Campaign canvasser

Description

Campaign canvassers operate on field level to persuade the public to vote for the political candidate they represent. They engage in direct conversation with the public in public places, and gather information on the public’s opinion, as well as perform activities ensuring that information on the campaign reaches a wide audience.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to campaign canvasser:

campaign canvass worker
political campaign canvasser
party campaigner
political canvasser
canvasser
political party activist
party activist
political party volunteer
campaign worker

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as campaign canvasser. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Campaign canvasser is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Campaign canvasser career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to campaign canvasser.

election agent
political campaign officer
court jury coordinator
political party agent
genealogist

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of campaign canvasser. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of campaign canvasser with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of campaign canvasser.

Canvassing methods: The different methods used in liaising with a target group or individuals to gather support for a cause, such as field canvassing (going door to door), candidate canvassing (going door to door or speaking with the public with a representative of the cause present), phone canvassing, engaging passers-by on the street, and other canvassing methods.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of campaign canvasser.

Present a cause: Present the motives and objectives of a certain cause, such as a charity cause or political campaign, to individuals or larger audience in order to gather support for the cause.
Present arguments persuasively: Present arguments during a negotiation or debate, or in written form, in a persuasive manner in order to obtain the most support for the case the speaker or writer represents.
Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Perform fundraising activities: Perform activities which will raise funds for an organisation or campaign, such as speaking with the public, gathering funds during fundraising or other general events, and using online fundraising tools.
Engage passers-by in conversation: Engage people in places with heavy foot traffic in conversations to get them interested in a cause or campaign, to gather funds, or to obtain support for a cause in general.
Maintain professional records: Produce and maintain records of work performed.
Influence voting behaviour: Influence the public during a political or other legislative campaign which requires voting in order to ensure that they vote for the party, individual or motion which is preferred, by talking with individuals and using promotional strategies.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of campaign canvasser. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Interview techniques: The techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.
Political campaigning: The procedures involved in conducting a succesful political campaign, such as the specific research methods, promotional tools, liaising with the public, and other strategic aspects concerning the organising and conducting of political campaigns.
Social media marketing techniques: The marketing methods and strategies used to increase attention and website traffic through social media channels.
Vocal techniques: The various techniques for using your voice correctly without exhausting or damaging it when changing voice in tone and volume.
Advertising techniques: The communication strategies intended to persuade or encourage an audience, and the different media which are used to achieve this goal.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of campaign canvasser. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Promote political campaign: Promote the political party or politician before and during election when the political campaign is being held to ensure a wide audience and the most beneficial outcome possible for the political candidate or party, by performing promotional activities.
Comply with legal regulations: Ensure you are properly informed of the legal regulations that govern a specific activity and adhere to its rules, policies and laws.
Conduct public surveys: Conduct the procedures of a public survey from the initial formulation and compilation of the questions, identifying the target audience, managing the survey method and operations, managing the processing of acquired data, and analysing the results.
Interview people: Interview people in a range of different circumstances.
Perform public relations: Perform public relations (PR) by managing the spread of information between an individual or an organisation and the public.
Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Memorise script: Memorise a set of lines or specific information in order to convey it correctly to a target audience.
Follow given instructions: Follow instructions to achieve goals and meet deadlines.
Use positive language: Express oneself using positive language in conversation; the way in which language is used may persuade customers.
Liaise with politicians: Liaise with officials fulfilling important political and legislative roles in governments in order to ensure productive communication and build relations.
Execute marketing plan: Carry out all the activities involved in achieving specific marketing objectives within a given timeframe.
Conduct public presentations: Speak in public and interact with those present. Prepare notices, plans, charts, and other information to support the presentation.

ISCO group and title

2432 – Public relations professionals

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Campaign canvasser – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022