When it comes to ordering a CV, even highly qualified applicants can have difficulty working out the right way to list their skills and experience. A communications officer CV sample can help you to lay out your educational and work history in a clean, clear format, so that potential employers can easily pick out the information they need to make a decision.

The free communications officer CV sample offered here is a useful starting point for creating your own CV from scratch, or for adapting and updating an existing CV to reflect the most relevant areas of your skill set.

To simplify the process, choose a pre-made CV template that highlights your most desirable qualities. Then, complete the details using the below guidance. Alongside offering tips and tricks for persuasive prose, we’ll answer all your questions, including:

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    Sample communications officer CV

    communications-officer-CV-sample

    David Dunne

    8 Holgate Rd, Bristol, Connecticut BS2 9NF

    07912345678

    David.Dunne@example-example.co.uk

    Professional summary

    Highly-motivated Communication Manager raising brand awareness and reputation through expert marketing strategy. Maintaining productive professional media relations for optimal brand exposure and increased company success.

    Work history

    April 2016 – Current

    M.M.&D. – Bristol

    Communication Officer

    • Applied brand awareness and appropriate tone of voice across all communications to strengthen company image.
    • Devised and executed aligned communication strategy across numerous platforms.
    • Localised PR initiatives to maximise regional awareness and coverage.

    January 2012 – March 2016

    Suny Travels Ltd. – Bristol

    Communications Assistant

    • Kept files organised and up-to-date for accurate record-keeping purposes.
    • Sourced and ordered office supplies within allocated budget.
    • Photocopied and printed presentations and reports for meetings.

    Skills

    • Relationship building
    • Global consultancy
    • SEO
    • Exemplary written and verbal communication
    • Innovative marketing strategy
    • Copywriting

    Education

    University of Bristol Bristol – 2013

    Bachelor of Arts English

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    Communications officer CV template

    What is the best format for your communications officer CV?

    Before putting pen to paper, you’ll want to choose the correct CV format. Some are better at showcasing your tangible experience, while others prioritise transferable skills. There are two widely accepted structures in the UK – the reverse-chronological CV and the skills-based CV.

    Without a doubt, the reverse-chronological CV is best for most communications officers. Here, you’ll spotlight your employment history and job-specific talents to reassure employers that you can hit the ground running. Hiring managers prefer candidates who demonstrate an ability to work under pressure through similarly high-stake roles.

    The reverse-chronological CV format is easy to follow. Include:

    • Up-to-date contact details – name, location, email address, and phone number
    • Employment history – starting from your current or most recent job
    • Education – academic and professional qualifications
    • Key skills – a brief list of technical (hard) and transferable (soft) skills
    • Additional information – relevant to the role
    • References available on request

    Many people come into communications via a complementary position, like marketing or events management. In these cases, it’s still best to use a reverse-chronological CV format because duties often crossover. For example, both communications officers and marketing executives write press releases and blog posts.

    Becoming a communications officer without work experience is tricky but not impossible. Search for entry-level positions and boost your chances with additional training. Some companies also offer apprenticeships for post-graduate students.

    Choose your format now

    How to write a CV for a communications officer

    With the layout and structure in place, the next challenge is putting pen to paper (or fingers to your keyboard). The best advice is to take it section by section, breaking your CV into little chunks to make it a bit less daunting. Fortunately, we’ve got some advice to help with that too. Read on as we run through how to write a CV for a communications officer, including:

    What contact details should I include in my communications officer CV?

    Employers can’t take your application further, even if they want to, without up-to-date contact details. Outline the following information at the top of your communications officer CV:

    • Name – first name and surname
    • Address – include the postcode too
    • Email – keep it professional
    • Phone number – the best one to reach you on

    Example of contact section for a communications officer CV

    Mary Henry
    319 Southwark Street
    London, S133 HGX
    07878 333 444
    mary_p_henry@upmail.com

    Start your communications officer CV with a personal statement

    We all want to make an excellent impression, and that’s where a personal statement can help. This punchy, powerful paragraph is the first thing an employer reads when opening your CV, and they’ll often use it to choose between closely matched contenders. As such, every word counts! We recommend the following format:

    • First sentence – explain who you are, including years of experience
    • Second sentence – outline what you can achieve
    • Third and fourth sentences – describe your unique skills

    As well as keeping the information concise, the best personal statements are a pleasure to read. Remember, you’re trying to grab the employer’s attention and prove why you’re the best person for the job. Our top tips include:

    • Use the third person – it sounds more professional 
    • Focus on positive adjectives – like “passionate” and “disciplined”
    • Lead with action verbs – such as “executed” and “spearheaded”
    • Sound confident – don’t be afraid to shout about your qualities

    Lastly, scatter your personal statement with figures to substantiate your expertise. For example, you might mention how you oversaw a national media campaign that boosted press coverage by 30%.

    Example of personal statement for a communications officer CV

    Educated to degree level, with four years’ experience in communications roles. Highly literate with strong attention to detail. Good planning and marketing skills. Private and public sector experience. Familiar with a range of software, including WordPress and other content management systems, and the Adobe Creative Suite.

    OR

    Project manager accustomed to working as the leader of a small team, with colleagues at all levels, and with external suppliers and clients. Experienced in long-term PR campaigns as well as responding to events and media. Used to working to deadlines under pressure.

    How to present your work history on a communications officer CV

    Employers love nothing more than seeing a well-fleshed-out career history section that showcases your aptitude for the role. It’s an opportunity to dazzle the hiring manager with your skills and verify expertise with statistics and testimonies.

    If you haven’t got much experience, there’s no need to worry. You can mention:

    • Full-time and part-time positions
    • Temporary contracts
    • Summer jobs 
    • Apprenticeships
    • Internships
    • Voluntary work

    Starting from your current or most recent position, list:

    • Job title – this helps employers gauge salary expectations
    • Company name and location – avoid acronyms
    • Start and finish dates – this shows employers how likely you are to stay with a company
    • Summary of responsibilities – three to six for each role

    Most importantly, avoid sounding robotic – regurgitating the same old information won’t spark the reader’s interest. Instead, think about what makes you truly valuable. Perhaps, you have a specialism in competitor analysis? Maybe, your marketing background makes you a wizard wordsmith?

    Highlight achievements in the summary of responsibilities to strengthen your application. The more factual and specific you can be, the better – showing employers how brilliant you are is always more effective than telling them. For instance, which sounds better:

    “Created news articles for notable media outlets.”

    OR

    “Headed a week-long media campaign for the Independent that boosted website clicks by 61%.”

    Example of work experience for a communications officer CV

    Media officer, Society for Child Welfare: 2014 – present

    • Project management
    • Communication with press and media
    • Public and stakeholder engagement
    • Marketing, press releases, and external communications
    • Internal communications

    Communications assistant, Magister Saxon Ltd: 2012 – 2014

    • Writing copy
    • Updating blogs and social media
    • Proofreading
    • Answering phone and email enquiries

    Great skills to add on your communications officer CV

    A comprehensive CV skills section that reflects the job advertisement is critical to your success. You can catapult your communications officer CV miles ahead of the competition by combining hard and soft skills – the former are technical, while the latter are personality-based.

    Hard skills are especially important for this role because there are so many niche responsibilities, including writing engaging articles, navigating content management systems, and analysing campaign data.

    Although you shouldn’t copy the job description, it’s helpful to reread the information, identify the key attributes employers are looking for, and then include them in your writing.

    In contrast, soft skills are usually transferable – think “charismatic”, “goal-oriented”, and “inspirational”. While they aren’t job-specific, they’re equally crucial because they speak to your personality. Employers may choose a less experienced candidate because they’re a better fit for the company or demonstrate qualities that complement their existing team.

    Here are some ideas to get you started:

    Essential skills for a communications officer

    • BA (Hons) in English or relevant qualification
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
    • Networking skills
    • Project management
    • IT literate

    Desirable aptitudes to set you apart

    • Knowledge of media law and best practices
    • Experience with Google Analytics and AdWords
    • Social media proficiency
    • Ability to multi-task under pressure
    • Creative mindset

    Outlining education on a communications officer CV

    Becoming a communications officer requires a certain level of education. Most employers prefer candidates to have a Bachelor’s degree in communications or a relevant field, like journalism, marketing, or public relations. Companies will usually prioritise applicants who have continued their studies and gained a Master’s degree in their chosen subject.

    These degrees provide essential knowledge that’s hard to pick up outside a classroom environment, including media strategy and ethics. Plus, university courses offer students a chance to study niche areas of communications, improving their career prospects in a highly competitive market.

    With that said, some employers offer apprenticeships to non-graduates. While you don’t need a degree, you must demonstrate excellent English and IT skills via academic qualifications. Employers typically look for four to five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and two to three A Levels.

    Alternatively, you can complete additional training courses through the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

    We recommend including the following information in the education section:

    • School, college, university, or other awarding body
    • Study and graduation dates
    • Qualification level and grade
    • Subject title

    Example of education for a communications officer CV

    Bath University, 2018 – 2021 BA (Hons) in English, City College (2:1)

    Bath College, 2016 – 2018 A level English (A), French (B), Business Studies (B)

    Bath High School, 2013 – 2018 Eight GCSEs, all at grades A-B

    Writing a cover letter for a communications officer CV

    Now you’ve completed your communications officer CV, it’s time to explain how to write a cover letter – many employers won’t accept an application without one. Thankfully, the process is straightforward. Include:

    • An introduction – three to four sentences explaining who you are and why you’re applying for the position
    • The main body – nine to twelve sentences underlining your skills (especially those listed in the job description) and accomplishments
    • A conclusion – three to four sentences reiterating what you can bring to the company

    Our top advice is to let your enthusiasm shine through! You can do this by:

    • Researching the business – talk about how your visions align
    • Using positive adjectives and actions verbs
    • Expressing an interest in career progression
    • Tailoring your cover letter to the job specification
    • Reflecting the brand’s tone – it’s essential to write in a way that resonates with the reader

    Communications officer CV tips

    • Draw attention to your education

      A detailed education section proves that you possess a strong understanding of communications, even without tangible experience. This reassures employers that you won't need mollycoddling or micromanaging. You could highlight your academic credentials above the work history section to quickly confirm your suitability.

    • Mention your specialisms

      Communications officers span every industry and niche, so it's vital to mention your specialisms. Perhaps, you boast in-depth knowledge of the health and wellness sector? Or, you might have razor-sharp social media skills that speak to younger audiences? Whatever your talents, ensure they take centre stage when writing your CV.

    • Double-check for spelling and grammatical errors

      Communications officers must illustrate impeccable written skills and attention to detail, so double-check your work for mistakes. Run your CV through a spellchecker and ask friends or family for feedback.

    • Get the tone right

      This role requires you to authentically connect with different audiences. You can demonstrate this talent by using the right tone. If the brand is fun and playful, keep your cover letter and CV informal. Applying for a senior position? You might need to take a more authoritative stance.
    brand-image

    Your communications officer CV questions answered

    What do you do as a communications officer?

    The role of a communications officer is incredibly diverse, and you’ll tackle new, exciting challenges every day. While the responsibilities vary, they might include:

    • Writing and editing communications materials, including blog posts, social media content, speeches, and press releases
    • Developing relationships with media outlets and journalists
    • Carrying out market research and creating reports
    • Acting as a brand’s spokesperson
    • Developing strategies for managing crises

    What are the qualities of a communications officer?

    The most successful communications officers are brilliant firefighters and brand advocates. As the job title suggests, they must have exceptional written, spoken, and electronic communications skills to showcase their company in the best light. Qualities include:

    • Ability to juggle multiple tasks at once
    • Time management and organisation skills
    • Approachable and trustworthy nature
    • Experience handling complex situations
    • Energetic and pro-active approach

    How do you describe communication in a CV?

    In this context, communication describes how a business engages internally and with the outside world. It comprises articles in the news and press releases sent to media agencies, alongside company newsletters and bulletins. Any piece of information about the business filters through the communications officer, who must ensure it follows brand guidelines.

    How can I become a good communications officer?

    The first step towards becoming a successful communications officer is acquiring the relevant academic qualifications, then solidifying learning with internships and training courses. Additionally, you should approach challenges head-on to gain experience in high-pressure situations.

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    Use the other tools available on this website, together with our communication officer CV sample, to guide you as you put together your job application package.

    We have a wealth of CV examples you can use for inspiration, alongside pre-made CV templates to streamline the process. Thanks to these tools, applying for your next role has never been easier!

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