The political campaign is a highly competitive process that seeks to reach and persuade voters to support candidates or ideas. Political campaigns are driven by the interests of the people they intend to represent, but they also must take into account the realities of governing in a democratic system. Whether you’re interested in the policy-related aspects of politics or want to work on issues that impact people’s daily lives, gaining experience through a political campaign can be valuable.
Before applying for a job on a political campaign, you should decide if you are willing to affiliate with a particular party and what level of government you would like to work at (e.g., US House, state legislative). Partisan affiliation is a central factor in campaign opportunities because the parties organize programs to protect incumbents and challengers. If you join a team as a member of one of these programs, you will incur reputational and career costs if you leave the party later on.
A successful candidate will have a large, enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers who help the candidate reach out to, communicate with, and persuade potential voters. Having this type of collaborative experience can be personally and professionally rewarding. Moreover, it is common for winning campaigns to hire staff from the losing campaigns, particularly in primary elections.
Many political campaigns are volunteer-based and recruit through college alumni groups, law school student organizations, or local political committees. It’s also possible to apply directly to the candidate or campaign by submitting a resume and a short cover letter.