And so you finally decided to enter the world of politics. It's not easy, but with the right behavior, the right mindset and the wisdom it takes, anything is possible. In this article you will find tips that will surely give you a great help regarding institutions, associations, schools, whatever your field of interest in politics will be. Before you even know it, you will be a prominent political figure in your organization!
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Climbing the Politics Ladder
Step 1. Start as a volunteer
A moment after getting your driver's license you already have an opportunity. Something is likely going on somewhere in your community - look for it. Go to a meeting, find someone with an air of authority, and ask them if they need help.
- Generally, for any serious volunteer, there is a window of 5 - 10 months before an election, no matter what election it is. Every five years there are obviously parliamentary elections, but at shorter intervals there are many elections that you could be of help with.
- If you arrive at the right time, you will find yourself wandering into the wonderful world of knocking on the door and making political phone calls. It's not a glamorous job, but you have to start with something. If you find a candidate whose views you share, getting passionate about propagating their point of view will be easy.
Step 2. Go to university
Not only is it almost mandatory for your upcoming political success, but it will put you in sight with a lot of associations and people you might not otherwise have gotten to know and meet. It is best to specialize in political science, law, communications science, or statistics, taking into account your goals.
- As soon as you enter college, find associations that sympathize with your party. In every university they are present and they enable you to start. Eventually, think about becoming a student representative in university governing bodies, and taking part in student politics.
- While you're at it, get involved in municipal and local elections. You have to put on the fire as many irons as possible, however small they are. The more people know you, the easier it will be to make connections and keep climbing the ladder.
Step 3. Enrich your resume in other ways
Do this especially with non-profit organizations and with sports and recreational organizations. Charities are a good target, but sports associations and clubs can also play their part.
- If you have ever thought seriously about the military, this is also a path that can help, both by enlisting you, and by studying and preparing to be an officer. Leadership, discipline, and experience will make your resume more valuable in the future. However, in the armed forces there are commitments and risks that go beyond political aspirations, so think carefully before choosing this path.
- Another option is to work for a nonprofit in your community. By taking on a role in a community assistance program or charitable initiative, you build yourself a resume that shows that you care about helping the people around you.
Step 4. Become an organizational manager
Okay, you've done the dirty work of knocking on doors and you've met the right people. Now it's time to step up. Being an organizational manager is the next position - now you will direct and hire volunteers to do a job, you already know, for the election of an MP or for a coordinated election campaign.
- The election of a parliamentarian is self-explanatory. You will work for a candidate for the office of senator or deputy. Sometimes the team is quite small - just over a dozen people can make up the whole team.
- A coordinated election campaign is when you work for the whole party, or nearly so. If elections are held for multiple offices, sometimes election campaigns merge to kill two (or three or four) birds with one stone. In this way, instead of being disturbed by knocking on her door three times in a day, and risking losing her vote, she will be contacted only once.
Step 5. Become an executive
Look'! Now that you've shown your worth, it's time to oversee organizational leaders and work for parties at the provincial or regional level. Now you will speak to various groups and really represent the party and your candidate.
You will also hire operations staff now that you are an executive. Needless to say, the responsibilities are many
Step 6. Manage an election campaign
Now is the time to oversee the implementation of the entire election campaign. You'll need to build a team of executives (fundraising, communications, controllers, and the treasurer) and make sure everything goes smoothly or incidentally.
If your candidate wins, chances are you will receive an offer to work in the elected candidate's office. Therefore, from your point of view, it is obviously best to work for a serious candidate who is likely to win. From now on, it is time for you to run for your office
Part 2 of 4: Being Eligible
Step 1. Network
An important part of getting (and keeping) political office is communicating with people. Make sure you are able to talk to anyone, anywhere, and are ready to do a lot of networking. An easy way to do this is to go to meetings (from local to national). Try to be a public figure in your party as much as possible.
Moving forward in almost any career is something you already know, and politics is a good example. Having connections with people who are in charge and who can support you, with potential financiers, with possible campaigners, or simply with voters, is the key to success in politics. Any occasion is good for making connections and expanding the circle of good relationships
Step 2. Manage your image
If your Facebook profile is inundated with your images while you toast for a boules win (without wanting to denigrate this skill), you may not be the right person to represent a large number of people. Buy yourself a dress and make sure it "fits you" - literally, but mostly metaphorically.
- Develop the ability to speak in public. It's sad, but even if you are super qualified for the job and your views are in line with those of the majority of voters, if you can't get them to trust you, the odds are zero.
- Be energetic and passionate no matter what level of events you participate in. If you reluctantly make phone calls or participate in local elections while your head is constantly in Rome, people will realize this and consider you useless. Be present and attentive to details.
- Take on the role. When it comes to major elections, the person who looks best almost always wins. The more you take on the role, the more you will inspire confidence. The more you inspire confidence, the more votes you will get. So invest in a good dress, matching pants and anything that can enhance your appearance.
Step 3. Dedicate yourself
From the moment you embark on this career, your times will be turned upside down. All of this will represent a large part of your life - are you ready? Whether it's hours spent knocking on doors, or nights spent rereading documents, there will be days (even weeks) when you will feel drained. Also, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you comfortable with your entire life exposed to the public, including your mistakes? Remember that many politicians are subject to scandals in their careers.
- Can you state your opinions honestly, and keep them faithfully even when a large section of the population hates you for these opinions?
- Do you feel like committing yourself to maintaining a professional demeanor in any circumstance, even the most insignificant?
- Are you excited about making decisions for the people you serve?
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Are you and your family prepared to take on a very unstable job, where there may be years of unemployment and months on the crest of the wave?
If your answers are "yes", "easily", "obviously", "certainly", and "why not"? then you are ready to start
Part 3 of 4: Applying for the First Time
Step 1. Start young
While it may have great ambitions for your political career, remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. Politics is one of those careers where there is really a need to spend time in the lower tiers before emerging. If you are young and don't have some fascinating prospects in sight, this is a possibility. Here are some good starting points:
- School board. Becoming a member of the school board is simple and relatively easy, and it can give you the opportunity to connect with important people in your area. Having this on your resume makes it easier for you to climb the ladder.
- Town Council. This is similar to running for the school board, however you will have to deal with a lot more things, not just the education system.
- Mayor. For small municipalities, becoming mayor is probably not difficult if you are appreciated and have some experience. It is also a good starting point for your political career.
- Regional or parliamentary councilor. Applying for these positions is an effective way to enter the political system. Councilors and MPs are well paid, and have more influence than any other local office. Having this on your resume can offer you unexpected possibilities.
Step 2. Believe in yourself
Trivial as it sounds, this is crucial to being successful. If you don't believe in yourself, you will already be tired by 10pm, while your opponents will be in top form even by 2am. Being aware of your means often means half a battle won.
Since perseverance is necessary for the battles you face, it is imperative that you are motivated. You can only keep up if you believe that eventually you will be able to improve the neighborhood, the community, the state, and the lives of the people around you. Surround yourself with people who help you pick yourself up when you fall - they will help you remember to believe in yourself even when it seems like the hardest thing to do
Step 3. Raise funds
To run for any office, you need money. It is desirable that it is not yours. With the years of work done so far, it is to be hoped that it is not too complicated. Organize a team of people to do the day-to-day work while you scramble to find potential lenders.
A good place to start is the "Relatives & Friends" list. When you don't have the strength of the name, this list is the place to start. Basically, you'll have to ask everyone from the clumsy schoolmate to the bartender you spoke to once in the diner next to home. Think of a list of people that includes from childhood friends to people you met in all previous activities and occasions
Step 4. Organize everything
Before you start preparing for the election campaign, you should make sure you have all other affairs sorted out. Above all, make sure you have your finances in order. If your election bet is unsuccessful, you will suddenly find yourself out of a job. So before making the decision to run for office, try to have enough savings for a few months to keep going after the election.
- Once this is done, arrange everything with your current employees. Let them know that you intend to apply, and what the chances of success are. There is a chance that they will support you and help you as much as they can if you notify them in time.
- Finally, make sure friends and family are fully aware of what your decision entails. They will need to know what responsibilities and commitments you will have during the election campaign. The last thing you want is to make people who are important to you miserable for not providing a clear picture of what was going to happen.
Part 4 of 4: Once Party
Step 1. Be friends with everyone
Consolidating your place in politics requires a network of relationships and a lot of social skills. Make sure you don't hurt people for being too impartial in their actions and judgments. Recognize when it is time to roll up your sleeves and really make an effort - with everyone and in all circumstances in life; remember that both a rich person and a poor person each count one vote.
You must appear a good servant in the eyes of the people. Don't be hypocritically confident in your actions and don't expect people to be at your service just because you are in politics. Instead, try to help whenever you can, and be willing to sacrifice some of your time for your constituents whenever they need you
Step 2. Spend your money wisely
Confront the toughest groups in society, such as the middle class. Aggressive campaigns work well, but not always. Paying attention to your campaign budget gives you points, because it won't make you accused of trying to "cover" your expenses illegally.
So if the money arrives, don't feel authorized to have a good time on the Costa Smeralda. Your reputation is what matters now - so don't tarnish your good name
Step 3. Avoid scandals
If you have extra-marital affairs, questionable sources of income, and other scandalous activities, know that they will come up. There are few secrets in politics that ultimately go undiscovered.
Do your best to avoid complicity in such circumstances as well. There are dozens of people who would gladly see you hanging on a coat rack - don't give them that satisfaction
Step 4. Meet people
When you have time, organize meetings and speeches. It's better when people have a way to hear from you in person than to remember you from a billboard. It makes them trust you and appreciate the time you spent talking to them.
- When in the school gym or any public event, be approachable. Offer help to everyone and shake hands with everyone. The more sincere and down-to-earth you are, the more positive the impression you will leave on your people.
- Don't forget to exude a positive air wherever you are. Positive energy attracts the public, while negative energy will only give the press the opportunity to downplay your election campaign. Also, your opponents will take advantage of your negativity and use it against you.
Step 5. Consolidate your views
You probably already have political ideologies. However, make sure you have a firm focus on every topic that might come up during the election campaign, and on any potential issues you might face if you were elected. There are politicians who suddenly change their minds on every subject. These tend to be viewed very negatively by voters. Have opinions and keep them.
Absolutely never orient your opinions based on the people you are targeting. Your positions in a business meeting with prospective financiers or in a town meeting must be the same. Sure, you will change your clothes and language, but never advocate things you don't believe in and don't intend to do. With the media and technology available today, whatever you say will be memorized and compared to your previous statements. You wouldn't really be taken seriously
Advice
- At school, making friends with people from all social groups helps. This way you will get to know the views of all these groups and come up with something that will be acceptable to most, if not all, students. At the same time, this will ensure that you will not be completely defeated in the event of a misunderstanding with a specific group.
- In the public domain, mostly, people prefer losers. You have to avoid throwing dirt on other candidates because those who do so, in general, attract the ire of the people. "Better to be hit by the stone than to be the one who throws it" - Anonymous.
Warnings
- Do not be hypocritically sure of your actions, because you would end up being defined as treacherous, and you would not be considered reliable as a person capable of respecting a correct methodology.
- Don't hide anything. Hiding something means that something is wrong. An image of transparency is highly valued by people today, especially in situations where trust is difficult to receive and much more difficult to give.
