Eleanor Finch
Working on a political campaign is an attractive prospect for many, offering the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills in a fast-paced environment, gain unique insights into the electoral process, and promote political change. While landing a job on a political campaign can be challenging, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of success. From understanding the different types of campaigns and roles available to networking and volunteering, this guide will explore various strategies for getting your foot in the door and launching your career in politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Networking | Reach out to campaign alumni, use college or law school alumni connections |
| Volunteering | Canvassing, phone banking, field organizing |
| Skills | Transferable skills, unique experiences, passion |
| Resume | Personalized, specialized, relevant experience, highlighting values |
| Campaign Type | Local, state, national |
| Campaign Structure | Hired as an independent consultant |
| Campaign Work | Fast-paced, flexible, meaningful |
| Candidate | Hometown or home-state, mobile role, popularity |
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What You'll Learn
Volunteering and networking
Volunteering offers you valuable campaign insight, allowing you to learn how campaigns are run and managed. You will also develop a wide range of skills, including interpersonal skills, confidence, and public speaking abilities. Canvassing, for example, involves knocking on doors to engage with the public, explain your candidate's goals, and garner support. This is a great way to enhance your communication skills and directly impact the outcome of elections.
To find volunteer opportunities, keep an eye out for campaigns that interest you and check their websites for information on how to get involved. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are also excellent tools to find and promote volunteer opportunities. You can reach out to the campaign organizers or volunteers and express your interest in helping.
Networking is crucial when trying to land a job on a political campaign. Building connections and cultivating relationships with people working on campaigns can increase your chances of being considered for a role. Reach out to campaign alumni, as many campaign workers tend to be repeat players. Utilize your college or law school alumni connections and identify alumni working on campaigns or affiliated with partisan groups.
Remember, a spot on a campaign is rarely secured through a cover letter and interview alone. Instead, focus on expanding your network and leveraging your connections to increase your chances of being noticed and considered for a position.
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Resumes and interviews
Resumes:
- Tailoring: Create multiple versions of your resume, tailoring it to different positions within political campaigns. Highlight skills, experiences, and attributes that align with the specific job description. Emphasize any political or campaign experience you have, and showcase your ability to manage projects, work under pressure, achieve results, collaborate in a team, and interact effectively with diverse groups.
- Specialization: Specialize your resume for each position you apply to. Use keywords from the job description, highlight relevant experiences, and mention values that align with those of the campaign. Passion for the candidate's policies or values is often sought after by employers.
- Volunteering: If you're struggling to land a paid role, consider volunteering for a political campaign. This will not only expand your network and help you meet people who can connect you to paid positions, but it also demonstrates your commitment to the cause and your work ethic—both highly valued qualities.
- Transferable Skills: Remember, campaigns thrive on diversity and actively seek individuals with experiences outside of politics. Your unique set of transferable skills can help amplify the campaign's messaging and reach a wider audience.
Interviews:
- Confidence: Approach interviews with confidence. Provide thoughtful responses to common questions and learn how to tell a story to showcase your confidence effectively.
- Preparation: Prior preparation is key to avoiding common pitfalls. Research the company's mission, vision, and values, as well as the background of your interviewer. Be excited about any new initiatives the organization has launched.
- Knowledge Integration: During the interview, integrate your knowledge of the organization into your responses. Discuss your skills and experiences in the context of the role, showcasing how your unique voice can contribute to the campaign's strategy and execution.
- Passion and Willingness to Learn: Campaigns often hire individuals who showcase passion, confidence, and a willingness to learn, even if they don't possess all the required skills. Don't be discouraged from applying if you lack certain skills listed in the job description.
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Campaign type and location
When deciding on the type of campaign, it is worth considering your interests, skills, and qualifications. National campaigns may require more specialized knowledge and experience, whereas local campaigns can provide a good entry point for those new to the political field. The location of the campaign is also a key factor. While it is possible to work on a campaign in a place where you don't have geographic ties, working with a hometown or home-state candidate can have its advantages. You may have a better understanding of the local issues and be more connected to the community, which could make it easier to secure a position.
However, don't let geography be a limiting factor. Many campaign staff work for public officials from thousands of miles away. Consider whether you want to work at a campaign headquarters or take on a more mobile role, such as field organizing or advance work, which can offer more flexibility in terms of location. The popularity of the candidate is another consideration. While working for a frontrunner can be appealing, keep in mind that they may attract more competition for job seekers. Alternatively, working for a less popular candidate could mean less competition and more opportunities for advancement.
Volunteering is a great way to get your foot in the door and build experience. Many campaigns rely on volunteers to canvas neighborhoods or run phone banks. This can be a fantastic opportunity to meet campaign professionals, political candidates, and build a strong professional network. You can also gain experience by pursuing internships or reaching out to your alumni network to connect with individuals already working on campaigns. When applying for jobs, be sure to tailor your resume to each specific role and highlight your passion for the candidate's policies and values.
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Skills and experience
While some campaign jobs are posted on online job boards, networking is crucial to obtaining a job in the political field. A spot on a campaign is rarely secured through the cover letter and interview process alone. Instead, networking with people who work in political campaigns may help you find a job. You can build a political campaign network by volunteering, contacting local political organizations, joining political interest groups, and finding an internship. Volunteering can give you valuable experience working on a campaign and may help you meet campaign professionals or political candidates.
If you are passionate about a particular political party or social issue, consider applying to positions for candidates with that affiliation. Employers at political campaigns often look for people who are passionate about their candidate's policies or values. Choosing a political campaign that interests you may increase your motivation and can improve your job performance.
Campaigns actively look for individuals with transferable skills and unique experiences who can amplify a campaign's messaging and reach more voters. Everything that makes you stand out helps Democratic candidates connect with folks from different backgrounds. Whether in strategy or execution, you bring a distinct voice that would otherwise go unheard.
Experience is built by following exciting races and pursuing good work opportunities. Smaller races can be a good opportunity to gain varied experiences and learn how to figure out what other departments are doing and how it impacts your work.
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Values and interests
When it comes to getting a job on a political campaign, values and interests play a crucial role. Political campaigns are organized activities aimed at creating political change, and your values and interests should align with the campaign's goals.
Firstly, it's important to identify your values and interests. Ask yourself what issues or causes you care about deeply. Are you passionate about social justice, environmental protection, economic reform, or something else? Identifying your core values will help you choose a campaign that matches your beliefs.
Secondly, consider the type of campaign that interests you. There are various types of campaigns, including local, state, and national campaigns, each with its own focus and scope. For example, local campaigns address issues affecting smaller areas, such as cities or counties, while national campaigns tackle broader topics and require larger teams. By understanding the different types of campaigns, you can determine which aligns best with your interests and values.
Once you have a clear idea of your values and interests, you can start researching specific campaigns. Look for campaigns that promote values and policies that resonate with you. For instance, if you're passionate about progressive values, you might seek out campaigns that prioritize diversity, inclusivity, and social change.
When applying for jobs within a campaign, showcase how your values and interests align with the campaign's goals. Highlight relevant experiences or skills that demonstrate your commitment to their cause. For instance, if you're interested in a campaign focused on environmental protection, discuss any volunteer work or academic projects related to sustainability.
Remember, employers in political campaigns seek passionate individuals who believe in their candidate's policies and values. Your enthusiasm for a particular political party or social issue can be a driving force in your job performance. By aligning your values and interests with the right campaign, you increase your chances of securing a fulfilling role that motivates you to make a meaningful impact.
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Frequently asked questions
You don't need prior experience in politics to get a job on a political campaign. Campaigns actively seek individuals with diverse backgrounds and transferable skills to amplify their messaging and reach more voters. Volunteering is a great way to gain valuable campaign experience and build your professional network. Networking is crucial to obtaining a job in the political field.
You can build a political campaign network by volunteering, contacting local political organisations, joining political interest groups, and finding an internship. You can also gain experience by following exciting races and pursuing good work opportunities. Networking with campaign alums is also a great way to expand your connections.
You should prepare for a job interview on a political campaign by showcasing your passion, confidence, and willingness to learn. You can also improve your resume by personalising it for the specific job, using keywords from the job description, and highlighting your most relevant experience. Researching the company's mission, vision, and values can help you provide thoughtful responses during the interview.
