Tips on getting into some sort of communications role?

[Keke94LND]

Hi all.. so I am seriously thinking about my future and what I want to do, I have never really had a job I enjoy (I'm 27 so havnt had a whole load of jobs!) I have a degree in business and management and since then have briefly worked as a research and communications assistant (for a month) then worked full time as an executive assistant in private equity. I do not want to stay in the finance industry as it brings me no fulfillment, and I don't want to be an exec assistant for the rest of my life.

Other than my work experience which is not at all related to what I think I want to do.. I have an a level in English media, so I have a bit of experience in video editing and photoshop, I volunteer for a crisis help line and I have previously volunteered for a wedding company as a content writer

I think I would really like to work in a communications or marketing team within a charity or public sector, I would love to work on campaigns in the future.

I think a place to start could possibly be getting a team assistant role within a comms department, although I can't find any of these roles currently, or a PA role, but I find PA roles are a bit more rigid and harder to transition to other things!

Sorry this is a bit of a waffle, but just wanted to see if anyone had any advice or tips!

Thanks! :)

where are you located? Hopefully near a bit city? Or can you move for work? Why limit to a charity or public sector? The pay is likely to be a lot lower and you are restricting your options. I'd also look at other roles than team assistant/PA. If you join a marketing team in an agency or company then you are likely to do some copywriting/editing/reviewing other people's - so this might be a good start. Plus, in many places if they learn you are good at something they tend to put more of that work your way - so dont rule out jobs that might just have an element of what you want

You could take a CIM qualification part time while working. That and a reference from the charity would get you into a marketing assistant role, and then upwards from there with more experience.
It's useful to blog regularly on a favourite topic such as a preferred charity and use the # feature in LinkedIn to start to build a network.
Follow some charities and then you'll see when jobs are advertised.
Good luck

@dreamingofsun

where are you located? Hopefully near a bit city? Or can you move for work? Why limit to a charity or public sector? The pay is likely to be a lot lower and you are restricting your options. I'd also look at other roles than team assistant/PA. If you join a marketing team in an agency or company then you are likely to do some copywriting/editing/reviewing other people's - so this might be a good start. Plus, in many places if they learn you are good at something they tend to put more of that work your way - so dont rule out jobs that might just have an element of what you want

Oh sorry I should have added, I'm in London, so there should be lots of opportunities.. hmm I guess I could look at something not in charity or public sector, but I really really want something that feels a bit fulfilling

second the suggestion about CIM - where i used to work grads were allowed to do this on day release whilst working FT. I guess what I'm trying to say is get some experience in the field and then after a few years look for a really peachy role. If you are struggling to find things to apply for widen your field a little so you can get some more experience. You never know you might actually enjoy the role anyway - that's what has just happened to my son.

Do consider volunteering with an organisation that matches your values as a way of building contacts and experience. Allows you to continue earning and building skills in your day job.

I know a few people who work in comms for the NHS they ALL joined as grads from journalism degrees

I'm work in comms. I trained as a journalist first and then various roles with charities. Don't get an EA role. Have a look on some big charity websites for media roles to see what they are asking for.

This would be a standard job description careers.rcn.org.uk/vacancies/vacancy-listing/2766-Communications-Officer

It is a competitive sector though.

Hi there! I work as a freelance writer in the charity/not for profit sector. You could try joining the 'Fundraising Chat' group on Facebook, as there are often many roles/vacancies posted there. The sector is always hiring so I'm sure there will be space for you! I would reach out on LinkedIn to the right people in organisations you are particularly interested in working for - I'm sure there will be internship opportunities if you ask for them. Marketing Managers or Heads of Fundraising - those types of people.

Second the PP who advised not to get stuck in the EA/PA mould - it's hard to navigate away from that as you will get pigeonholed. Seems like you have a good base of experience to start your career! Best of luck! x

I'm Head of Comms in a large public sector organisation; in my time I've hired several entry-level roles where the candidates didn't necessarily have previous comms experience. The thing that they all had in common was in both their applications and interviews they demonstrated a good understanding of the job and the organisation, and they were able to clearly communicate how their skills were transferrable and would make them a good fit.

Work on your personal communication skills - how can you get your message across clearly and persuasively? Research the organisations you're applying to, so you can understand their mission and how comms contributes to that. Demonstrate that you've thought about who their audience might be and how best to reach them. You don't have to have all the answers, but showing that you've thought about it will really count in your favour.

Copywriting/content creation experience is very valuable, as is any digital marketing experience or community management (e.g. being an admin of a Facebook group). Voluntary experience is just as good as paid work if you can talk about it persuasively in an interview. CIM/CIPR qualifications are great, but if you don't have one, I'd talk it up in an interview if they ask about your future ambitions as it demonstrates that you're keen to develop your skills.

Good luck! Sign up for the charity/public sector/university job search sites and consider speaking to an agency - temp to perm is definitely a thing for us.

I’ve a hybrid tech background that leaned into marketing and internal comms. My role wasn’t on either team, but when I left I was able to interview for either role.

The side way into it, is to go into roles that give you some responsibility to delivery at scale, as you will be able to get involved in the messaging and comms planning.