A political campaign is a collective effort in support of a particular candidate or policy platform. The work can be challenging, but also deeply satisfying and rewarding. The experience can be a valuable addition to your resume, and many campaigns offer the opportunity to learn skills that are important in any career.
A campaign can be as small as two or three volunteers and as large as hundreds of paid staffers. It can be a short-term, two-week operation or a long-running campaign spanning years. A successful campaign requires the help of volunteers and professional consultants who provide various services.
Recruiting for a political campaign is often done through personal connections rather than the application process, so being well-connected can be an asset. You can find opportunities to volunteer or apply for a job on a campaign by watching social media and the local newspaper for announcements. Then you can visit a campaign office or event and ask how to get involved.
Once you’re in the campaign, be prepared to spend a lot of time on outreach and fundraising. This can be physically and emotionally exhausting, but it’s also a great way to network. Make sure you have a way to record the names and contact information of everyone you talk with, so you can follow up later. Also, for each meeting you have, take notes on how their connection can be useful to the campaign, and what your role could be in making that happen.
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