Overview
Communications officer roles span charities, councils, housing associations, and the NHS. They all want the same thing: someone who can write clearly, manage channels, and engage diverse audiences. The challenge for graduates is proving they can do this in a professional setting, not just an academic one.
This resume belongs to Marcus Okonkwo, a Media and Communication graduate from Birmingham City University. He completed a placement at a housing association and managed the university Students' Union newsletter. His resume works because it shows real communications outputs reaching real audiences, with engagement data to back it up.
What Makes This Resume Work
Audience reach numbers are front and centre. Newsletters reaching 15,000+ households and email campaigns sent to 8,000 students give immediate context for the scale of Marcus's work. These are not small projects; they are the kind of outputs that a full-time communications officer would produce.
Engagement improvements are measured. Increasing the newsletter open rate from 22% to 34% is a specific, measurable achievement. It shows Marcus does not just produce content; he analyses performance and makes improvements.
Charity sector volunteer work adds breadth. Contributing to fundraising campaigns that raised £18,000 shows Marcus can apply his communication skills across different sectors and contexts. Writing donor letters and patient stories demonstrates sensitivity and adaptability.
Key Takeaways
Communications roles are all about audience and impact. Your resume should specify who you were writing for, how many people you reached, and what happened as a result. If you improved open rates, grew social media engagement, or secured press coverage, include those numbers. Hiring managers for comms roles want writers who think about outcomes, not just outputs.
