What You'll Do

  • Analyze and understand the local and national implications of proposed legislation.
  • Appoint nominees to leadership posts, or approve such appointments.
  • Confer with colleagues to formulate positions and strategies pertaining to pending issues.
  • Debate the merits of proposals and bill amendments during floor sessions, following the appropriate rules of procedure.
  • Develop expertise in subject matters related to committee assignments.
  • Hear testimony from constituents, representatives of interest groups, board and commission members, and others with an interest in bills or issues under consideration.
  • Keep abreast of the issues affecting constituents by making personal visits and phone calls, reading local newspapers, and viewing or listening to local broadcasts.
  • Maintain knowledge of relevant national and international current events.
  • Make decisions that balance the perspectives of private citizens, public officials, and party leaders.
  • Negotiate with colleagues or members of other political parties in order to reconcile differing interests, and to create policies and agreements.

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Technologies & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Adobe FrameMaker Antenna House Apple iWork Keynote Apple iWork Pages Apple Numbers for Mac Cisco AnyConnect Cisco Webex Corel WordPerfect Office Suite GoodReader iAnnotate IBM Domino Legislative Automative Workflow System LAWS LogMeIn GoToMeeting Mapping software Meeting scheduling software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Exchange Microsoft Office software

How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Alderman Assembly Member Assembly Person Assemblyman Assemblywoman City Alderman City Council Member City Councilman Congress Member Congressional Representative Congressman Congresswoman Council Member Councilman Councilor Councilperson Councilwoman Delegate Legislator Representative Selectman Senator Tribal Council Member Tribal Delegate U.S. Representative (United States Representative) U.S. Senator (United States Senator)