Push Poll
A push poll is a type of political campaign technique that looks like a regular opinion survey but is actually designed to influence voters by spreading information (often negative) about candidates or issues. It's different from legitimate polling because its main goal isn't to collect data, but rather to spread messages to voters. When you see this term in resumes, it usually indicates experience with voter outreach and campaign messaging strategies. Similar terms you might see include "message testing" or "voter persuasion calls."
Examples in Resumes
Managed team of 20 callers conducting Push Poll operations across three state districts
Developed messaging strategy including Push Polling to reach 10,000 likely voters
Analyzed effectiveness of Push Poll campaigns in swing districts
Typical job title: "Campaign Strategists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Campaign Strategists
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure push polling activities comply with campaign regulations?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of federal and state campaign laws, FCC regulations, and best practices for voter contact and disclosure requirements.
Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of a push poll campaign?
Expected Answer: Should explain tracking voter sentiment changes, response rates, and message impact through various metrics and follow-up surveys.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when designing push poll questions?
Expected Answer: Should discuss message testing, target audience analysis, timing considerations, and how to craft effective persuasion messages.
Q: How do you train callers for push polling operations?
Expected Answer: Should explain training methods for proper message delivery, handling voter responses, and maintaining professional standards.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between a legitimate poll and a push poll?
Expected Answer: Should explain that legitimate polls gather voter opinions while push polls aim to influence voters by sharing specific messages.
Q: How do you maintain caller scripts and voter lists?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of managing contact lists, updating scripts, and recording voter responses.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic voter contact methods
- Script reading and data entry
- Voter list management
- Basic campaign compliance knowledge
Mid (2-5 years)
- Message development
- Team supervision
- Data analysis
- Campaign strategy implementation
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex campaign strategy development
- Multi-district campaign management
- Budget oversight
- Legal compliance management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of campaign finance laws
- Lack of experience with voter contact methods
- Poor knowledge of political campaign operations
- No familiarity with data privacy regulations
Related Terms
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