Omar Bennett
Working for a political campaign can be a meaningful way to promote change in local or national government. Campaign workers usually start in field, advance, or fundraising roles, and later move into policy or political work. Entry-level positions are more common in larger campaigns, which are also more structured and competitive. Smaller campaigns are good places to find starting positions as they tend to have fewer applicants and are often less complicated. When applying, it's important to demonstrate your competence and knowledge of the candidate's values and platform. Previous experience in digital marketing, online campaigns, and coding is valuable, as is experience in the high-demand area of merging interests in technology and politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Know the type of position you want | Field, advance, fundraising, policy, political, communications, etc. |
| Know the type of campaign you want to work with | Local, state, or national |
| Have previous experience | Digital marketing, online campaigns, coding |
| Be in it for the long haul | Local campaigns: a month or two; presidential campaigns: two years |
| Know the candidate's values and political platform | Research the candidate and their values |
| Have a strong cover letter | Explicitly mention the candidate and your support |
| Include a tailored writing sample | Stump speech, briefing papers, policy papers, talking points, speechwriting |
| Have a strong professional network | Leverage your connections to find opportunities |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the type of campaign and position you want
Before approaching a political campaign about working for them, it is important to identify the type of campaign and position you want. This involves understanding the different types of campaigns and the roles within them.
Firstly, consider the scale of the campaign. Local campaigns may only last a month or two, whereas presidential campaigns can last up to two years. Larger campaigns may offer more prestigious positions, but they also tend to be more competitive and turbulent. Smaller campaigns may provide more opportunities for personal connections with the candidate and other staff, and they may be less chaotic.
Secondly, research the specific campaign you are interested in. Learn about the candidate's values, vision, and key issues. Understand the campaign's strategy, including its messaging, target audience, and communication channels. Consider how your skills and experience align with the campaign's goals and needs.
Thirdly, identify the type of position you want. Campaign workers often start in field, advance, or fundraising roles, and later transition into policy or political work. Common roles within campaigns include:
- Field Director: Leads and organises the campaign at the grassroots level, creating a field plan for persuasion, voter identification, and high turnout among target groups.
- Speechwriter: Collaborates with the candidate, campaign manager, and policy advisor to craft speeches and talking points that address key issues.
- Media Consultant: Advises on messaging, strategy, and advertisement creation, often with expertise in specific media types such as digital, television, or radio.
- Pollster: Conducts focus groups, surveys, and research to analyse public opinion and interpret results for campaign strategy and messaging.
- Social Media Director: Monitors and manages the campaign's social media presence, typically as part of the communications team, to ensure positive public perception and engagement.
Finally, assess your skills, experience, and interests. Consider the skills you have that align with the identified roles and the campaign's needs. For example, if you have experience in digital marketing, online campaigns, or coding, you could be a valuable asset to the campaign's digital presence. If you have strong writing skills, consider providing a tailored writing sample with your application, demonstrating how you would produce content for the campaign.
By thoroughly understanding the campaign landscape, the specific campaign, and your own skills and interests, you can make an informed decision about the type of campaign and position that aligns with your goals and strengths.
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Research the campaign and candidate
Researching the campaign and candidate is an essential step when approaching a political campaign for a job. This step will allow you to evaluate the campaign's and candidate's policies, track record, and vision for the future. Here are some ways to conduct this research:
Official Sources
Start by reviewing official sources, such as the campaign's and candidate's websites and social media channels. These sources will provide valuable information on their platforms, policy positions, and biographical details. Official campaign websites are particularly important as they typically outline the campaign's key messaging, values, and vision.
Non-Partisan Voting Resources
Seek out non-partisan voting resources to find objective information on the campaign and candidate. Resources like Vote411.org, provided by the League of Women Voters, offer non-partisan details about candidates and their positions. These sources ensure you receive unbiased information, helping you make an informed decision about the campaign and candidate.
Local Sources
If the campaign and candidate are running for a local position, such as mayor, city council, or school board, local sources can provide valuable insights. Attend local forums, review campaign literature, and check the candidate's social media presence. Local newspapers and community organizations often offer unique perspectives on local races, helping you understand the local impact of the campaign and candidate.
Public Records and Finance Reports
Review public records and campaign finance reports to gain a deeper understanding of the campaign's and candidate's financial situation and compliance with regulations. The Federal Election Commission (FEC), for example, provides access to campaign finance reports from 1972 onwards, detailing itemized receipts and disbursements. These reports offer transparency and allow you to assess the financial health and integrity of the campaign.
Opposition Research
Conducting opposition research is crucial to anticipating potential lines of attack and developing counter-narratives. Research the candidate's public statements and actions, and any information that opponents might use against them. By doing so, you can proactively shape the narrative, address concerns, and maintain the campaign's integrity.
Understanding Voter Concerns
A campaign's success relies on understanding the concerns and perspectives of voters. Utilize tools like online surveys, face-to-face canvassing, market research, and social media interaction to gather insights. By understanding voter issues, you can ensure the campaign's messaging and strategies effectively represent and address the voters' needs and views.
By thoroughly researching the campaign and candidate, you can make an informed decision about your desired position and contribute to the campaign's strategy and success.
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Prepare a tailored cover letter and resume
A political campaign manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a political campaign and ensuring its success. It is a highly competitive role, so a well-written cover letter and resume are crucial to securing a position. Here are some tips to prepare a tailored cover letter and resume:
Cover Letter:
Start your cover letter by expressing your interest in the role and highlighting one of your strongest traits. Mention your current professional title and showcase your most impressive accomplishments and skills relevant to the role. For example, if you are applying for a position with a hometown or home-state candidate, mention your connection to the area. You can also demonstrate your alignment with the campaign's political views and express admiration for their goals and mission. If you have experience in politics, share a story about your early involvement to showcase your long-standing commitment.
If you are applying for a managerial role, emphasize your experience in developing and leading campaign strategies, and your ability to manage complex projects and teams. If you have introduced innovative approaches, such as data-driven strategies, be sure to mention them. You can also include an example of the type of written output you would produce for the campaign, such as a briefing paper or a speech tailored to the campaign's message.
Resume:
Begin your resume with a summary that highlights your most relevant qualifications and experiences. This is especially useful if you are changing careers or have a diverse background. Focus on your experience in politics, leadership skills, and project management abilities. When listing your work experience, use powerful action verbs to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. For instance, instead of stating that you "managed a budget," describe how you managed a $500,000 campaign budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and adherence to financial goals.
In the skills section, showcase your expertise and qualifications relevant to the role. Hard skills to include are job-specific or technical abilities, such as proficiency in software or social media platforms, budgeting, and knowledge of fundraising or campaign strategies. Soft skills, such as leadership and communication abilities, are also essential. Review the job posting carefully to identify keywords and ensure your resume includes the skills, traits, and experiences sought by the employer.
Finally, provide your educational background, including the types of degrees, issuing institutions, and graduation dates if they are within the last two years or you have limited professional experience.
Remember, a tailored cover letter and resume are essential to making a strong impression on the campaign and increasing your chances of securing a position.
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Leverage your personal network and connections
Networking is a crucial way to obtain a job in the political field. Even if you don’t have inside connections, these can be surprisingly simple to cultivate. The first step is to take inventory of who you know. Make a centralized list of every person in your life, including friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, former classmates, and members of clubs or groups you belong to. Consider that your existing friends, family members, neighbors, former classmates, or coworkers could have connections that turn out to be valuable.
Next, create a campaign rolodex, a running record of your campaign's contacts. Every person in your phone and computer, all the members from the groups you're a part of, and classmates from school should be included. Use your contacts on social media platforms to build up your rolodex. Once you've gathered everyone's information, compile all the contact information in contact software or a spreadsheet.
When reaching out to your contacts, be genuine. Come from a place of curiosity and think about what you can learn from the conversation. You can ask a friend something like, "Hey, I just got into politics and I see your brother is a political fundraiser. Would you mind introducing us so I can set up a coffee chat to ask about what working in politics is like?" You can also ask open-ended questions like, "I've been interested in getting more involved with digital marketing these days. Is that something you have any experience or connections in?" or "My campaign has been looking at potential political fundraising positions. Do you know anyone who might be able to help me learn more about that?"
Make it clear that you want this to be a mutually beneficial relationship, where you can also be a resource for your contacts. Say something like, "Please let me know if there's any way I can return the favor by making an introduction, giving a recommendation, or assisting with any of your own goals, too." If you can find ways to add value to your connections, they'll be more motivated to help you out as well.
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Volunteer or intern to gain experience
Volunteering or interning is a great way to gain experience working on a political campaign. It can give you valuable insight into how campaigns operate and help you build a professional network in the political realm. Many campaigns rely on volunteers to canvas neighbourhoods, run phone banks, and perform basic tasks that keep the campaign running.
Volunteering can be a stepping stone to meeting campaign professionals and political candidates. You can start by searching for volunteer sites, community boards, or specific politician's websites to find these opportunities. You could also consider joining an internship program, which many campaigns offer, to gain experience and learn the inner workings of a campaign. Campaign training programs, such as lectures, workshops, or courses, can also teach you valuable skills and techniques for working on a campaign.
If you're looking for a more intensive experience, the Campaign Management Institute in Washington, D.C., offers a two-week training session on all aspects of political campaigning, taught by experts from both major parties. The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center Legislative Fellowship in Washington, D.C., is another option for those seeking to develop their professional skills in policymaking and social change. Fellows are placed in the offices of active members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, gaining legislative and federal policy experience.
When it comes to finding opportunities, consider that smaller campaigns are often good places to start. They tend to have fewer applicants and are less complex, making it easier to land a position. Local campaigns, such as school board or county positions, are worth researching and contacting about volunteer or job openings.
Remember, any experience you can gain, whether through volunteering, interning, or training programs, will be valuable as you build a career in political campaigns. These opportunities will not only help you understand the mechanics of campaigns but also allow you to form connections and expand your professional network.
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Frequently asked questions
The fastest way to get involved with a political campaign is to visit their website, fill out a volunteer form, and sign up for your preferred option. You can also send them a direct message or a tweet.
Entry-level positions are more common for larger campaigns on the state or national level and can include volunteer organizers, social media content creators, or office workers. Field positions, such as organizers, are generally easier to get into.
You can assist campaigns without working on them full-time by taking up part-time options, volunteering, or internships.
Campaigns value previous experience in digital marketing, online campaigns, and coding. They also prefer people who are knowledgeable about the candidate's values, political platform, and previous experience with similar work.
