How to get into government relations and/or policy jobs?

[PamplemousseRouge]

I'd love to be involved in government relations and/or policy jobs as a career.

I'm just wondering what sort of entry-level jobs I should focus on in order to build a career in government relations or policy?

I'm currently volunteering with Citizens Advice, and also tutor part-time at the moment. Got a degree in Languages.

Thanks :)

Bumping :) already looking regularly on websites like Charity Kib and W4MP Jobs, which seem like good places for these kinds of jobs :)

Hopeful bump :)

Anyone? :)

By ‘government relations’, do you mean communications?

I have worked in the civil service, not any more thank God, but the policy people I met had usually come in as graduate entrants and chosen to specialise in that area. Not many people joined that discipline externally from non-public sector policy roles. Policy can be quite cerebral compared to other roles and the people working in that area tended to fit a certain mould: serious, and took themselves very seriously.

Comms was/is easier to break into, because people from non-public sector backgrounds were considered. If that is what you are interested in, look for entry level corporate or (similar but less useful) internal comms roles.

Civil service apprentiship scheme perhaps?

Any reason why you've not applied for the Fast Stream?

An apprenticeship would not be appropriate given that you already have a degree.

Loads of people come in to Government from industry and all sorts of other sectors.

And lots of jobs here - www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi

Look for a policy EO (or HEO, if you've got some relevant experience) role on the Civil Service Jobs, and apply.

do you mean outside of the civil service?

Thanks everyone :)

I'd be interested in policy jobs both in and outside the Civil Service. E.g. policy jobs in charities.

For government relations, I mean roles with private sector/public sector organisations and charities that influence Parliament and improve government policy.

For instance, I saw a
Policy Officer job with Teach First advertised earlier this month, but didn't go for it as I don't have relevant experience. Does anyone have any tips on what would be the best way of getting into this sort of job?

Bombardier I did apply for the Fast Stream earlier this year, but didn't get past the Etray exercise unfortunately.

CharityJobs is quite good, weekly job listing. I started my grad job in consulting but working on government contracts so got policy experience drafting papers that way (I failed FastStream). If you are only starting out look at every grad scheme going. I had a v good local government job and lots of our junior policy staff were brought in on temp contracts - have to chat to temp agencies and see which one in your area has a contract with your local government body? Once you get a foot in the door you can apply for internal role - I know policy staff in DEFRA/ Treasury and Decc that all started on temp contracts through agency. Think about other agencies too - Often has some great roles, and policy skills are V transferable.

Citizen Advice experience is great on CV - maybe look into advocacy roles with charities? It's a great way in.

And in terms of skill set look at making sure you have sharp numerical and analytical skills, project management and excellent written, notetaking skills - lots of which you can learn from online courses.

Can't edit my previous post - but it said Ofgem, not often! Regulatory bodies like that generally can be great for getting policy experience.

Thanks Labyrinthian :)

Fast stream pretty tricky. Go for an EO or HEO job and apply from the inside. Many do, successfully.

Thanks Orlanda :)

@PamplemousseRouge hello, I’m also looking to get into the policy sector and was wondering how you got on?

Hi @Zebra12! I applied for a few different Civil Service jobs and then got my first CS role at EO level in 2019, and then I started an HEO role in the CS a few months ago :) very happy to help if you’d like to have a chat - feel free to PM me.

Hi @PamplemousseRouge I know this is an old thread but I am interested in making a move into policy (education in particular interests me) and whilst I have 20+ years experience working in advertising and media (so lots of transferable skills) I don't have specific experience in this sector. Are you still in the CS and are you enjoying it?

It depends a bit on your politics and where you see yourself long term, but if you are left/centre left and want to stay on that track then trade unions are a really good source. Even going in as admin or something basic can lead to lots of opportunities for more policy related stuff.