboratively within the political team, fostering a cohesive and productive working environment to achieve common goals.
Educational background
The education section of your CV showcases your academic background in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent qualification.
Highlight your university degrees first, mentioning the institution and the degree obtained.
Following this, include relevant qualifications such as A-Levels, GCSEs, diplomas or any other certifications that demonstrate your educational achievements.
Example:
September 2016 – July 2019
BA (Hons) in Political Science and International Relations
University of London
Degree Classification: Upper Second Class (2:1).
Subjects Studied:
International Relations
Political Theory
Comparative Politics
September 2014 – June 2016 Results: Politics (A), History (B), English Literature (B).
A-Levels
City College London
Qualifications
In this section, you present a comprehensive list of specific courses, certifications, and professional training you’ve completed, showcasing your dedication to acquiring and honing skills relevant to your career.
For your role as a politician, include relevant professional training and qualifications such as Political Campaign Management, Public Speaking, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Media Relations, Ethics in Politics, and Leadership Development to demonstrate your comprehensive skill set and commitment to effective political leadership.
Example:
Level 7 Diploma in Public Administration – Institute of Leadership and Management
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – University of Oxford
Advanced Certificate in Political Campaign Strategy – London School of Economics
Level 5 Certificate in Parliamentary Procedure – Chartered Management Institute
Master of Public Policy – University of Cambridge
Certificate in Political Leadership – Westminster Education Institute
Level 6 Diploma in Governance and Public Policy – Open College of Governance
Skills and competencies
In the skills section of your CV, you should concisely highlight the key competencies that make you an effective leader and public servant. This is your opportunity to showcase your abilities in a focused manner, providing the reader with a quick snapshot of what you bring to the table.
Include skills such as strategic thinking, public speaking, negotiation, policy analysis, and team collaboration to demonstrate your suitability for political roles.
Example:
Negotiation and diplomacy: Played a key role in cross-party collaborations to pass legislation, demonstrating adept negotiation skills and fostering bipartisan relationships.
Strategic thinking: Successfully developed and implemented a comprehensive constituency outreach plan, resulting in increased voter engagement by 20%.
Media Relations: Proven track record of handling media interactions, ensuring positive coverage and effectively managing communication during critical situations.
Public speaking: Adept at articulating ideas and policies persuasively, engaging diverse audiences in various settings.
Negotiation and diplomacy: Skilled in building consensus, resolving conflicts, and fostering positive relationships with stakeholders.
Team collaboration: Proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, fostering a cohesive and productive working environment.
Crisis management: Capable of responding to unforeseen events with resilience and maintaining public trust during challenging situations.
Constituency advocacy: Committed to representing and addressing the concerns of constituents through active engagement and advocacy.
Ethical leadership: Adheres to high ethical standards, promoting transparency and accountability in political decision-making.
Community engagement: Skilled in connecting with local communities, understanding their needs, and advocating for their interests.
Legislative process knowledge: In-depth understanding of the legislative process, from proposal to enactment of laws.
Problem-solving: Proactively identifies and resolves issues, finding practical solutions to complex challenges.
Political campaigning: Knowledge and skills in planning and executing successful political campaigns.
Personal interests
The personal interests section of your CV provides a glimpse into your hobbies and activities outside of work, offering a more rounded view of you as an individual.
Examples of politicians’ hobbies and interests include reading historical biographies, engaging in community service initiatives and participating in local sports clubs.
Example:
Outside of my political responsibilities, I am an avid community advocate, actively participating in local events to stay connected with the concerns of my constituents. My passion for sustainable living is reflected in my commitment to organic gardening and promoting eco-friendly initiatives. Additionally, I enjoy strategic board games, honing my analytical skills, which are integral to effective policymaking.
Referees
In your CV, the references section is where you provide details of individuals who can vouch for your professional abilities. These referees should ideally be people you’ve worked closely with, such as former managers or colleagues.
Example:
Mr. John Turner Head of Government Relations, Westminster Strategies Address: 23 Milk Lane, London SW1A 2AB Tel: +44 20 XXXX XXXX Email:[email protected]
Dr Ian Wright Executive Director, Public Policy Forum Address: 12 Liberty Square, London W1B 2HW Tel: +44 20 XXXX XXXX Email:[email protected]
Note: If you do not wish to disclose your references on your CV, you should write, “References are available upon request.”
Use impactful language: Utilise dynamic verbs to convey your achievements, such as “orchestrated community initiatives” or “pioneered legislative reforms,” to highlight your significant contributions.
Quantify achievements: Enhance your credibility by quantifying your accomplishments, for instance, “increased constituency engagement by 30%” or “successfully passed legislation resulting in a 15% reduction in unemployment.
Demonstrate collaboration: Illustrate instances of successful collaboration with fellow politicians, community leaders, or constituents, underlining your ability to work cohesively towards common goals.
Exhibit grassroots engagement: Showcase your commitment to grassroots politics by narrating experiences of connecting with local communities, reflecting a genuine understanding of their concerns.
Illustrate fundraising success: Showcase your ability to secure funding for political campaigns or community projects, emphasising the financial responsibility and trust placed in you.
Written by Sobhan Mohmand Sobhan is a qualified Careers Advisor and Professional CV Writer with over 10 years of experience in helping job seekers get a job. He is a Member of the Careers Development Institute (CDI) and is listed on the official UK Register of Career Development Professionals. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (QCF).
Communication Skills Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people, including government officials, council staff, media and the general public
Caring Being caring for the needs of all the constituents, particularly of the homeless, elderly, sick and vulnerable members of the community
Interpersonal Skills Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate and interact with others
Organisational Skills Keeping organised and focus on the important tasks at hand
Problem-solving To identify and solve social problems in the constituency
Public Speaking Giving speeches and presentations to a large audience and group of people
