Mikl-Leitner taught at the business school (Handelsakademie) in Laa an der Thaya, where she had previously studied, from 1989 until 1990. Subsequently, she became a trainee with the Federation of Austrian Industries until 1993 and then worked for a publishing company until 1995. At that point she made her first steps into politics. She became the marketing manager for the Lower AustrianÖVP in 1995 and their leader in 1998.
Politics
Johanna Mikl-Leitner was a member of Austria's national council from 29 October 1999 (1999-10-29) until 18 April 2003 (2003-04-18), representing the ÖVP. On 24 March 2003, she became a member of the provincial government (Landesrätin) of Lower Austria.