Public affairs consultant: Entry requirements

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following subjects may increase your chances:

politics/government/public administration;
business/management;
public relations;
social policy;
modern European languages;
law.

Political knowledge and commitment, together with personal qualities, are more important than your degree subject. Entry with an HND only is unlikely.

While a postgraduate degree is not essential, many entrants to public affairs consultancy do have Masters degrees, usually in politics or a related subject.

Pre-entry experience related to politics is essential. This experience will usually be gained through:

voluntary work or internships, such as working for an MP or a member of another political institution;
involvement with a political party, trades union or employers' organisation;
holding office in a students' union;
campaigning work for a charity or pressure group;
a work placement (stage) at the European Commission .

Some public affairs consultancies offer internships to undergraduates.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

excellent research, communication (written and oral) and people skills;
a strong interest in, and enthusiasm for, politics;
the ability to assimilate written material quickly, analyse it to pick out the most relevant information, and summarise it to report to clients;
IT skills, as many information sources, such as Hansard (www.parliament.uk/hansard/hansard.cfm), are online and you will often have to prepare documents and Powerpoint presentations for clients and potential clients;
excellent listening skills;
the ability to offer advice and be diplomatic;
the ability to work on your own initiative and to relate well to colleagues, as well as clients and other contacts;
the ability to inspire trust and confidence in clients as they may be making extremely commercially sensitive decisions, based in part on your advice, and will therefore need to trust your judgement and discretion;
commercial awareness, in order to attract new business.

Use consultancies' websites and general politics sites to keep yourself informed about public affairs generally. These sites may also carry job vacancies, when they do occur.

Whilst most people enter consultancies at a junior level in their twenties, graduates with relevant and substantial experience may be recruited directly into more senior positions, bypassing the initial training and research-centred tasks.

It is illegal for employers to discriminate against candidates on the grounds of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation or religious faith. For more information on equality and diversity in the job market see handling discrimination.

For more information see work experience and find courses and research.

Advert disclaimer

AGCAS