Eleanor Finch
Working on a political campaign can be an exciting and dynamic career choice. Campaign professionals work full-time in the weeks preceding elections, planning and coordinating strategies, conducting opposition research, and managing media relations. Campaign staff may include specialists in press and public relations, polling, fundraising, and logistical organizing, who work together to develop integrated strategies. Campaigns also provide entry-level positions and volunteer opportunities, which can lead to career advancement within political campaigns. Compensation for paid positions is often meager, except for senior operatives, but the work offers valuable connections and experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First exposure to politics | Volunteering for a campaign |
| Education | Training in statistics is a prerequisite for polling and voter analysis |
| Many influential pollsters have doctorates in statistics | |
| Many political workers begin as journalists | |
| Passion, confidence, and a willingness to learn are important | |
| Transferrable skills and unique experiences are valued | |
| Technical and tactical skills are extremely important | |
| Professional planning experience is required | |
| Understanding of political systems, international law, and diplomatic protocols | |
| Familiarity with political analysis tools, databases, and software | |
| Social media and digital communications management experience | |
| Experience in recruitment branding | |
| Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, sociology, or a related field |
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What You'll Learn
Campaign workers often start as volunteers
Volunteers can help register voters, deliver campaign literature and other information, call potential voters, track information from potential voters, and are responsible for getting supporters to the polls on election day. In the weeks preceding elections, campaign professionals work full time, often 24 hours a day, as they plan and coordinate last-minute campaign strategies. The pressure is intense, and many thrive on it, but others burn out.
Campaign work is also highly public, and those in press and public relations roles must be comfortable working with the media. At the highest level, the statements and actions of senior campaign aides are seen as those of the candidate. Campaign work includes many subspecialties: press and public relations, polling, opposition research, fundraising, and logistical organizing. In large campaigns, specialists in each of these areas work together to develop integrated campaign strategies; in smaller, local elections, one or two professionals will serve as jacks of all trades, developing a range of expertise.
Volunteers can gain experience in these areas, and in some of the profession's disciplines, educational or career background is also extremely important. For example, training in statistics is a prerequisite for polling and voter analysis. Many political workers begin as journalists and then put their knowledge of the media to use as press aides and campaign spokespeople.
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Passion and confidence can make up for lack of experience
Passion and confidence can be powerful assets in the world of political campaigns, and they can indeed make up for a lack of experience in certain cases. Here's how:
Political campaign work is demanding and often gruelling, with intense pressure, long hours, and little downtime. Passion is what drives many individuals to enter and persist in this field despite the challenges. Those with a deep passion for politics, a particular candidate, or a specific cause can find themselves immersed in a campaign, willing to take on various tasks and responsibilities. This passion can fuel their motivation, resilience, and dedication, making up for any lack of experience.
Confidence, or self-confidence, is also a critical trait in political campaigns, especially for those new to the field. Confident individuals are more likely to take risks, put themselves forward for opportunities, and navigate the high-pressure environment. They are also more likely to be persuasive and influential, which are essential skills in campaigning. Combining confidence with passion can create a potent force that can inspire and mobilise others.
Volunteering is often the first step towards a career in political campaigns. Passionate and confident volunteers can quickly find themselves in positions of responsibility, especially in smaller, local campaigns. They may be given more significant tasks, interact with senior staff, and gain valuable hands-on experience. This can be a fast track to building a solid resume and network, which are crucial for future career opportunities.
Additionally, passion and confidence can open doors to further learning and development. Passionate individuals are often eager to learn and improve, soaking up knowledge from more experienced colleagues and actively seeking out educational resources. Their enthusiasm can lead to mentorship and guidance from seasoned campaigners. Confident individuals are also more likely to be proactive in their learning, taking on new challenges and stepping out of their comfort zone, which can accelerate their growth and make up for any initial lack of experience.
However, it is important to note that while passion and confidence are valuable assets, they should not be the sole determinants of hiring decisions. Technical skills, tactical prowess, and a solid understanding of political systems and campaign strategies are also crucial for success in political campaigns. A well-rounded individual with a balance of passion, confidence, and competence is ideal. Nonetheless, for those eager to break into the field, passion and confidence can be a powerful starting point, providing the drive and resilience needed to navigate the demanding world of political campaigns.
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Communications staff are responsible for public-facing messages
Political campaign staff are the group of people who formulate and implement the strategy of a political campaign. Campaign staffs are generally composed of both unpaid volunteers and paid employees of either the campaign itself or a related political party. The staff may include political consultants who provide advice and assistance to a campaign. Campaigns are generally run by a campaign manager who coordinates the campaign and assures that efforts are focused effectively. Directly below the campaign manager is the deputy campaign manager, who is in charge of executing the campaign's strategic plan.
The communications director is in charge of all of the campaign's interactions with the media. They build relationships with the press, communicate with the media as the key spokesperson, set up interviews, and identify media opportunities for the campaign. The press secretary, who is part of the communications team, monitors the media and coordinates the campaign's relations with the press. They set up interviews between the candidate and reporters, brief the press at press conferences, and perform other tasks involved in press relations.
Political campaigns also employ media consultants who advise on messaging and strategy and handle the creation of advertisements. Campaigns will most commonly hire consultants with expertise in specific types of media, including television, digital/online, direct mail, and radio.
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Specialists work together in large campaigns
Political campaign workers are specialists who work together in large campaigns to develop integrated campaign strategies. These specialists have a range of skills, including press and public relations, polling, opposition research, fundraising, and logistical organizing. They work full-time in the weeks preceding elections, planning and coordinating campaign strategies. The campaign profession is exciting and fast-paced, with long hours and intense deadline pressure.
The first step into the profession is often through volunteering for a campaign, which can lead to positions of substantial responsibility in smaller, local campaigns. Volunteers may perform low-level jobs, but their hard work can be a stepping stone to more significant roles in major political campaigns.
In large campaigns, specialists work together to form an integrated campaign strategy. Press and public relations specialists are comfortable working with the media and play a crucial role in communicating the campaign's message. They write speeches, prepare ads, create media events, and respond to press inquiries. They work closely with the campaign spokesperson, who is the public face of the campaign and often a senior aide to the candidate.
Pollsters and researchers work behind the scenes, providing valuable data and insights. Pollsters, who often have advanced degrees in statistics, use polling to understand public opinion and voter preferences. Researchers, on the other hand, conduct opposition research, digging up information on opponents, vetting staff and volunteers, and tracking media appearances by their candidate and opponents.
Fundraisers are essential to the campaign's financial success, bringing in the funds needed to run a successful campaign. They may also provide support to volunteers, offering campaign housing or access to campaign vehicles to reduce living costs.
Logistical organizers play a critical role in coordinating campaign events, managing databases, and ensuring the campaign runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. They work closely with all the other specialists to ensure the campaign is well-organized and efficient.
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Press and public relations specialists must be comfortable working with the media
Press and public relations specialists are essential to political campaigns. They are responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with the media, which is crucial for getting a candidate's message out to the public and shaping their public profile. These specialists must be adept at "spinning", or presenting facts in a way that supports their candidate's position while discrediting the opposition. They may also be tasked with organizing media engagements and ensuring the candidate's public profile remains strong.
Given the high-pressure nature of political campaigns, press and public relations specialists must be able to work long hours and manage stress effectively. They should also be comfortable with public speaking and have excellent communication skills, as they will often serve as the campaign's spokesperson.
In smaller, local campaigns, press and public relations specialists may be one of the few dedicated professionals on staff, requiring them to take on a wider range of responsibilities. Conversely, in larger campaigns, they may work as part of a larger team of specialists, each contributing their specific skill set to the campaign's success.
To be effective, press and public relations specialists must have a thorough understanding of the media landscape, including traditional outlets such as newspapers, radio, and television, as well as digital and social media platforms. They should be able to craft and pitch stories that will resonate with journalists and result in favourable coverage for their candidate. Additionally, these specialists should be well-versed in crisis communication strategies, as they may need to respond to unexpected events or negative publicity surrounding the campaign.
Overall, press and public relations specialists play a crucial role in political campaigns, and their comfort and skill in working with the media can significantly impact a campaign's success or failure.
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Frequently asked questions
The campaign manager is responsible for hiring staff. They work directly with the candidate or head of the campaign to create and supervise the overall strategy of the political campaign.
Entry-level jobs are more common for larger campaigns on a state or national level. Some examples include volunteer organizers, social media content creators, or office workers.
Volunteering is a great way to get hired for a political campaign. Many people get into the profession by volunteering for a particular candidate they support and enjoying the excitement of campaigns. Another way is to network and reach out directly to individuals you want to work with and express interest.
It is important to emphasize any political or campaign experience in your resume. You should also include a succinct cover letter stating what you would like to do on the campaign and how flexible you are willing to be. It is also helpful to personalize your resume for a specific job by using keywords from the job description and highlighting your most relevant experience.
