Whether you are just starting out or looking to further your career in communications, there is a huge range of exciting job opportunities and options open to you.
From public relations to content management and even positions that require more brand-focused, design or even editorial skills, a career in communications requires you to have a whole host of talents under your belt—and be prepared to learn new skills on a daily basis.
Starting out in communications can be tough, as this is a competitive market to enter. Long hours at the office, and even the fact that you may be required to work on weekends aside, congratulations for choosing to work in such a fast-paced and dynamic job market!
Here are three tips to get off on the right foot:
Do your homework
As with any career change, or when you are looking to break into a different sector, its vital that you do your research first, just to make sure that this is truly the field that you want to work in. It’s worth bearing in mind that a career in communications will require you to work varied hours, and be prepared to step in, just in case a crisis unfolds.
That being said, it’s also incredibly rewarding and no day will be the same. You can begin by checking online forums or even visiting your local library to gain a deeper understanding of exactly which area of communications is of interest. It’s also crucial that you research what sort of salary that you can ask for and sites such as highersalary.com can help you to get a better understanding of what your skills are worth.
Prepare a portfolio
Once you’ve done your homework and checked out the options open to you, it’s time to prepare your portfolio and skills. Any individual looking to work in communications should have a graphic design or writing portfolio on hand to show any new employers when applying for the position or during the interview.
Plus, preparing a portfolio is a great way for you to hone your techniques and experiment and develop your writing style. Therefore, if you are looking to break into communications, then get creative and be prepared.
Get ready for interview
Once you’ve done your research and prepared yourself, it’s time to get ready in case you get called for the all-important interview.
Remember, no interview for this sector will ever be the same as some companies may have a three-step process or even ask you to complete a writing or competency test first. Do prepare your answers, and feel confident in your abilities. You need to be prepared to ‘sell’ your talents and truly shine as a Communications professional.
If you are looking to break into the communications sector or trying to make a career change, then you need to get ready for a change of pace in what is a truly rewarding sector. Make sure that you do research to choose the right position for you, and prepare a portfolio of work to bring with you to interview.
