Communications CV Example
Achieving success with your communications professional applications requires a strong, compelling CV that gives your skills and career achievements a chance to shine. It's the mention of key responsibilities from your career, such as managing media relations and monitoring social media that will show employers you're a good fit for the role. In this guide, we'll equip you with all the key tips and advice you'll need to craft a communications CV that sets you up for success in your job applications.
If you write a communications CV that's more professional and engaging, it will help you progress through the ATS screening stage. Ultimately, it will also give you the best chance to impress the hiring manager, which will boost your prospects of reaching the interview stage. Now let’s explore the main sections of a CV and see how to structure each one for maximum impact.
Main sections of a communications CV
Your communications CV strategy will depend on various factors, including your previous experience, your seniority and the details listed in the job description.
As a junior candidate, you might lack a wealth of work experience, so you'll want to show the employer you have the skills necessary for the job through other sections. Therefore, if you're just starting out in your career, a functional, or skills-based, CV format might be the best option for you. This structure emphasises your skills and education sections over your work experience. You can also draw on optional sections such as volunteering, certifications and training and hobbies and interests to showcase your skills.
If you've built up some work experience in relevant roles or industry sectors, you'll want to choose a CV format that showcases your career trajectory. Hiring managers will be keen to see how you've used your skills to create positive results for employers in previous roles. In this scenario, a reverse-chronological CV format is usually the most effective choice. Focus on your most recent and relevant previous roles and use bullet points to show your key skills and achievements, offering evidence that showcases your impact.
As an executive or senior-level candidate, it's critical to focus primarily on work experience in your CV. This is because employers will be expecting candidates to have a wealth of relevant experience, and to have reached a prominent position within the industry. Therefore, you'll want to create a detailed, reverse-chronological CV that shows the depth and extent of your work experience. You might also include optional sections, such as awards, publications or professional memberships.
However, no matter where you are in your career, a communications CV must present a clear, compelling narrative of your professional journey. To help you build that story, we’ll now break down the document piece-by-piece—from the initial contact header to your most significant career milestones.
CV Header
Kick off your communications CV with a header listing the essential contact information such as your name, email address, phone number and location. You don't typically need to include your full address. Incorporate design elements that set the tone and design language of your document. If you have a LinkedIn profile, consider adding a URL to this in your header, to help the reader easily find more information on your career and credentials.
For UK applications, it's not usually advisable to include a personal photo or any other personal details, such as your age, gender, nationality or ethnicity. These can risk introducing bias to the decision-making process and are discouraged under the terms of the Equality Act 2010.
Michael Long
michael-long@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
London
linkedin․com/in/michael–long–123
CV Summary or Objective
Under your header, write a brief CV summary or CV objective, outlining a few of your key skills, qualities and achievements. This short paragraph can help employers to quickly assess your suitability for the role, setting the tone for your communications CV. A CV summary focuses on your key skills and achievements, while a CV objective provides an alternative approach, showcasing your career ambitions and how the role fits with these. This makes a CV objective ideal for entry-level candidates.
For either a CV summary or an objective, aim for a length of two or three sentences. Showcase a few key skills, personal qualities and career achievements or ambitions, always reviewing the job description as you write, to show how you fulfil the requirements of the role.
An effective CV summary will focus on a few of the key skills required for the role and show how you've put them to good use in your career to date. You'll want to give the reader a good impression of your unique qualities and briefly provide evidence of their impact in previous roles. Find an example below of a positive communications CV summary, characterised by evidence to support your claims and well-structured, easy-to-read sentences.
Strong example:
Communications manager with five years’ experience and a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications. Led a rebranding campaign that increased engagement by 45%. Expert in stakeholder relations, content strategy.
Weak example:
Enthusiastic communications professional with a BA in Media and Communications and broad experience in content development and stakeholder engagement, aiming to leverage versatile skills within a collaborative team environment.
See above for an example of an ineffective summary, with subtle differences leading to a reduction of impact. Your summary could miss the mark if it's too generic and doesn't describe unique personal qualities and strengths. It might also be vague, use long, unstructured sentences, lack quantifiable evidence of your impact, or not be tailored to the job description.
Work Experience
A CV's work experience section is usually its most important element. Employers will want to see how you've developed relevant skills in previous roles, and how you've put them to good use in successful projects and career achievements. Always tailor this section of your CV, focusing on keywords and phrases that match the job description, so employers can assess how you might put the same skills and qualities to good use in the future.
This section should contain a list of your most relevant previous jobs in the last 10 or 15 years. Add the job title, the name of the employer, its location and your dates of employment. Include detail in bullet points, outlining the skills you used in the role and the impact they made.
The difference between an average CV work experience section and an outstanding one is the use of action verbs and quantifiable evidence. You'll want to show how your actions led to measurable positive outcomes for employers, and indicate a progression in your skills throughout your career. See below for an example of a strong work experience section for a communications CV.
Strong example:
Communications Manager, January 2023 - Present
Crestpoint Media Ltd, Manchester
- Led cross-functional team to launch global social media strategy, increasing engagement by 50% across all channels.
- Secured media coverage in The Guardian and BBC, boosting brand visibility by 60% within six months.
- Developed crisis communication plan reducing negative mentions by 70% and protecting corporate reputation under tight deadlines.
Weak example:
Communications Manager, January 2023 - Present
Crestpoint Media Ltd, Manchester
- Managed internal and external communications across various channels to maintain consistent brand messaging.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to support marketing initiatives and ensure smooth project delivery.
- Developed communication strategies to enhance stakeholder engagement and improve corporate visibility.
Above you can see an example of what not to do with your communications CV work experience section. A less-engaging work experience section might include irrelevant roles or jobs from a long time ago, and generic information that fails to address the requirements of the job description. It could also lack evidence to support the claims made in the bullet points.
Education and Qualifications
Your education section is the chance to list your most recent and highest qualifications, and anything that's relevant or required for the role.
Communications professional jobs tend to require a relevant university degree just to be eligible for the role, so you'll want to showcase this in your CV. If you have a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications or another related degree that makes you an eligible candidate for the position, add it to your CV. You could also add other degrees or qualifications that highlight your key skills, like SEO analysis techniques or media relations strategy.
Your education section should contain only the qualifications that you consider most relevant to the role. List them in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent and working back from there. For each entry into your education section, add the qualification name and level, the institution or awarding body, its location and your dates of study or graduation. For extra emphasis on your education section, include bullet points showcasing projects you worked on, modules you studied, awards you won or societies you participated in, if they help you to prove you're a suitable candidate.
Specialist licences or certifications can also be a valuable addition to your CV's education section. If these are essential for the job and are referenced in the job description, it's a good idea to include them here rather than further down your CV. Include any expiration or renewal dates for certifications, if applicable.
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, 2018 - 2021
City, University of London, London
Skills
In your CV skills section, include a combination of the key hard and soft skills you possess, that make you a suitable candidate for the position. Make sure your skills list reflects the requirements specified in the job description, and include a few skills that are unique to you, and help set you apart from the pack. For a communications CV, you'll want to focus on the most relevant skills for the role that match your skill set, including stakeholder management and social media management, to catch the reader's attention and show you're qualified for the communications professional position.
Hard Skills
Hard skills are the specialist technical skills that are essential for carrying out the duties of the role. They might be developed through study, on-the-job training or experience in the industry, and some hard skills may require a licence or certification. For communications professional roles, hard skills from your career experience, such as proficiency with CMS platforms, and SEO analysis techniques tend to be prioritised by employers and recruiters. Review the job description, and include four or five key hard skills in your CV that show employers you're capable of completing the key duties of the role.
You'll want to include a list of hard skills that closely matches the skills listed as 'essential' or 'desirable' in the job description, while also reflecting your own strongest technical skills.
Take a look below to see the type of skills that are commonly listed in a communications CV hard skills section:
- Media relations strategy
- Crisis communication planning
- Social media management
Soft Skills
In your soft skills list, add any personal qualities and transferable skills that show you'll be a good fit for the role, you'll settle in well with the organisation and you'll complement other team members. Soft skills are typically more transferable and applicable to different roles than hard and technical skills. Owing to the rapidly evolving nature of the work landscape, soft skills are growing in importance for a number of roles and industry sectors where technology is replacing hard skills. Additionally, soft skills are particularly valuable for junior and entry-level candidates, who might not have much work experience but have the right building blocks for a successful career.
As with hard skills, review the job description to understand the best soft skills to mention in your communications CV. The best CV soft skills section includes specific skills that you can evidence with examples throughout your CV. Craft a list of up to five key soft and transferable skills that reflect the job description, while also including some of your strongest, most unique skills to stand out from the crowd.
Below is a selection of soft skills regularly featured in a communications CV.
- Empathy
- Active listening
- Stakeholder management
Languages
Adding foreign language skills to your communications CV can be a valuable addition that reflects well on you as a candidate. Even if language skills aren't listed as a requirement in the job description, if you speak a foreign language, it can be beneficial to add it to your CV. In this section, include any foreign languages you speak to a standard that could be useful in the world of work, with an indication of your proficiency level.
The ways to indicate your foreign language skills depend on the level of detail you want to provide. They include assigning a basic descriptive word, such as:
- English: Fluent
- Spanish: Intermediate
You could otherwise use an internationally recognised language standard, such as the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This assigns your language skills a standardised level of competence, as follows:
- A1: Beginner
- A2: Elementary
- B1: Intermediate
- B2: Upper intermediate
- C1: Advanced
- C2: Proficiency
Certifications and Training
Depending on the role and your qualifications, it might be necessary to include a certifications section. It can be a valuable way of differentiating yourself from other candidates and showing employers your dedication, motivation and commitment to professional development. Furthermore, if there are any necessary certifications or licences for the job, this CV section takes on even more importance. If you're applying for a technical role or a position that involves the use of specialist software or equipment, these might make it more necessary to include a section showcasing your training.
Here are some key examples of certifications and licences that you could add to your CV for communications professional positions:
- CIPR Diploma in Public Relations, 2023
- CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing, 2023
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification, 2023
Expert Tip:
Barnet Council shows that recruiters spend only 8.8 seconds reviewing a CV, so a concise personal statement is essential to grab attention immediately. (1)
Additional Information
Adding optional sections to the end of your communications CV is a good way of showing you have the necessary skills for the job. Consider optional sections for your CV if you're looking for ways to show you're right for the job, beyond your work experience. Optional sections are particularly valuable if you haven't had the chance to build up relevant work experience, for example, if you're applying for entry-level roles or you're changing careers to a new industry or role.
You can find more detailed advice on tailoring your CV in our career resources, where we cover proven ways to highlight your skills effectively.
Hobbies and Interests
Hobbies and interests are a legitimate way to showcase your skills, if you have any hobbies relevant to the role. Additionally, this section gives you the chance to show employers different facets of your personality and interests beyond work, which can help them to differentiate you from other applicants. However, a hobbies and interests section will only make an impact with the reader if the skills you showcase are relevant to the role. As such, only include this section if it helps you fulfil requirements of the role that you've been unable to show elsewhere.
Awards and Achievements
Creating a section for your achievements and awards can help you draw attention to the things you're most proud of in your career to date. Add any awards you've won or career milestones you've reached, so employers can easily see the impact you've made in your career to date.
Volunteering
Another way of showing employers your skills and experience is through volunteer roles. If you're struggling to show you have the necessary credentials through your work experience, volunteering can provide valuable examples of how you've put your skills into action. For this section, use a similar structure to your work experience section.
List your job title or a description of the role, the organisation name, its location and the dates you occupied the role. Use bullet points to show employers how you put your skills to use, and any positive achievements from your time in the role.
Analytical Insight:
The majority of HR specialists (almost 60%) view volunteering as relevant professional experience. (2)
Most effective action verbs for a communications CV
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points gives you the opportunity to show how you've applied skills to good effect in previous roles. Starting each bullet point with an action verb, such as 'delivered', 'collaborated' or 'developed' also allows you to show your key skills and qualities in a way that's easily identifiable for the reader. Remember to always back up the action verbs you use with quantifiable evidence that shows the impact you made. You can use past tense for any action verbs describing previous jobs, with present tense for action verbs to describe your current role and responsibilities.
- Articulate
- Craft
- Strategise
- Coordinate
- Facilitate
- Engage
- Liaise
- Draft
- Negotiate
- Persuade
Communications CV sample
Now that you know exactly what to include in your communications CV, we can take a look at a final, finished example below:
London
•
michael-long@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/michael–long–123
Strategic communications professional with four years’ senior management experience and a BA in Media and Communications. He led a 10-person team to boost digital engagement by 25%. He excels at shaping brand narratives.
Communications officer
2023
-2026
BBC (London)
- Led social media strategy that increased follower engagement by 45% within six months for a major regional campaign.
- Developed press releases and media kits that secured coverage in five national newspapers, boosting brand visibility.
- Implemented crisis communication plan during product recall, maintaining stakeholder trust and minimising reputational damage.
Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications
2018
-2021
University of Westminster (London)
Media relations strategy
Crisis communication planning
Social media management
Empathy
Active listening
Stakeholder management
CIPR Diploma in Public Relations
CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing
English - Native
French - Advanced
If you're not sure what your one-page, finalised CV design might look like, check out our examples.
Key tips and mistakes to avoid for your communications CV
Tips to follow
- Tailor your CV, matching it to the key skills and experience described in the job description, while telling a unique story about your best qualities and achievements.
- Use a clear, professional CV format, choosing a readable font, consistent line spacing and clear headings, to make your CV as accessible as possible.
- Start with a strong CV summary or objective, providing a snapshot of your best qualities and achievements to help employers form a positive first impression.
- Quantify your career achievements where possible, using key metrics and positive endorsements and feedback.
- Use action verbs to showcase how you put your strongest skills to good use in previous roles, and demonstrate the impact they had.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Don't add an inappropriate email address to your CV comrosing of nicknames or informal language. If needed, create a dedicated professional email address combining elements of your name, initials and/or profession.
- Don't fill your CV with irrelevant work experience that takes up precious CV space and won't persuade the reader of your suitability for the role.
- Don't try to impress with industry jargon or acronyms that can make your CV less readable, when simple, clear language will do the same job.
- Don't use overly complex or fussy formatting that can make your CV harder to read, or confuse ATS scanning tools.
- Don't lie or exaggerate to make your application look stronger – misleading claims about jobs or qualifications can be considered fraud.
A compelling cover letter is an essential part of a successful job application. Ensure your cover letter matches the style and design of your CV with our professional cover letter templates.
How to make your CV ATS compatible
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are now commonly used by employers, to help them manage the recruitment process. One of the main functions of ATS software is the scanning and ranking of CVs according to their likely suitability for the role. By taking on this task, the hiring manager can reduce the time and resources they spend on the initial selection process, making recruitment more efficient and cost-effective.
Because ATS software is becoming more common in the recruitment process, it's important to make some concessions in your CV to give yourself the best chance of progressing beyond the initial screening. With that in mind, here are some tips on preparing your CV for ATS screening:
- Include keywords and phrases that mirror the job description, increasing your chances of ranking highly in the ATS screening stage.
- Use clear headings that reflect standard CV conventions, such as 'work experience', 'education' and 'skills'.
- Opt for a simple CV layout with consistent formatting, avoiding any special design elements that could make your CV harder for ATS apps to scan.
- Select a font that enhances the readability of your CV, including recognised serif and sans serif fonts between sizes 10 and 12 for body text, and 14 and 16 for headings.
- Use bullet points throughout your CV in place of full sentences. This serves a few purposes, reducing the overall length, helping keywords stand out and making it overall more scannable by ATS apps.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by the steps to creating an ATS-compatible communications CV, but a few small changes can make a big difference. To smooth the process, use one of our expert-designed, ATS-optimised CV templates to increase your chances of success at this stage of the screening process.
If you want to impress recruiters with your CV, use Jobseeker's ready-made CV templates, which are HR-approved for maximum chances of success.
Communications CV FAQs
How do I write a communications professional cover letter for my job application?
Your cover letter can have just as strong an impact on your chances of success as your CV. When writing a cover letter, use a professional, formal letter structure and select a cover letter template to match the look and feel of your CV.
The standard cover letter format includes three main paragraphs of content. The first paragraph includes a brief introduction to yourself and the role you're applying for, and references your motivation for applying for the job. In the second paragraph, list some key skills and achievements, taking care to differentiate from the content in your CV. The closing paragraph typically contains a recap of your enthusiasm for the role, and adds a call to action that establishes dialogue with the employer.
Alternatively, if you're applying for the role via email, you may want to send a less formal cover note. This simply includes a brief introduction, confirming the role you're applying for and directing the reader to the relevant attached documents, rather than following the traditional professional letter conventions. Remember to include your contact details in your email, so the employer can follow up with you if necessary.
Jobseeker's cover letter examples for communications professional and media industry roles provide useful tips and guidance from HR experts on how to write a compelling cover letter.
How do I write a persuasive communications CV without experience?
Even without a history of relevant work experience, you can still write a communications CV that makes its mark with employers.
Choose a functional CV format, that gives greater emphasis to your skills than to your work experience. In this layout, the skills section comes immediately below your CV summary, followed by education, with work experience taking less priority.
For junior positions, it's important to emphasise your soft and transferable skills. Employers will be looking less for communications professional candidates with a depth of experience, and more for candidates who can show they have the soft skills, such as ability to adapt and learn, to thrive in a new role and environment.
How do you write an impactful communications CV headline?
A well-written CV headline can be an effective way of introducing your CV, helping it be more compatible with ATS apps and engaging the reader early in the document.
Aim to write a short, concise sentence that mentions the job title and focuses on one of your best skills or qualities.
The most impactful CV headlines focus on the most critical keywords and phrases from the job description, helping the reader to make a snap judgement on whether to read your CV in more depth, while increasing the likelihood of passing the ATS stage.
See below for some examples that you can use as inspiration for writing a CV headline for different experience levels:
- Junior Communications Professional Driving Engagement
- Strategic Communications and Engagement Leader
- Senior Communications Leader Driving Success
What communications CV format gives me the best chance of success in 2026?
The format that gives the best chance of success for your communications CV in 2026 depends on various factors, such as your experience levels, the type and level of role you're applying for and the norms of the company and industry.
Generally, the most effective CV format for candidates with some work experience is the traditional reverse-chronological structure. This layout prioritises your work experience section to show how you meet the job description, with examples of your key skills and achievements.
Alternatively, for less-experienced candidates who might not want to emphasise previous employment (such as recent graduates or career changers), a functional format is more suitable. This layout prioritises your skills and qualifications.
Key takeaways for a winning communications CV
To stand out from the crowd with your CV, tailor your approach to each individual application, incorporating keywords and phrases that match the job description. Choose the most fitting CV format for your experience level, and focus on showcasing how you've developed the necessary skills for the role, and used them to positive effect in previous roles.
Finally, using an eye-catching, expert-designed CV template from Jobseeker can really give your CV an edge over those from rival candidates, helping you to achieve success in your job applications.
References:
- Barnet Council (UK local government), Recruitment tips: How to write a supporting statement
- Jobseeker, HR Statistics
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