Resources

On these pages we have curated a range of resources, blogs and interviews to help those both wanting to start a career in think tanks or policy or who are already working in the sector but would like to develop their knowledge and expertise.

  • What makes a good policy researcher?

    For over 7 years, Smart Thinking has worked with many, many policy researchers. We have seen their work being published, seen them being interviewed across media and got to know them at different events and trainings. Lots of people start out as policy researchers but how do you become a successful one, recognised by your…

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  • 7 ways to increase your chances of success when job hunting

    Whether you have just popped out of university or you are getting itchy feet at your current organisation, looking for (and landing) your next job can seem daunting. Handily you can make the process a bit less stressful by focusing on these simple tips! 1. Choose a sector you are interested in Choose a sector…

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  • Roles in the policy sector

    If you want to work in policy, either in policy research, communications, fundraising or events there are lots of places for you to consider either starting your career in or moving across to. While think tanks are usually seen as the headline policy organisations there is a vast array of jobs and organisations out there…

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  • What are think tanks and policy teams looking for in an applicant?

    You’ve seen a role that looks like it could be perfect for you so how do you make sure you are in the running as a candidate? We’ve listed a few key skills that think tanks and other organisations in the policy and Westminster space are looking for: Excellent written skills Write write write! If…

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  • What to include on your CV

    A CV is still, even in this world of AI, one of the core documents you need for any job hunt. A good CV can be tweaked very quickly and easily to tailor it for each different application. It can also help you stand out in a world of identically generated documents. Always remember that…

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  • Think tank FAQs

    Think tanks are a small but mighty sector, but not always understood externally. Here are some answers to the most common questions asked about think tanks. What is a think tank? There is no one set definition of a think tank but as a platform set up to disseminate think tank research and events, Smart…

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Work4Mp is a website dedicated to those working in the Houses of Parliament. They list all the current jobs available in Parliament. If you want to work for an MP, either as a caseworker or a researcher then this is the site to head to!

Civil Service Jobs is another great resource for those looking to start in government. The Civil Service employs thousands of policy professionals and you can usually find an interesting role in a variety of different departments.

Working in the think tank sector – once a year a network of think tanks host an online event for individuals from under-represented groups to de-mystify the world of think-tanks. They share some useful links here.