Anyone in pursuit of a communications job will have to battle fierce competition in the job market. Careers in communications are available in all types of industries, but applicants who want to be seriously considered for openings will need to have the right personality as well as the right level of experience and education. Anyone who is asking how they can go about landing a role in communications should reference the steps below:
Step 1: Getting an Undergraduate Degree
The very first step to getting into communications and having any type of job prospects would be to complete at least a 4-year degree program. There are a few routes that students who want to work in the field can focus on, but the best path would be to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor is a more specific area of study. Even entry-level PR jobs will require that applicants have a 4-year education.
Related: Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs
Step 2: Try to Land an Internship
Perhaps the best way for new graduates to get some skin in the game is for them to learn the skills that are just impossible to teach in a classroom setting. Practical skills are what most new graduates are missing. Completing an internship will give prospective job seekers the perfect amount of on-the-job experience so they don’t feel lost when the time comes to find a real career.
Step 3: Decide on an Agency or In-House Position
Typically, undergrad students and graduates will find internship opportunities available with larger PR firms and agencies. Since agencies often have more projects for different clients, more internships are offered in these settings. After completing an internship, job seekers will need to decide if working in-house or working in an agency is ideal for them.
Step 4: Show Off Technical Skills
Anyone who didn’t land an internship or who was not offered a position after the internship was complete will need to start freshening up their resume to show off the skills that communications job recruiters want to see. It’s best for applicants to pinpoint the type of industry they would like to apply for positions in before vamping their resume.
After doing this, attaining some technical skill and knowledge on how the industry works can give them an edge over other entry-level applicants. A resume is extremely important for a communications major. It’s like a portfolio for them to show off their writing skills and their marketability. Time should be spent on the format and the wording.
Step 5: Interview Prep
Some individuals get extremely nervous when they are sitting with hiring managers and recruiters. Since communications careers are a lot about how people interact with one about and how messages are conveyed, job seekers must get the nerves and jitters out before sitting down for an interview. The easiest way for applicants to get comfortable is to rehearse and review the company’s website for information that can be used to pose questions and shape answers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook in fields like Public Relations is projected to grow by nine percent. Because growth is reported at a steady rate, it’s important for applicants to have experience and a degree to land a good communications job.