Communications officer CV example

You’ve nailed tone of voice for every department but your own. This guide walks you through writing a CV correctly and constructing each section with purpose and clarity.

From planning the layout to writing standout accomplishments, you’ll learn how to frame your experience so that hiring managers see exactly why you’re the right person for the job.

A good CV isn’t just about what you say – it’s about how clearly you say it. When employers scan your application, they want to see core skills, relevant experience, and key outcomes presented in a way that’s quick and easy to understand. Your CV is going to need to be structured to make it all clear.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – These contact information sit at the top to provide easy access for prospective employers. Adding a photo is optional.
• Profile – Hook the recruiter right away by stating the value you’ll bring their company.
• Core skills – State your best qualities at a quick glance.
• Work experience – List your previous job titles from newest to oldest.
• Education – Show off your academic record and qualifications.
• Additional info – Include anything from your hobbies and interests to the languages you speak – these are all totally optional.
  

Cluttered CVs get the same treatment as spam emails – ignored. Use bullet points to break up the text and highlight your contributions clearly. Stick to a clean, readable font and divide your CV into clear sections with consistent formatting. Keep the overall length to two pages or less – anything longer risks losing the reader’s attention. A polished format which follows these tips sends a clear message: this candidate knows how to communicate professionally.

This section is your written elevator pitch. It’s the first thing a hiring manager will read – so make it count. Your CV profile should briefly summarise who you are, what kind of organisations you’ve worked for, and the communication impact you’ve made in previous roles.

Focus not just on what you’ve done, but on the results you’ve delivered – and tailor the tone of your profile to match the type of employer.

Include the following:

• Where you worked – Mention the types of organisations you’ve worked in, such as government departments, charities, agencies, or corporate settings, to provide context for your experience.
• Your top qualifications – Include any degrees, diplomas, or certifications in communications, journalism, or public relations that support your credibility.
• Essential skills – Touch on your ability to manage messaging, engage audiences, and coordinate across departments or with external media.
• Sectors or formats – Briefly note any experience with press, internal comms, social media, or crisis communication, if relevant to your role.
• Value delivered – Explain how your work supported organisational goals – for example, increasing engagement, improving reputation, or streamlining internal messaging.
  

In communications, employers want clarity – so don’t pad this section with vague claims or soft skills. Instead, use this space to highlight technical strengths and areas of specialism that match the job description.

Think in terms of tangible CV skills: campaign coordination, stakeholder engagement, drafting for print and digital, media monitoring, or crisis communications. If you’ve worked with specific CMS platforms or analytics tools, this is also a good place to mention them. Keep the focus on skills that prove you can deliver targeted, strategic messaging with measurable impact.

Your work experience isn’t just a list of tasks – it’s more like your PR campaign for yourself. Think of each job as a case study – what was the message, who was the audience, what was the result?

List your previous roles in reverse chronological order. Start each entry with a short paragraph explaining the organisation, your position, and the focus of your role. Follow this with bullet points that detail your responsibilities and achievements.

Mention the formats you worked in (press releases, newsletters, digital content), who you collaborated with, and what outcomes you achieved. Where possible, include metrics such as engagement rates, reach, or stakeholder satisfaction.

• Outline – Provide context about the organisation, your role, and where you fit within the wider communications or marketing team.
• Responsibilities – Use action words like “drafted” and “coordinated.” For example: “drafted weekly internal newsletters for 3,000+ employees” or “coordinated public health campaign messaging across digital and radio channels.” Mention tools and processes where relevant.
• Achievements – Show how your work made a difference – increased engagement, improved sentiment, successful campaign launches, or crisis management handled smoothly. Quantify when possible.

In communications roles, a relevant qualification often provides a strong foundation – especially if you’re early in your career. Whether you studied journalism, public relations, marketing, or media, this section should reflect the academic preparation that supports your practical skillset.

Start with your most recent or highest-level education. You can also mention short courses or certifications in copywriting, SEO, or internal communications. If you’ve worked in the field for a while, keep this section brief – but if you’re starting out, feel free to expand slightly on key projects or modules.