Candidate FAQ's
What support is there once you are elected?
One of the great parts of becoming a Student Officer is the amount of support available to you.
The Guild has over 70 full-time staff on hand to make sure you have the resources and backing needed to bring your manifesto to life.
We run a full Induction programme, to equip you with all the skills you need for the year.
Would I be able do the role around caring responsibilities?
We know that coming to university can be particularly challenging if you’re a parent or carer.
Our staff team are on hand during elections to support you and ensure that you can run your campaign around any caring responsibilities.
If you want to have a chat about how this role could work for you, please get in touch: democracy@liverpool.ac.uk.
There is information on widening participation and the support available from the University for carers.
What’s a manifesto + what do I write in it?
Your manifesto is a statement that tells people why you’re best for the role and what you hope to do if elected. Every candidate has to submit a 300-word manifesto when standing.
This is a strict word limit - any words over that limit will be cut off.
We recommend including 3 things you would you do if elected (commitments).
- Don't overpromise: be specific and realistic with your promises
- Think about your values and what drives you as a person
- Browse Change It + other SU websites to get a feel for topical issues
- Have an identity: what makes you unique?
- Don’t over-complicate it: use straightforward, engaging language
- Know you audience: what kind of voters are you trying to appeal to?
What campaign materials can I get?
You will be given a free candidate pack of campaigning resources with everything you need to run an election campaign. We’ll equip you with the skills you need to create the designs for: t-shirts, posters, flyers and more. We’ll give you all the specifics you need to know once you’re a candidate.
We believe that elections are for everyone, making sure everybody has an equal opportunity to take part; this including limiting how much of your own money you can spend on your campaign (we’ll give you all the specifics on this once you’re an official candidate!)
Do I need a campaign team?
Your campaign team could be a group of your friends who have committed to helping you campaign. They might talk to students on your behalf, help put up posters or create social media content.
You do not need a campaign team to win the election; many past candidates have run successful campaigns on their own!
Can I run a campaign around my studies?
Our staff are here to support you throughout the election period; you can always come and chat to us if you are struggling or need support.
It’s best to try and get any coursework deadlines out of the way before vote week but know this isn’t always possible.
You can speak to your supervisor for support too. We offer 121s for candidates to help you through any questions or concerns.
Do I have a chance of being elected?
Anyone can win the election, no matter their experience! For many candidates this is the first time they have run a campaign. Our staff team are on hand to support you every step of the way; providing training, support and advice to see you through.
There is no interview and no experience required for the role. We believe that every student has the potential and the qualities to be a great Student Officer.
Being a student yourself, understanding other students’ experiences and having a desire to support them is all you need to do the role.