Professional Development (April 2010)

After spending years in D.C. including time in Congress, Ron Sarasin finally has an office with a view of the Capitol dome.

You’ve sent out resumes and cover letters, and now you’ve got the interview. Your resume was clean and crisp, references impeccable and a long list of experiences showing you deserve the job. But now comes the real test — the interview.

Whether you’re just about to don the black gown and grab your diploma or you’re a workforce veteran looking for a change of scenery, it’s never easy embarking on a job hunt. With the unemployment rate now standing at 9.7 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the environment is more competitive than ever.  So it’s important to know some simple rules to set you apart from other job-seekers.

The path to becoming a member of Congress can be long and not always direct. For many, it will invariably include at least one non-political career along the way. According to numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most senators (59 percent) and House members (38 percent) start out as lawyers. But while this is the most common way to get to the House and Senate, it is by no means the only way.