Starting out in communications and advocacy

Forging a career in communications and advocacy is an exciting prospect, but from where does the road to success start?

It is important to demonstrate passion, enthusiasm and determination, however, in such a busy and competitive industry cutting through the noise is essential. There are several ways you can do this…

While you are busy swotting up on the industry and liaising regularly with recruiters, make sure you don’t forget to visit recognised job sites. Some of our favourites include: LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, Guardian Jobs, PR Week and Gorkana. While cold searching can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, sites such as LinkedIn offer you the chance to follow companies and individuals who may be looking for potential employees.

The key element to building a successful career in communications is, you guessed it, communication. Make sure you can talk the talk before you start reaching out to industry professionals. Stay informed by reading trade publications such as: In-house communications magazine CorpComms Magazine, public relations editorial Influence Magazine, corporate specialists Communicate Magazine and the PR professionals’ hub PRmoment.

Industry favourites, such as PR Week, CIPR and The Guardian, all offer interesting insights on building your career, which we would like to share:

PR Week
CIPR
The Guardian
You can also sign up to company newsletters and stay ahead of the curve on social media by following key influencers.

PR Week has a comprehensive list of influencers, here.

Also remember that many companies specialise in specific areas of communication and want to hire someone with expertise in their chosen field. This means identifying which area you would like to work in and refining your knowledge accordingly. Maybe you’d like to work in leisure and travel, health and social care, or perhaps public sector and government? Finding your passion and becoming an industry expert is guaranteed to give you the edge.

Another route into the busy, expanding world of communications is to secure an internship at your desired company, or sign up to a professional course. This can be a great way to expand upon your skillset and stand out from the crowd, and it isn’t only an option for beginners. It can also serve as a valuable way to side step from one profession into another. Many journalists have left behind the bustling newsroom in favour of a career in PR, where they can utilise their contacts and put their way with words to good use.

PRCA and CIPR are a good place to start for someone who is looking to intern or get their feet off the ground via a professional course.

Amidst your researching, studying and networking, it is important to remember the most obvious route into employment; recruitment agencies. Not only will they give you tips on how to approach prospective employers, but they will also have key contacts in the business who could help kick-start your career. Plus, they could have the ideal role already listed on their books, ready for the taking. Ellwood Atfield has a range of senior level jobs currently available here. For entry level roles we suggest reaching out to a number of agencies who specialise in communications. Major Players, Aspire, Prospectus, Instant Impact, and Handle all offer a selection of jobs across Digital Communications, Public Affairs and PR, to name a few.

Entrepreneurial thinking and self-promotion are an integral element to every job search. Manage your digital profile and build your online presence across social media.

We hope that you have found our suggestions and tips useful. Do not hesitate to get in touch for further advice. And finally, good luck with your job search…