6 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You start by checking the MP’s calendar and email in the calendar and scheduling software and Microsoft Outlook or similar. Morning tasks often include confirming meetings, briefing the MP for any breakfast meetings, and handling urgent constituent emails.
Afternoons usually mean research for tomorrow’s debate using database software, drafting questions for ministers, and writing social posts or press releases. Evenings can include constituent casework updates in the CRM and preparing materials for next-day votes or committee sessions.
Expect heavy use of calendar and scheduling software (Outlook Calendar, Google Calendar), Microsoft Office (Word for briefings, Excel for tracking), and a CRM to log constituents’ cases. Database software is used for policy research and past voting records.
You may also use social media scheduling tools for posts and a shared drive (OneDrive/SharePoint) for storing speeches and press releases. Learn basic templates in Word and rows/filters in Excel — they save hours.
You can use AI for first drafts: ask it for a 5-minute debate speech or a short press release, then edit heavily. Always check facts against trusted sources and the MP’s positions, because AI can make up details.
Never paste confidential constituent data into public AI tools. Use AI as a drafting tool, not final copy — keep a human review step for tone, legal risks, and factual accuracy.
Pay varies by country and office. In the UK, entry-level pay often ranges from about £22,000–£28,000; experienced assistants or chiefs of staff can reach £35,000–£50,000. These numbers come from parliamentary job listings and public pay reports.
Check recent job adverts for the specific Parliament or MP’s office you’re applying to; salaries, pension contributions, and allowances are listed there and may differ by region or party.
Practice by summarising government reports into 200–300 word briefs and tracking a current bill’s progress in a parliamentary database. Use Microsoft Word to write short speeches and Excel to log sources and deadlines.
Volunteer for a local MP, internship, or student campaign role to see CRM use and scheduling software in action. Many offices teach in-house, but being able to turn a long report into a one-page briefing is a key skill.
A parliamentary assistant combines tasks: you manage the MP’s schedule, handle constituent casework in the CRM, draft debate speeches, and do policy research. A political researcher focuses mainly on policy and opposition research.
A press officer concentrates on media, press releases, and social content. In smaller offices one person may do all three; in larger teams roles are split. Look at the task list: diary + constituents + speeches usually means ‘assistant’.
Top skills are time management (using calendar software to prevent clashes), clear writing (short, accurate briefs and speeches in Word), and organisation (tracking cases in CRM and Excel). Show examples: a sample one-page brief, a short edited speech, or a mock constituent reply.
Also demonstrate research ability by summarising a policy topic with sources from a parliamentary database. Employers often ask for writing samples and a description of how you handled scheduling or a high-pressure day.