The first step of applying for an Officer position is just like applying for any job. In the application, you'll be asked a few questions about your skills, experience, vision, and aims for if you're elected. It's your chance to tell students why you think you're the best candidate for the role, and what sets you apart from other candidates.

As with any application, you should spend time doing your research and drafting your ideas before you submit your final version. The more effort you put in, the more likely it is that your application will resonate with students.

The three questions you'll need to answer are:

  1. Why do you want to be elected as a Students' Union Officer?
  2. What would your priorities be as an Officer?
  3. What skills and experience do you have that would make you a good Officer?

For each question, you'll be limited to 100 words, so write your answers out in a Word document to ensure you're keeping to the limit. Answers longer than 100 words will be cut short.

Remember, a large proportion of students will vote based solely on the strength of what you put in your application, so making sure it is engaging and well-written is the key to a winning election campaign.

1. Why do you want to be elected as a Students' Union Officer?

 

This first question is an opportunity for you to explain to voters why you're passionate about being an Officer. Do you want to be an Officer to try and fix a particular issue? Have you had an experience in your life that's driven to you want to represent others? This is a great opportunity for you for tell voters who you are - remember, getting students to vote for you is about hearts and minds - showing people how you think and how you feel.

2. What would your priorities be as an Officer?

 

This is your chance to explain what you would change if you were elected. You don't need to have every detail planned out for how you'd achieve your aims, but you should do your research to ensure your ideas are realistic, meaningful, and aligned with what Hallam students want. Here are some general pointers:

  • Strike the balance between specific and general. Your priorities should be a summary of the themes you would focus on. They shouldn't go into extreme detail about how you would achieve them - that's for when you're elected! Avoid being too broad as well - for example, "representing students" is a nice priority to have, but describes the general role of an Officer, rather than what you specifically would prioritise.
  • Base your priorities on what students really want. We have lots of resources to help you do this - check out all of the research we have on our Publications page to see what students have told us is important. The Student Voice Report is a great place to start.
  • Speak to other students! Find out what the big issues are, and talk about why you think they're important. This is a great way to be relatable to your peers.

It doesn't need to be long, and with a 100 word limit for each question being concise is key! Don't think of your application as a long Christmas list of ideas. Treat it more as a platform for communicating your values, ideas and approach to the role.

The types of ideas you may want to consider:

  • Greater resources and awareness of a particular issue (i.e. spiking, mental health, housing)
  • Improvements to existing resources and services
  • Support for the needs/rights of a particular group of students (mature students, postgrads, apprenticeship students)
  • Your approach to the role - want a new way of listening to students' concerns? Think SU Democracy needs a shake-up?

3. What skills and experience do you have that would make you a good Officer?

 

This is your chance to gain credibility with voters by telling them about the responsibilities you've had in the past. You could mention:

  • Experience as a Course Rep, Society Committee member, or other Students' Union role
  • Volunteering roles you've held in the past
  • Projects you've worked on in a job, volunteering role, or in your studies

You should try and mention how these experiences will enable you to be effective as an Officer, or how they show voters that you can be trusted with responsibility.

Slogan (optional, but recommended!)

You can also add a slogan which will be displayed alongside your name to students on the voting page. This isn't compulsory, but it's a great opportunity to add something memorable to your profile!

A slogan is a short and catchy message that should be memorable to students.

It can reflect your values and priorities, but it also doesn't need to be too serious - some of the best campaign slogans are a pun or a rhyme. You could include it your other campaign material as well to ensure it sticks!

Here are some example slogans that candidates in other SU Elections have used:

  • Together We Khan! - NUS Elections, 2020: Sarah Khan for VP Welfare and Liberation
  • Go With Joe - Queen Mary SU: Union Council Chairperson Joe Vension
  • Put the Ed in Education - Sheffield SU: Ed for Education Officer
  • Access Grows with Lily Rose - Cambridge SU, 2019: Access Officer, Lily Rose
  • Change is Pheasible - Nottingham SU: Joe Pheasey for SU President
  • Jos Do It - Nottingham SU: Josie for Sports Officer
  • Let's get GROOBY - Leeds Trinity SU: Chelsey Grooby, for SU President

Once you've thought out your responses to the three questions, and have come up with a good slogan, you're ready to fill out your application