Politics on my CV?
I worked for a major UK Party during University (was a Political Assistant in London - responsible for a lot of operational and administrative tasks such as designing campaign materials, running digital campaigns, organising campaign events but not for actual campaign performance). Whilst not glamorous, the experience was incredibly meaningful and helped me gain lots of transferable skills - negotiated with suppliers, handled internal disputes and worked alongside high profile London Politicians. I understand that HR obviously have their own political views so I wanted to know if it’d be worthwhile to put my work experience in politics on my CV/Cover Letter and if I were to do so, what’s the chances of it harming my application? Note that I go to a non-Target studying a STEM Degree and through networking and have lined up Summer Vac/Insight Schemes lined up in 2x T1 Firms (IP Law) and another Summer Placement/Informal Internship at a Technology Consulting Firm.
only if it is LibLabCon Uniparty.
Greens/Restore/Reform would make you seem an unserious person.
Homage to D. Cummings
It was one of Lib/Lab/Con but not for my University's Branch - I got the role via the Party's Central Office and paid for by a Local Association - LinkedIn/CV would simply say the Party because I was ultimately managed and recruited from Central Office.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, including political experience on your CV can be a double-edged sword. Here's how to approach it:
Relevance and Framing:
Highlight the transferable skills you gained during your role, such as negotiation, event organization, and working with high-profile individuals. Avoid emphasizing the political nature of the role or the party affiliation. Instead, focus on the operational and administrative aspects that align with the skills valued in the roles you're applying for.
Neutral Presentation:
Present the experience in a way that minimizes potential bias. For example, instead of explicitly naming the political party, you could describe it as "Political Assistant for a major UK organization." This keeps the focus on your responsibilities and achievements rather than the political affiliation.
Impact on Applications:
While HR professionals may have their own political views, the key is to ensure your experience is framed in a professional and neutral manner. If done correctly, it is unlikely to harm your application, especially since you already have strong placements lined up at T1 firms and a technology consulting firm.
Tailoring for the Role:
If the role you're applying for values skills like stakeholder management, event coordination, or digital campaign management, this experience can be a strong asset. However, if the role is highly technical or unrelated to these skills, consider whether this experience adds value or if it could be replaced with something more relevant.
In summary, include the experience but focus on the transferable skills and professional achievements rather than the political affiliation. This approach ensures you showcase the value of the experience while minimizing potential bias.
Sources: Guide to Office Politics (Part I), Investment Banking Resume Template - Official WSO CV Example, Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, Landed Your First Job? EXTREMELY Important Thread: Office Politics, I'll help you with your CV (Top IB VP)
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