These organizations range from nonprofit foundations and charitable organizations to lobbyists, professional associations, and consulting firms. They may represent social or political groups, provide contractual services to government agencies, promote social programs, attempt to influence public policy, perform public functions, or promote political candidates. Some private organizations have government affairs offices that monitor legislative activities and the effects those activities may have on the organization. In effect, these peripheral organizations, while not part of the government system, are engaged in very public activities. These organizations tend to be located in and around Washington, DC or the state capitals where they would have access to legislative and governmental offices.
Many organizations are small, but offer quite extensive job responsibilities.
As a job seeker, your job search will entail a great deal of networking and cold-calling. Few of these organizations offer life-long opportunities because of their small size. Compared to the number of employees of the federal government, the number of people employed on Capitol Hill is relatively small. Opportunities on the Hill can be found in legislative agencies such as the General Accounting Office and the Library of Congress, on personal staffs of members of Congress, and in the judicial system. The job search for each of these areas differs, though each relies heavily on networking and pounding the pavement.