Ever wanted to know how to land your dream job as a communications manager? Well, you’re in luck. I am going to share with you some of the tips and tricks that have helped me find success in my career.
You don’t have to be a communications manager or even be working in marketing or advertising to take advantage of these tips!
Decide If A Career In Communications Is Right For You
Think about what it’s like to work in this field. What does a typical day look like? Is the work environment collaborative? Do you need to be outgoing and friendly with people, or can you thrive in a more quiet setting? Are there opportunities for advancement?
If you have a passion for communications and marketing, then this might be the career path for you!
Understand What An Entry-Level Job Entails
Many people think that an entry-level communications manager position is just a stepping stone to the top of their field, but the reality is much different.
The vast majority of job postings (94 percent) are actually looking for someone with several years’ experience, so it’s important to understand what an entry-level job entails before applying.
Entry level means you’re learning and growing on the job. You won’t be managing any teams yet or working directly with clients;
Instead, your day will be filled with reading memos and reports from coworkers as well as creating your own copy for internal use or emails and social media posts that reflect the brand identity of your company.
Earn A Program Degree In Communications
You can earn a programming degree in communications online. A program degree is awarded to students who complete an entire series of courses, as opposed to earning separate bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
A communications program usually includes courses that focus on writing and speaking, media relations, marketing, public relations, and advertising. You’ll also learn how to use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Some programs may require you to take classes in conflict resolution or ethics if they’re not part of the core curriculum already offered by your school (see Step 1).
Programs often take about two years to complete the same amount of time it takes for a bachelor’s degree student at many schools and can be finished faster if you’re able but willing to spend extra hours studying after work or school hours each week.
Do Your Research About The Industry
First, you need to know your industry and its trends. You should understand how the communications role is changing and evolving in your company, as well as how it interacts with other departments like marketing, sales and strategy.
You’ll also want to find out what types of skills are required for success in this job.
Next, think about your career goals: What do you want from this position? Is it to earn more money? Gain more responsibility? Work on interesting projects? Or maybe all three? The answers will help inform your job search strategy down the road.
Tailor Your Resume And Cover Letter To The Job Description
Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job description. In order to land an interview, it’s essential that you sell yourself by highlighting the skills and experience that match the job description.
Make sure you address who is doing the hiring (an agency chief communications officer, for example) and keep it short having a one-page resume is recommended.
If you have no idea what kind of job you want yet, we recommend using our Guide To Finding A Job as inspiration for finding something in communications or public relations (because why not?).
Network And Attend Industry Conferences
One of the most important skills you can have as a communications manager is networking. It’s not only an essential skill, but also one that can be learned.
Networking is a key part of the job, and it’s a great way to get your name out there in your industry.
When companies need someone with experience in communications management, they’ll want to know who among their peers has proven themselves capable and trustworthy over time.
That means making sure that your candidacy is known by those who matter most: prospective employers!
Networking events are also an excellent opportunity for learning more about how different organizations operate and why they do things the way they do them.
You may find that some of these practices lend themselves more easily than others when applied within your organization; perhaps some aspects could even be modified for greater efficiency.
Or effectiveness if adapted properly into policy manuals on how employees should behave professionally both online and offline (this would include avoiding certain language or slang terms).
Update Your Portfolio Regularly
Your portfolio should be updated regularly, and you should make it easy for potential employers to navigate. You want your portfolio to showcase the best of your work, not just what’s still relevant today so update when appropriate.
If something was great when you did it three years ago, but now it seems outdated or incomplete (or both), take it out. A fresh profile is more likely to yield results than one that’s out of date or repetitive.
Additionally, make sure your portfolio showcases not only what you’ve done but also how well-rounded your skills are.
For example: if the job post asks for a candidate who can write press releases and moderate social media conversations about current events in politics don’t just show off an old piece from last year’s elections!
Show off some examples that show how well versed in current affairs you are as well as proof that editing isn’t outside of your wheelhouse either — like maybe some recent tweets from politicians’ accounts?
Discover Your Voice And Showcase It On Social Media
You should know your audience and message. You have to know what you want to say, and why you’re saying it.
You need to figure out who you are as a writer, especially in the social media space where everyone is trying to get their voice heard over the noise of everyone else.
This isn’t just about writing good copy; it’s about understanding what makes your brand stand out from others in the same market or industry.
That way, when you put yourself out there as an expert on social media communications management, people will listen because they trust that you know what you are talking about because they know who YOU are!
Follow The Trends In Marketing Communications
Staying up to date with the latest trends in marketing communications can be a challenge. The field moves so quickly that it’s difficult to keep up with everything that is going on, especially if you’re new to the industry.
It’s important, however, because the slightest shift in what your audience wants or expects from your brand can make all the difference between success and failure. While some trends are fleeting (think: Vine), others last for years (think: social media).
If you’re looking for a job as communications manager at a company in this field, then knowing how best to stay informed is critical for landing your dream job and getting ahead at work once you do land it!
So how do you stay informed about marketing communications? It depends on what kind of company you’re working for or want to work for but here are some ideas:
Create A Plan To Achieve Your Dream Job
- Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses.
- Set goals for yourself that are measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. You can set these goals in terms of what you want to achieve in the next one year, or five years from now.
- Ask for help when necessary; there is no shame in admitting that you need extra support during this time of transition.
If someone offers advice on how they landed their dream job, listen carefully! Don’t be afraid to reach out via LinkedIn as well; we’ve all been there before (and have made some great friends along the way).
Take advantage of opportunities offered by family members and friends who may know someone working at one of your target companies you never know when those connections will come in handy later down the line!
Also consider volunteering at events that attract potential employers; don’t forget about networking events held by professional organizations near where you live or work either!
Learn By Doing
The best way to learn is by doing. You might think that this means you need to jump into a job where your only experience is working at Starbucks or as a telemarketer, but I don’t mean that.
Instead, I mean that the most effective way for you to learn about communications management is through hands-on experience, whether you’re getting paid for it or not.
Learn from your mistakes and failures they’re valuable teaching moments! Learn how things should be done by paying attention when they work well in other organizations;
Then try incorporating those strategies into your work environment (and if they don’t work there either, figure out why).
Finally, ask others what they’ve learned throughout their careers working in this field; chances are they’ll be happy to share their wisdom with someone who’s just starting!
Don’t Underestimate The Importance Of Being Organized
- You should be organized.
- Being organized is a skill that you can develop and hone over time. If you’re not an especially organized person, don’t worry you can still become one! There are ways to get more organized without feeling like it’s taking over your life.
- Organizing yourself will help keep you from wasting time and energy on things that aren’t important or productive for the job search process.
You’ll have more time for activities like networking or going to interviews because being organized means knowing what needs to be done when, how often, and how best to do it based on the type of work environment at each company where you apply.
The Communications Industry Is Highly Competitive
You may be well on your way to landing the perfect job, but keep in mind that this is a highly competitive field. To get ahead and land your dream job as communications manager, you need to make sure that your resume, cover letter and interview skills are top notch.
If you’re looking for a new position in communications management, there are plenty of reasons why this industry could be perfect for you. It offers competitive salaries and lots of opportunities for advancement plus it’s growing rapidly!
Conclusion
When it comes to landing your dream job, you have to be proactive. It’s important that you follow up with the hiring manager and provide them with valuable information about yourself and your level of interest in the position.
The communications industry is constantly changing and evolving, so keep up on trends by attending conferences or reading industry publications. Also, don’t forget that having strong organizational skills will serve any communications professional well!
