Aibu? DS should talk about his party politics activities in interviews?

[Theworried]

DS is at uni and applying for internships etc. in the field of finance. A lot of these interviews ask typical skill or behaviour questions- e.g. tell me a time when you have shown teamwork etc.
DS is an active member of the young conservatives and has done a lot of activities in his uni and in our local young conservative group- e.g. take an active role in meetings, canvassing support amongst young people etc.
He thinks that he should be able to use these examples in job interviews as they highlight his skills and is a big part of his life, but DH thinks he should shy away from it as it is do with party politics and is quite a divisive topic in society.
I think that DH is worrying unnecessarily and interviews would not look down upon it as he is developing skills through this activity.

I think he can in terms of the skills they develop but I’d stay away from the politics if that involvement.

I think it would be a good thing for him to talk about, although I understand your DH's reluctance to talk about politics. Therefore I'd advise that your DS separates the two, and simply talks about a local organisation he's involved in, and what his role/contribution is/has been.

I'd avoid discussing politics in an interview.

He can say he's taken a lead in a university society, or has had particular success improving engagement in a young adults' branch of a political party without naming the party.

Team DH. I’d see a 21 year old who supports this corrupt bunch of incompetents as having very poor judgement.

I agree with your DH tbh especially when he is a Tory party member - very divisive and you never know if could sway an employer.

Yes! Put much better than me.

Depends on where he is trying to intern.
In my business it would go down like a cup of vomit.
But finance is pretty much guaranteed to be true blue isn't it?

I think he can talk about his activities without specifying the party - in fact acknowledging that politics can be contentious and isn’t for the workplace will show maturity

In finance it’s probably fine.

For many people, membership of the young conservatives would be a massive red flag. For investment bankers etc - it’s probably viewed positively.

Also with DH. It would put me off when interviewing an intern as I would worry he woul dt be a great fit culturally. I like the approach suggested of talking about the activities and the skills gained 'whilst treasurer of a university society' or whatever, without specifying a political party. I'd feel the same these days about the Labour Party too. 21y olds interested in either have always come across as extremists to me.

Same.

If he mentions it they'll likely ask casually which party.

I wouldn't mark him down officially in scoring, but mentally it'd be a red flag that he's a young conservative and I would be looking to prioritise other candidates.

Let's face it, being a Tory is the safest choice on the planet in finance. What on earth are the chances that he'd meet some socially conscious, ethics driven environmentalist who supports the Lib Dems or Labour anyway? Definitely mention it - they'd be impressed by his experience and think he's one of them. It'd benefit him massively IMO. Being a teacher, NHS, marketing or anything else? If say do not mention it.

I'm not a Tory by the way, can't stand the ideology they thrive on. But in finance it's a shoe in that it'll impress.

Thanks everyone- it definitely does seem to make sense that he could mention these activities without mentioning which political party he is a member of. Would it be unlikely that an interviewer would probe more, and how should DS handle it if they do.
he could simply avoid talking about this entirely but it is a significant part of his life (he attends weekly meetings etc) and it has given him a chance to develop a lot of skills.

Can he use the examples without specifying the party he is a member of?

Politics is very risky at work, although in finance I'd probably assume they'd be right leaning so at least he's not a paid up Green Party member!

Perhaps he could describe what he does but just say "one of the main political parties" and then add a caveat 'although I generally leave politics at the door when it comes to work.'

This

Christ I'd be mortified if I'd raised my kid to identify with tory values

Shameful

He should talk about his role in his uni society but not mention the politics aspect just in case it affects his application.

He can mention, it so long as he is totally prepared to accept that people will make assumptions about his character and world view. For some, the assumptions will be positive others not.

I’m amazed that any Zedder can support the Tories. I haven’t even got past that bit.

I think it’s field dependent and it would be fine in finance. I don’t think you can be vague, it looks like you’re ashamed of the work.

@Theworried He could chose not to name the political party.

He could talk/write about the experience and skills gained though working / volunteering with a political party rather than name the party?

I’m a partner at a Big 4 firm, and we have to stay very carefully politically neutral. The same is true of all the Financial Services firms I know (and I know a lot of firms).

I would see speaking about a specific political party as very poor judgement - as others have said, he should just refer to a university society, rather than Young Conservatives.

And, for what it’s worth, everyone I know in finance and business is utterly sick of the Tories and their rank incompetence, irrespective of their usual political preferences.

Would it be unlikely that an interviewer would probe more, and how should DS handle it if they do.
he could simply avoid talking about this entirely but it is a significant part of his life (he attends weekly meetings etc) and it has given him a chance to develop a lot of skills.
It's unlikely they'd probe more as someone's political beliefs are usually irrelevant to their ability to do a job.

If they did then something polite and diplomatic about preferring not to discuss politics in professional environments would suffice.

@PurBal That is what I thought as a lot of these companies seem to be looking for someone who has enthusiasm for what they do and to be dedicated about something outside his academic work, and it would be hard for DS to try and be as vague as possible about this activity. Though maybe it still would be safe to just mention that it is a political party without naming which one.