As a director of communications, articulating the vast array of your strategic communication skills concisely on a resume can be a daunting challenge. Our expert guide offers step-by-step assistance to ensure this extensive experience is represented powerfully and succinctly, helping you make a memorable impact on potential employers.
- Incorporate director of communications job advert keywords into key sections of your resume, such as the summary, header, and experience sections;
- Quantify your experience using achievements, certificates, and more in various director of communications resume sections;
- Apply practical insights from real-life director of communications resume examples to enhance your own profile;
- Choose the most effective director of communications resume format to succeed in any evaluation process.
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The ultimate formula for your director of communications resume format
Our best advice on how to style your director of communications resume is this - first, take the time to study the job advert requirements.
The resume format you select should ultimately help you better align how your experience matches the specific role.
There are four crucial elements you need to thus take into consideration:
- How you present your experience. If you happen to have plenty of relevant expertise, select the reverse-chronological resume format to organize your experience by dates, starting with the latest.
- Don't go over the top with writing your resume. Instead, stick with a maximum of two-page format to feature what matters most about your profile.
- Headers aren't just for "decoration". The header of your resume helps recruiters allocate your contact details, portfolio, and so much more.
- The PDF format rules. It's the most common practice to submit your director of communications resume as a PDF so that your resume doesn't lose its layout. However, make sure the read the job well - in some instances, they might require a doc file.
Different markets have specific resume styles – a Canadian resume, for instance, may require a different approach.
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PRO TIP
List all your relevant higher education degrees within your resume in reverse chronological order (starting with the latest). There are cases when your PhD in a particular field could help you stand apart from other candidates.
Recruiters' preferred director of communications resume sections:
- A header with relevant contact information and headline, listing your current job title
- A resume summary or objective pinpointing what is most impressive about your expertise (that aligns with the role)
- An experience section highlighting the specifics of your responsibilities and achievements
- A skills sidebar to intertwine job advert keywords with your unique talents
- An education and certifications sections to serve as further accreditation to your professional experience
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Strategic Development and Execution of Communication Plans
- Media Relations and Brand Messaging Expertise
- Crisis Communication and Issues Management Experience
- Strong Leadership Skills and Team Management
- Measurable Success in Public Relations and Corporate Communications
The director of communications resume experience section: a roadmap to your expertise
The resume experience section provides you with an opportunity to tell your professional narrative.
Recruiters, reading between the lines of your resume, use the experience section to better understand your unique skill set, accomplishments, and what unique value you bring about.
Discover five quick steps on how to write your experience section:
- Curate only relevant experience items to the role and include the company, description, and dates; all followed by up to six bullets per experience item;
- Each experience item should feature tangible results of your actions - if you can include a number or percent, this will further highlight your aptitude;
- If you've received any managerial or customer feedback, use short excerpts of it as further social proof of your technical or people skills;
- Make sure you're using the appropriate verb tense when listing your responsibilities;
- Within the description for each role, you could summarize your most noteworthy and relevant achievements.
Now, take note of how a real-world director of communications professional received opportunities at industry leaders with these resume experience sections:
- Spearheaded a comprehensive re-branding initiative, leading to a 24% increase in brand recognition in targeted demographic segments.
- Managed crisis communications during sensitive events, successfully maintaining the company's positive public image amid potential reputation threats.
- Implemented a data-driven social media strategy that enhanced customer engagement by 40% and grew followers across platforms by an average of 70%.
- Oversaw internal communications resulting in a 30% improvement in employee satisfaction as measured by annual surveys.
- Directed the development of an influencer marketing program that increased online sales by 35% within the first year of implementation.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a global product campaign, leading to a 50% uptick in international market penetration.
- Orchestrated the revamp of the corporate website and content marketing materials, enhancing the user experience and doubling online traffic.
- Negotiated with media outlets for improved advertising rates and placements, saving the company an average of 20% on marketing expenses annually.
- Managed a team of 15 communications specialists and guided the development of training programs to enhance team productivity and skills.
- Developed an award-winning corporate social responsibility program that increased company recognition in industry publications and media.
- Launched a series of webinars and workshops that positioned the company as a thought leader, resulting in a 25% increase in B2B leads.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to articulate the corporate narrative for analyst briefings, earning top-tier placements in influential reports.
- Introduced a new analytics framework for monitoring media coverage which allowed for real-time strategy adjustments to public relations campaigns.
- Led the development and launch of a multilingual press hub that expanded the company’s reach to non-English speaking markets.
- Chaired the cross-departmental task force for the integration of communications after a major merger, ensuring brand continuity and messaging alignment.
- Curated and managed the CEO’s personal brand on social media, leading to a 3x increase in engagement with industry leaders and media.
- Pioneered the use of virtual press conferences that enhanced audience reach by 75% and significantly reduced event costs.
- Coordinated with governmental affairs teams to develop messaging that aligned with regulatory considerations, avoiding potential legal entanglements.
- Revitalized the employee newsletter to include multimedia content, achieving a 60% boost in readership and employee interaction.
- Masterminded the crisis management plan for a high-profile data breach, mitigating negative press and restoring investor confidence.
- Facilitated a partner relations program with industry influencers, leading to co-branded ventures and a subsequent 20% bump in shared audiences.
- Executed a global communication strategy that synchronized messaging across 10 international subsidiaries, solidifying the corporate brand identity.
- Established a media training program for company executives which led to more effective public appearances and interviews.
- Initiated an employee advocacy program on social media that drove organic reach up by 150%, empowering brand ambassadors from within.
- Managed the transition of all corporate communications to digital platforms, resulting in a 45% reduction in print and distribution costs.
- Executed a digital content strategy that increased web engagement metrics by over 60% within the first six months.
- Developed a comprehensive reputation management process that effectively neutralized negative online incidents and increased positive sentiment.
- Implemented an integrated marketing and communications strategy which aligned with the company's sustainability goals, attracting a new eco-conscious customer base.
- Launched a series of digital storytelling initiatives that humanized the brand and led to a 35% increase in time spent on the company website.
- Established a ‘Rapid Response’ media team that decreased response time to media inquiries by 50%, enhancing the brand's reputation for transparency and accessibility.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Highlight the percentage growth of the company's social media following under your direction.
- Mention the number of successful PR campaigns managed and their reach in terms of audience engagement.
- Detail the exact budget you've overseen for communications strategies and how you optimized it for ROI.
- Include the number of press releases and content pieces you've crafted, indicating their impact on brand visibility.
- Enumerate the measurable improvements in internal communication, such as survey scores or employee engagement rates.
- Discuss the volume of crisis communications handled, focusing on the mitigation of potential negative impacts.
- Quantify the efficiency improvements in your team's workflow or content production process.
- Report the number of key stakeholder relationships you've developed and maintained, demonstrating networking skills.
Action verbs for your director of communications resume
Writing your director of communications experience section without any real-world experience
Professionals, lacking experience, here's how to kick-start your director of communications career:
- Substitute experience with relevant knowledge and skills, vital for the director of communications role
- Highlight any relevant certifications and education - to showcase that you have the relevant technical training for the job
- Definitely include a professional portfolio of your work so far that could include university projects or ones you've done in your free time
- Have a big focus on your transferable skills to answer what further value you'd bring about as a candidate for the director of communications job
- Include an objective to highlight how you see your professional growth, as part of the company
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PRO TIP
If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
Creating your director of communications resume skills section: balancing hard skills and soft skills
Recruiters hiring for director of communications roles are always keen on hiring candidates with relevant technical and people talents. Hard skills or technical ones are quite beneficial for the industry - as they refer to your competency with particular software and technologies. Meanwhile, your soft (or people) skills are quite crucial to yours and the company's professional growth as they detail how you'd cooperate and interact in your potential environment. Here's how to describe your hard and soft skill set in your director of communications resume:
- Consider what the key job requirements are and list those towards the top of your skills section.
- Think of individual, specific skills that help you stand out amongst competitors, and detail how they've helped you succeed in the past.
- Look to the future of the industry and list all software/technologies which are forward-facing.
- Create a separate, technical skills section to supplement your experience and further align with the director of communications job advert. Find the perfect balance between your resume hard and soft skills with our two lists.
Top skills for your director of communications resume:
Public Relations Management
Social Media Strategy
Content Management Systems (CMS)
Media Relations
Crisis Communication Tools
Email Marketing Software
Graphic Design Software
Analytics and Reporting Tools
Project Management Software
Video Production Tools
Leadership
Strategic Thinking
Excellent Written Communication
Public Speaking
Interpersonal Skills
Creativity
Adaptability
Team Collaboration
Problem Solving
Conflict Resolution
PRO TIP
If you happen to have plenty of certificates, select the ones that are most applicable and sought-after across the industry. Organize them by relevance to the role you're applying for.
Discover the perfect certification and education to list on your director of communications resume
Value the insights your resume education section offers. It can shed light on various proficiencies and experiences tailored for the job.
- Add only college or university degrees, stating the institution and duration.
- If you're nearing the end of your degree, note your graduation date.
- Weigh the pros and cons of including unrelated degrees - it might not be your best choice with so little space on your resume.
- Talk about your educational achievements if they amplify your relevant experience.
There are so many certificates you can list on your resume.
Just which ones should make the cut?
- List your prominent higher education degree in a separate box, alongside the name of the institute you've obtained it from and your graduation dates
- Curate only relevant certificates that support your expertise, hard skills, and soft skills
- Certificates that are more niche (and rare) within the industry could be listed closer to the top. Also, this space could be dedicated to more recent certifications you've attained
- Add a description to your certificates or education, only if you deem this could further enhance your chances of showcasing your unique skill set
When listing your certificates, remember that it isn't a case of "the more, the merrier", but rather "the more applicable they are to the industry, the better".
Recruiters have hinted that these are some of the most in-demand certificates for director of communications roles across the industry:
The top 5 certifications for your director of communications resume:
- Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) - Global Communication Certification Council
- Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) - International Association of Business Communicators
- Accredited in Public Relations (APR) - Public Relations Society of America
- Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC) - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chapters/ Affiliates
- Digital Marketing Expert (DME) - Chief Internet Marketer
PRO TIP
If you're in the process of obtaining your certificate or degree, list the expected date you're supposed to graduate or be certified.
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Adding a summary or objective to your director of communications resume
One of the most crucial elements of your professional presentation is your resume's top one-third. This most often includes:
- Either a resume summary - your career highlights at a glance. Select the summary if you have plenty of relevant experience (and achievements), you'd like recruiters to remember about your application.
- Or, a resume objective - to showcase your determination for growth. The perfect choice for candidates with less experience, who are looking to grow their career in the field.
If you want to go above and beyond with your director of communications resume summary or resume objective, make sure to answer precisely why recruiters need to hire you. What is the additional value you'd provide to the company or organization? Now here are examples from real-life director of communications professionals, whose resumes have helped them land their dream jobs:
Resume summaries for a director of communications job
- Seasoned Communicator with 12 years of experience, specializing in corporate branding and strategic messaging at global tech firms. Sculpted a comprehensive public relations campaign that elevated a startup's profile, leading to a successful IPO. Expert in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences and in wielding social media to maximize brand engagement.
- Former non-profit Program Director with 10 years in organizational leadership, now pivoting to communications. Drove fundraising efforts through targeted messaging, resulting in a 40% increase in donor contributions. Adept at translating mission-driven goals into powerful stories, poised to bring a fresh perspective to corporate communication strategies.
- Accomplished Journalist and Editor with over 15 years shaping public opinion through evocative storytelling, transitioning to a corporate communications environment. Captured and shared human-centric narratives during historic events, which were syndicated across top-tier media outlets. Excels in identifying and amplifying voices that foster community and organizational growth.
- Driven communications strategists, brandishing 18 years in the media industry, with a proven record of designing and executing effective communication strategies. Spearheaded a rebranding initiative for a nationwide retail chain that surged market position. Proficiency in data analytics and multimedia platforms positions me to craft influential content that elevates brand reputation.
- As a recent graduate with a Master’s in Communications, I am eager to apply my comprehensive understanding of communication theories and practices. With extensive academic projects, I have honed my skills in digital content creation, market analysis, and strategic planning. Passionate about leveraging my fresh knowledge and innovative approaches to contribute to a dynamic communications team.
- Eager to transition from a successful career in sales management to corporate communications, bringing over a decade of experience in team leadership and stakeholder relations. Skilled at negotiation and persuasive presentations, aiming to utilize these talents in shaping compelling organization narratives and fostering robust media relations.
Four more sections for your director of communications resume
Your director of communications resume can be supplemented with other sections to highlight both your personality and efforts in the industry. Use the ones you deem most relevant to your experience (and the role):
- Awards - to celebrate your success;
- Interests - to detail what you're passionate about outside of work (e.g. music, literature, etc.);
- Publications - to show your footprint in the wider community;
- Projects - to pinpoint noteworthy achievements, potentially even outside of work.
Key takeaways
- The logic of your resume presentation should follow your career highlights and alignment with the role;
- Curate information within different sections (e.g. summary, experience, etc.) that helps highlight your strengths;
- Exclude from your resume irrelevant experience items - that way you'd ensure it stays no longer than two pages and is easy to read;
- Dedicate space within the summary, experience, and/or achievements to highlight precisely why you're the best candidate for the role via your previous success;
- Both your technical and people capabilities should also play a crucial role in building up your director of communications application. Prove your skill set in various resume sections.
