As a communication manager, articulating your diverse skill set in a concise format is a key resume challenge you might encounter. Our guide offers tailored strategies and examples to help you distill your experience into a powerful resume that speaks directly to hiring managers.
- Communication manager resumes that are tailored to the role are more likely to catch recruiters' attention.
- Most sought-out communication manager skills that should make your resume.
- Styling the layout of your professional resume: take a page from communication manager resume examples.
How to write about your communication manager achievements in various resume sections (e.g. summary, experience, and education).
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Enhancing your communication manager resume: format and layout tips
"Less is more" - this principle is key for your communication manager resume design. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on why you're the ideal candidate. Simultaneously, it's crucial to select a resume design that is both clear and simple, ensuring your qualifications are easily readable.
Four popular formatting rules (and an additional tip) are here to optimize your communication manager resume:
- Listing experience in reverse chronological order - start with your most recent job experiences. This layout helps recruiters see your career progression and emphasizes your most relevant roles.
- Including contact details in the header - make sure your contact information is easily accessible at the top of your resume. In the header, you might also include a professional photo.
- Aligning your expertise with the job requirements - this involves adding essential sections such as experience, skills, and education that match the job you're applying for.
- Curating your expertise on a single page - if your experience spans over a decade, a two-page resume is also acceptable.
Bonus tip: Ensure your communication manager resume is in PDF format when submitting. This format maintains the integrity of images, icons, and layout, making your resume easier to share.
Finally, concerning your resume format and the Applicant Tracker System (ATS):
- Use simple yet modern fonts like Rubik, Lato, Montserrat, etc.
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are friendly to ATS systems. Avoid script fonts that look like handwriting, however.
- Fonts such as Ariel and Times New Roman are suitable, though commonly used.
- Both single and double-column resumes can perform well with the ATS.
Different regions expect different formats – Canadian resumes, for example, may look unique.
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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.
The five (plus) definite sections your resume for a communication manager job should include are:
- Header with your headline, contact details, and/or a preview of your work
- Summary (or objective) to pinpoint how your success aligns with the role
- Experience with bullets of your most relevant achievements in the field
- Skills to integrate vital job requirements (both technical and personal)
- Your further dedication to the field, showcased via relevant higher education and/or certifications
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing effective communication strategies.
- Proven skills in managing internal and external communications, including public relations, media relations, and social media management.
- Strong ability to measure and analyze communication efforts, using data-driven approaches to improve engagement and outreach.
- Experience with crisis communication management and the ability to maintain poise and effectiveness under pressure.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills tailored to a variety of audiences and platforms.
What to include in the experience section of your communication manager resume
The resume experience section is perhaps the most important element in your application as it needs to showcase how your current profile matches the job.
While it may take some time to perfect your communication manager experience section, here are five tips to keep in mind when writing yours:
- Assess the advert to make a list of key requirements and look back on how each of your past jobs answers those;
- Don't just showcase you know a particular skill, instead, you need proof in the form of tangible results (e.g. numbers, percent, etc.);
- It's perfectly fine to leave off experience items that don't bring anything extra to your skill set or application;
- Recruiters want to understand what the particular value is of working with you, so instead of solely featuring technologies, think about including at least one bullet that's focused on your soft skills;
- Take care with wording each bullet to demonstrate what you've achieved, using a particular skill, and an action verb.
The below communication manager resume examples can help guide you to curate your professional experience, following industry-leading tips and advice.
- Crafted comprehensive communication plans, aligning corporate vision with public messaging, which was pivotal in a 20% increase in brand awareness.
- Led a team of 5 in developing multimedia content that boosted web traffic by 35% through strategic SEO and social media campaigns.
- Orchestrated crisis communication strategy, effectively mitigating negative press coverage by 50% during a high-profile product recall.
- Initiated an internal communications protocol, improving employee engagement scores by 30% through quarterly town halls and monthly newsletters.
- Directed public relations efforts that secured 10+ feature articles in top-tier industry publications annually, enhancing the company's professional network.
- Managed a budget of $500k for communication activities, ensuring optimized allocation for events, press releases, and community relations.
- Implemented a comprehensive social media strategy across 7 platforms that expanded our digital footprint and grew follower count by 250%.
- Spearheaded the rebranding initiative that led to a 40% increase in market share, by focusing on clarity and consistency of messaging.
- Enhanced internal communication protocols by introducing a collaborative platform, improving cross-departmental project completion rate by 20%.
- Partnered with IT department to roll out a new employee intranet that improved internal communication efficiency by 25%.
- Organized 50+ successful press conferences and product launch events that consistently exceeded KPIs for media coverage and audience reach.
- Mentored a team of communication professionals and cultivated leadership paths for each member, resulting in two internal promotions.
- Negotiated and secured partnerships with influencers, generating an ROI of 5:1 through targeted social media campaigns.
- Developed and executed a global communications strategy that increased brand presence in 10 new markets, leading to a surge in consumer engagement.
- Analyzed and synthesized complex technical information, producing clear and persuasive public-facing documentation that supported product launches.
- Pioneered a digital communication strategy that integrated new technology resulting in a 45% reduction in response time to customer inquiries.
- Cultivated media relations that led to a 50% increase in positive media mentions during my tenure, including features in high-profile industry reports.
- Designed and conducted communication training programs for over 200 employees, significantly enhancing the coherence of external corporate messaging.
- Implemented a targeted employee advocacy program that leveraged employees' social networks, amplifying reach by over 300%.
- Initiated a content marketing strategy that drove a 40% increase in leads and a conversion rate improvement of 5% through compelling storytelling.
- Managed the complete redesign of the company's website, which led to a 60% improvement in user engagement and a 20% increase in time spent on site.
- Supervised the development and execution of a proactive media relations program which led to a 80% increase in positive editorial coverage.
- Drove a 30% increase in employee participation in volunteer and social responsibility programs through compelling storytelling and internal campaigns.
- Liaised effectively with C-suite executives to ensure the consistency of corporate messages across all internal and external channels.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- List the percentage increase in social media engagement under your management, demonstrating your ability to effectively grow online presence.
- Specify the exact number of successful PR campaigns you've led, highlighting your expertise in running strategic initiatives.
- Include the dollar amount of budgets you've managed, showcasing your financial responsibility and resource allocation skills.
- Mention the number of team members you've supervised, illustrating your leadership and team management abilities.
- Detail the percentage growth in website traffic due to your content strategies, which shows your proficiency in driving digital traffic.
- Quantify the number of industry events you have organized or spoken at, signifying your role in thought leadership and networking.
- Indicate the reduction in communication-related complaints or issues, reflecting your effectiveness in managing stakeholder relations.
- Report the number of communication channels you've integrated, which emphasizes your adaptability and innovative approach.
Action verbs for your communication manager resume
No relevant experience - what to feature instead
Suppose you're new to the job market or considering a switch in industry or niche. In such cases, it's common to have limited standard professional experience. However, this isn't a cause for concern. You can still craft an impressive communication manager resume by emphasizing other sections, showing why you're a great fit for the role:
- Emphasize your educational background and extracurricular activities to demonstrate your industry knowledge;
- Replace the typical experience section with internships or temporary jobs where you've gained relevant skills and expertise;
- Highlight your unique skill set, encompassing both technological and personal abilities;
- Showcase transferable skills acquired throughout your life and work experiences so far.
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PRO TIP
List your educational qualifications and certifications in reverse chronological order.
Key hard skills and soft skills for your communication manager resume
At the top of any recruiter communication manager checklist, you'd discover a list of technical competencies, balanced with personal skills.
Hard or technical skills are your opportunity to show how you meet the essential responsibilities of the role. The ability to use a particular job-crucial technology or software would also hint to recruiters whether you'd need a prolonged period of on-the-job training - or you'd fit right in the job.
But to land your dream role, you'd also need to demonstrate a variety of soft or people resume skills . Employers care about soft skills as they show how each candidate would fit into the team and company culture.
Both types of skills are specific and to best curate them on your resume, you'd need to:
- Create a skill section within which you showcase your hard and soft skills and present how they help you succeed.
- List specific examples of projects, tasks, or competitions, within which your skill set has assisted your results.
- Soft skills are harder to measure, so think about situations in which they've helped you thrive. Describe those situations concisely, focusing on how the outcome has helped you grow as a professional.
- Metrics of success - like positive ROI or optimized workplace processes - are the best way to prove your technical and people skills.
Take a look at some of communication manager industry leaders' favorite hard skills and soft skills, as listed on their resumes.
Top skills for your communication manager resume:
Content Management Systems (CMS)
Social Media Management Tools
Email Marketing Software
Graphic Design Software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite)
Public Relations Tools
Analytics and Reporting Tools (e.g., Google Analytics)
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems
Video Editing Software
SEO Tools
Project Management Software
Excellent Written Communication
Verbal Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Strategic Thinking
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills
Team Collaboration
Creativity
Time Management
Crisis Management
PRO TIP
Highlight any significant extracurricular activities that demonstrate valuable skills or leadership.
What are the best certificates to add to your communication manager resume + how to curate your education section
The education and certification resume sections are the underdogs of your communication manager resume.
They showcase to recruiters that you've invested plenty of time to gain valuable and specific know-how, vital for growth.
As far as the resume education section is concerned:
- Detail only advanced education, specifying the institution and timeframe.
- Indicate your forthcoming graduation date if you're in the midst of your studies.
- Consider omitting degrees that don't align with the job's requirements.
- Offer a description of your academic journey if it underscores your notable achievements.
When curating your degrees and certificates on your communication manager resume:
- Select only accreditation that matters to the role
- Niche knowledge that could help you stand out as a candidate (as is within the past few years), should be listed towards the top of your resume
- Include any pertinent data for credibility (e.g. institute name, graduation dates, etc.)
- Irrelevant degrees and certifications shouldn't make it on your resume. Those include your high school diploma and any specializations that have nothing to do with the technical or soft skills that are required for the job
As a final note, if you feel tempted to exclude your education or certification from your resume, don't.
These two sections could help you have a better competitive edge over other candidates - hinting that your professional journey in the industry may be for a longer period of time.
Recruiters find all of these communication manager credentials impressive:
The top 5 certifications for your communication manager resume:
- Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
- Certified Communication Professional (CCP) - Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC)
- Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) - Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC)
- Digital Marketing Professional Certification (CDMP) - Digital Marketing Institute (DMI)
- Public Relations Society of America (APR) - Accreditation in Public Relations (PRSA)
PRO TIP
The more time and effort you've put into obtaining the relevant certificate, the closer to the top it should be listed. This is especially important for more senior roles and if the company you're applying for is more forward-facing.
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Communication manager resume summary or objective? the best choice is based on your experience
If you're wondering about the relevancy of the resume summary or the resume objective to your communication manager application - here's the truth.
The summary and objective provide recruiters with your expertise and accomplishments at a glance, within an up-to-five-sentence structure.
The difference is that the:
- Resume objective is also more focused on emphasizing your career goals. The objective is the perfect fit for (potentially more junior) candidates who'd like to balance their relevant experience with their career goals.
- Resume summary can provide you with space to also detail the unique value of what it's like to work with you. Communication manager candidates who have many noteworthy accomplishments start from the get-go with their summary.
Ensure that either type of resume introduction presents your communication manager expertise in the best light and aligns it with the job advert.
The more details you can provide with numbers, the more compelling your resume summary or objective will be.
Real-world communication manager candidates follow these frameworks in writing their resume summaries and objectives.
The end results are usually as such:
Resume summaries for a communication manager job
- Seasoned communication manager with over 10 years of experience in crafting compelling narratives for multinational technology firms. Possesses advanced expertise in digital content strategy and analytics, with a proven track record in increasing engagement by 40% year-over-year. Recognized for leading successful PR campaigns that positioned previous employer as an industry leader.
- Dynamic marketing professional eager to transition into strategic communications management, bringing forth 8 years of experience in brand development for fast-paced retail environments. Exceptionally skilled in social media marketing and customer engagement, seeking to leverage my proven ability to boost organic growth and create meaningful brand experiences in a new industry sector.
- Accomplished journalist with 15 years in the media industry, skilled in investigative reporting and storytelling, now pivoting to communication management. Adept at translating complex information into clear, engaging content. Eager to apply my comprehensive knowledge of media relations and my robust network of press contacts to advance corporate messaging objectives.
- Former Non-Profit Director with a deep understanding of advocacy and community engagement strategies, aspiring to redirect 12 years of leadership experience towards the challenges of corporate communications. With an emphasis on team management and a passion for driving social impact through persuasive communication, ready to make a meaningful contribution in a new sector.
- Keen on commencing a career as a communication manager with a forward-thinking organization, I bring fresh insights from a recent Master's degree in Strategic Communications, an enthusiastic approach to learning, and a dedication to developing innovative content strategies that captivate diverse audiences and align with company values.
- Energetic professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and freshly-minted internship experience, aiming to leverage my academic knowledge and hands-on practicum in social media campaigns to contribute to a dynamic communications team. I am passionate about building effective communication channels that foster community and strengthen brand presence.
Showcasing your personality with these four communication manager resume sections
Enhance your communication manager expertise with additional resume sections that spotlight both your professional skills and personal traits. Choose options that not only present you in a professional light but also reveal why colleagues enjoy working with you:
- My time - a pie chart infographic detailing your daily personal and professional priorities, showcasing a blend of hard and soft skills;
- Hobbies and interests - share your engagement in sports, fandoms, or other interests, whether in your local community or during personal time;
- Quotes - what motivates and inspires you as a professional;
- Books - indicating your reading and comprehension skills, a definite plus for employers, particularly when your reading interests align with your professional field.
Key takeaways
We trust that this Enhancv guide has been informative and useful. To summarize the essential points:
- Opt for a simple and readable format, focusing more on your communication manager achievements rather than just duties;
- Emphasize your accomplishments in the communication manager experience section over mere responsibilities;
- If lacking relevant experience, utilize various resume sections like education and volunteering to demonstrate your suitable skill set;
- Never overlook the significance of pertinent higher education, training, and certifications;
- Incorporate diverse sections in your resume to highlight not just your skills expertise but also your personality.
Communication Manager resume examples
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