Whether you have been watching the presidential debates or not, you can’t avoid the commercials and opinions of your friends and family about the upcoming election. However if you are looking for a job, you can learn a lot from the presidential candidates. Not only do the presidential candidates have to know what they are talking about, but they have to be likable and look their best, just like you do in a job interview.

Here are 5 tips for job hunting you can learn from the debates…

1. Lobby for Support

By using your network of friends, family and linkedIn contacts, you most likely know someone at the company you are targeting. Reach out to those contacts to get a leg up on the competition. Over seventy percent of people have landed an interview as a result of an employee referral.

2. Manage your campaign both online and offline

An online presence can tell a lot about a candidate. Most interviewers will Google you to make sure what you say in person emulates your online presence.

3. Kiss the babies

Treat every event like a networking opportunity. Even if you aren’t currently looking for a new job, it never hurts to make new contacts. Whether you are at a family event or a social function treat every event as an opportunity. You never know who you will meet and how they may be able to help you in the future.

4. Know your constituency

Before your interview, research the company and the interviewers. In order to create a meaningful connection, you need to be as well-informed as possible.

5. Stick to the Issues

Know your talking points and what you want to emphasize before the interview. Don’t veer too far from these topics during your interview even if the interviewer goes off on a tangent.