HealthComms Careers’ Post

Job prospects for digital communications and cultural professionals in Australia In today’s competitive job market in Australia, having a well-curated profile is more than just a personal branding tool; it’s a gateway to career opportunities. For digital communications and cultural professionals in Australia, networking platforms offer a unique space to showcase expertise, network with industry leaders, and stay current on emerging trends. Critical strategies for managing your professional profile: 1. Define your personal brand: Craft a compelling headline and summary that highlights your unique value proposition. For example, if you specialize in digital storytelling or cultural content curation, ensure your profile clearly reflects these strengths. 2. Showcase your achievements: Upload a portfolio of your own representative work, project highlights, or media coverage of your work. For inspiration, check out the profiles of industry leaders, such as digital marketing strategists or content creators—they often include links to articles, speeches, or successful events. 3. Be thoughtful and present yourself: Remember to regularly share industry news, write articles that provide insights into your expertise, and comment on trending topics. For example, share an article about Australia’s growing digital economy and add your perspective. Repeated exercise can make you a dedicated professional. 4. Take advantage of networking opportunities: Connect with professionals in your field, join relevant groups and alumni associations, and participate in discussions. Targeted networking can help you exploit Australia’s growing demand for digital communicators, particularly in social media management, digital content strategy, and cultural engagement. The demand for skilled professionals in digital communication and cultural professions is rising, and there is still room for growth. To this end, the industry should: - Expand upskilling programs: Short courses in AI-driven communication tools, cultural data analysis, and interactive content creation can help professionals stay competitive. - Promote diverse narratives: Encouraging content that reflects Australia’s diverse cultural identities can open the door to more inclusive roles in communication and media. By combining strategic online presence management with continuous learning, digital communications professionals can carve out an impactful career in Australia’s dynamic job market. Please share your ideas with me!

Elevating your purpose and impact in communications and PR-how can it be done? We will enable you to: · discover your purpose in a time poor world · how to be purposeful in toxic environments · harness the power of ‘Social Capital Comms’ to create tidal waves of change This new one-day workshop enables you to harness new thinking and doing from the Dublin Conversations, so you can go forward with greater clarity vigour, and sense of direction to make the most of you and the new opportunities around you to elevate your purpose and impact through your work. Discover the new ‘Purpose Lite’ programme empowering you to uncover what truly drives you, even in busy times, and learn how to stay focused on your core mission. Explore, identify, and articulate your ‘Purpos’ - your prime purposefulness - in a time-poor world. Overcome the challenge of ‘Haven’t got time’ to answer the big profound questions in your life of ‘Why you do what you do?’ to instil greater resilience, direction, and power to realise your personal goals. Navigate Toxic Environments with 'Purpos'. Find out how, even in the most difficult of situations, you still have choices to maintain your purpose and integrity, with new tools from the Dublin Conversations empowering you to ‘do the right thing’ in challenging times. Harness the incredible power of Social Capital in your communications. Learn how to leverage 'Social Capital Comms' that fuels bottom-up led change to create impactful change, inspired by grassroots movements like #BlackLivesMatter and Extinction Rebellion. From this workshop at the very least your new tools and processes enable you to discover much about you, what makes you tick, what makes you fly. You will come away smarter having a better understanding of how to manage enabling your clients, colleagues, and others to deliver more strategic, narrative-driven, values-led communications and changemaking. What you will gain: - Clarity and direction: understand and articulate your primary purpose, enhancing your resilience and sense of direction with increased confidence and energy. - Practical tools: learn new methods from the Dublin Conversations to make purposeful choices and drive purpose-led change in even the most toxic of environments. - Enhanced communication skills: master the art of creating strategic, narrative-driven, and values-led communications and public relations practice that resonate deeply and achieve impact with the important people in your world. Workshop facilitator Andy Green FRSA is cofounder of the Dublin Conversations. He has delivered workshops for major blue-chip organisations around the globe and even creativity classes on the London Tube. The one-day workshop costs just €140 Book here: https://lnkd.in/eCjD7kaJ #Purpose #DublinConversations #Purpos #SocialCapitalComms #ConversationsFest24 #Comms #communications #publicrelations

Here are ten ways to enhance communication in public institutions, as proposed by Mathieu Karumugabo, Public Relations, Media, and Communications Officer: 1. Develop Clear Communication Strategies: Outline specific objectives, target audiences, and key messages to ensure consistency and clarity. Establish a calendar of communications activities to align with institutional priorities. 2. Engage with Media Proactively: Cultivate relationships with journalists, share timely press releases, and provide media kits to ensure accurate and positive coverage of the institution's activities. 3. Utilize Social Media Effectively: Engage the public by sharing updates, announcements, and achievements. Respond promptly to inquiries and feedback on platforms where the audience is active. 4. Host Regular Press Briefings: Periodically organize press briefings to provide updates on important projects, policy changes, and milestones. This can help build transparency and trust. 5. Create Informative and Engaging Content: Develop newsletters, brochures, and infographics that break down complex information for the public. Visual content can help communicate messages more effectively. 6. Develop Crisis Communication Protocols: Prepare guidelines for addressing emergencies or negative events to ensure timely, accurate responses and prevent misinformation. 7. Encourage Community Participation: Organize community forums and public feedback sessions to build trust and provide an avenue for citizens to voice their concerns and suggestions. 8. Implement a Feedback System: Establish channels for gathering feedback from both internal staff and the public. This can be through surveys, suggestion boxes, or online forms. 9. Use Data-Driven Communication: Use analytics from social media, website visits, and surveys to understand public sentiment and tailor communication strategies to address areas of interest. 10. Leverage Multi-Channel Communication: Ensure key messages are disseminated through multiple channels, such as radio, television, newspapers, and online platforms, to reach a broad audience.

How to Transition to Development Communications Transitioning to development communications involves leveraging your existing skills while acquiring new knowledge and experience relevant to the development sector. Here's a roadmap to help you make the transition: 1. Understand the Development Sector: Familiarize yourself with the development sector, including key organizations, issues, and initiatives. Research NGOs, international development agencies, and nonprofit organizations to gain insights into their communication strategies and priorities. 2. Identify Transferable Skills: Assess your current skills and identify those that are transferable to development communications. Skills such as strategic planning, writing, media relations, and digital communications are valuable in both corporate and development contexts. 3. Gain Relevant Experience: Seek opportunities to gain relevant experience in development communications. This could involve volunteering with nonprofits, participating in development projects, or taking on freelance projects for organizations in the sector. 4. Build Knowledge: Invest time in learning about development issues, trends, and best practices in communication for social change. Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences related to development communications to expand your knowledge base. 5. Network: Connect with professionals working in development communications to learn from their experiences and insights. Join relevant industry groups, participate in online forums, and attend networking events to expand your network in the development sector. 6. Tailor Your CV and Portfolio: Customize your CV and portfolio to highlight your relevant skills and experiences in both corporate and development communications. Emphasize projects or initiatives that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively for social impact. 7. Consider Further Education: If necessary, consider pursuing further education or certifications in development studies, international relations, or nonprofit management to strengthen your credentials and knowledge in the field. 8. Start Small: Begin by targeting entry-level or mid-level positions in development communications to gain practical experience and establish yourself in the sector. Look for opportunities to contribute your skills and expertise while continuing to learn and grow professionally. 9. Stay Flexible and Open-Minded: Be open to exploring different roles and opportunities within development communications, such as advocacy, fundraising, or program management. Stay flexible and adaptable as you navigate your career transition. 10. Demonstrate Passion and Commitment: Showcase your genuine passion for making a positive impact through communication for social change. Emphasize your commitment to the mission and values of the organizations you're interested in working with. 11. Contact a Career Coach: email victoriaeunice36@gmail.com

Benefits of Assisting in Other Communications Sub-Units Assisting in other communications sub-units is for your benefit as much as it is for the team you are assisting. You get to learn and improve on new skills that are not on your job scope, this is an opportunity for you to diversify your skill set. Most teams are always happy to have an extra pair of hands assisting them, so it’s a win for both parties. This exposure can assist you to branch out into other roles in communications, you can start in internal communications and move to external communications by extending a helping hand to the respective teams. It’s easy to feel as though other teams are “using” you when you do not get direct credit for your contributions. Do not let this discourage you from contributing, focus on your end goal, which learning and diversifying your skill set. Being an all-rounder in communications is key for career development, it gives you more options when you are applying for jobs. At times people graduate from university with a communications qualification and apply broadly for internal and external communications roles, marketing, media relations, social media, etc, and any other role that needs a communication qualification. With this broad search and scarcity of jobs, it is not many people that have a choice on the job that they end up taking. Interviews do not come by easily, so when a person manages to get their foot in the door, they go all in to secure the job. A person can graduate from university knowing that their passion is marketing, but if they get a role in media, chances are they will take it. Get the experience and hone their skills, sometimes they may end up loving the role, and sometimes they continue to apply for their area of passion. Whichever way your career journey unfolds, be open to assisting in other communications sub-units in your organisation, you never know what opportunities may arise from that exposure. #LessonsFromMyCareerJourney #CorporateCommunications

10 Tips for a Smooth Job Hunt in Senior Communications Roles 10. Leverage Your Experience - Highlight your track record in delivering impactful communication strategies. - Focus on successful campaigns, media coverage, or brand transformations. - Tailor your experience to senior-level expectations. 9. Customize Your CV and Portfolio - Adjust your CV for each role, emphasizing leadership experience. - Your portfolio is key—include case studies showing your impact. 8. Activate Your Professional Network - Use your network to open doors. - Engage with industry peers, attend conferences, and reach out to former colleagues. - LinkedIn is critical here—share insights, connect with leaders. 7. Stay Updated on Industry Trends - Keep up with the latest in digital communication, storytelling, and crisis management. - Show how you’ve driven innovation in previous roles. 6. Attend Senior-Level Networking Events - Join high-level conferences, webinars, and industry events. These are great places to meet decision-makers. - Consider speaking at events to showcase your expertise. 5. Craft a Strong Personal Brand - Your personal brand is as important as your qualifications. - Position yourself as a thought leader on LinkedIn. - Share articles, engage in discussions, and offer unique insights. 4. Prepare for Strategic Conversations - Interviews for senior roles focus on your strategic thinking. - Be ready to discuss how you’ve aligned communication strategies with business goals. 3. Showcase Leadership and Collaboration - Highlight your ability to lead cross-functional teams. - Use examples that demonstrate how you build relationships across departments. 2. Keep Your Digital Skills Sharp - Emphasize your experience with digital platforms, social media strategy, and content optimization. - If you’ve led digital transformations, make that a key point. 1. Follow Up Thoughtfully - Send a thoughtful follow-up email after applying or interviewing. - Reinforce your interest and offer extra value—whether it’s a recent article or insight relevant to the role. Email: victoriaeunice36@gmail.com for CV writing services

I'm a Corporate Communications expert. Did you have a reaction to the word "expert?" when I stated it. What if I asked you to state that YOU are an expert in (insert your Comms. field of specialty). Does it make you feel nervous? Do you think you sound arrogant? Do you immediately want to change the word expert to something else? Definition of expert: a person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area. Hmmm ... This sounds like me when it comes to the areas Corporate Communications covers - Strategic Planning, PR, Internal Comms, Executive Comms, Crisis Comms, etc. I don't shy away from calling myself an expert. Also, it doesn't mean I don't still have things to learn. Expertise and Growth Mindset are not mutually exclusive. Women in particular are told to never celebrate wins, or share their own knowledge as an "expert." "I think" or "I believe" are often stated out loud because we are taught to question our own knowledge. It's simply an "informed opinion." As a woman, you must ALWAYS BE HUMBLE.. And that's a word I have a hard time with ... humble ... because it's used as a weapon to keep women small. Someone didn't like a post I wrote and sarcastically commented that I sound "really humble." There it is. Don't assert your expertise. Stay small. Be humble. Go unnoticed. F**k that noise. Women are taught to never celebrate wins, talk about expertise, or are modeled presenting expertise as opinion. This can hurt women's careers in a massive way. But at least you'll be humble; right? No. That's not being humble. That's being silenced. When we do this, we then get overlooked. No one sees our expertise and critical contributions because we learn to NOT talk about it and just go around hoping others will notice. Consider this permission to assert your expertise. When it comes to this field, others are entitled to their opinion about comms., you are entitled to your expertise. You can have a growth mindset of consistent learning AND claim expertise in your field. Being an expert is GOOD. It's authoritative. It's informed. It's TRUE. And you can assert this expertise without being an arrogant a-hole. You never graduate in this industry and that's part of its beauty, chaos, and fun. But there is a point where you are an expert not an opinion-holder. Claim it. P.S. - By the way, this is Tara McDonagh here. Raise the Tide program founder and CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS EXPERT! Yes, I'm shouting that loud #Communications #CorporateCommunications #InternalCommunications #PublicRelations

Looking forward to being on the panel at next week's FREE CIPR Education & Skills Group event on strategic thinking and communications strategy. The event is on 17th October from 12.30 - 1.30pm and its for anyone working in education marketing, PR or communications - you don't have to be a CIPR member. The topic is 'How to be more strategic' in response to feedback from CIPR members. I've been pondering whether 'being more strategic' or being SEEN as more strategic is the issue here. Would love to know your thoughts? My take on this is: It's about being SEEN, utilised and VALUED as strategic thinkers and leaders. Most comms folk and certainly most senior communications professionals can write a communications strategy. Yet many I know are frustrated at not being fully utilised as a strategic function in their large organisation. They are often stuck in the day to day, tactical, promotional, short term work to hit recruitment targets or manage comms issues. Sometimes there is no demand from colleagues for communications practitioners to contribute at an earlier stage in business decisions. They find themselves in a place where their role is to communicate or promote what has already been decided rather than having a seat at the research, discussion or decision tables that influence broader business strategies or enable them to link in better with the strategies of other functions and internal stakeholders. This can restrict the impact that the marketing or communications function has on income and reputation, and means the teams the organisation has invested in, can't work to their full potential. Career wise, this can also lead to a 'glass ceiling' situation where some very talented comms professionals stay at the top of their game, but firmly 'in their lane' rather than taking that next step into broader senior leadership. In my experience, writing a strategy and being strategic aren't the same thing. Being strategic means being perceived as strategic and that doesn't happen automatically based on a job title or job function. No doubt there will be some great top tips and conversation about all of this from brilliant fellow panel members Sapreena Kumari, Emma Leech ChartPR FCIPR CMktr FCIM CMgr FCMI FIoD FIIC and Ben Verinder, chaired by Anne Nicholls The event is next Thursday, 17th October between 12.30 and 1.30 and is free whether you are a CIPR member or not! If you'd like to come along, please message me and I'll send you the link to register!

Couldn't agree more with this post! Working in communications is indeed tough, and often misunderstood. But there's one point I want to highlight is being a great communicator isn't just about getting your point across. It's also about being a great listener. The best communicators I know aren't just skilled at expressing their ideas but they're also open to hearing others out, supporting, and lifting up those around them. They recognize that communication is a two-way street, and true success comes from understanding and connecting with others. So yes, let's celebrate each other's wins and continue to build a community where we grow together. And let's remember that listening is just as important as speaking. #Communication #Leadership #Support

A new Page Society report makes the case for the elevated role of corporate communications with management. The corporate communications or public relations function was elevated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Communications leaders participated in management meetings and addressed a wide range of issues, from public health emergencies to mental health and public relations challenges.   I described this shift in a paper for the Government Communication Service in 2020. My doctoral study at Leeds Business School is focused on whether this elevated role can be sustained and consolidated. The new Page report supports this argument. It identifies geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, societal shifts and heightened stakeholder expectations as the drivers of these changes. The transformation sees the chief communications officer (CCO) expanding their responsibilities to include sustainability, public affairs and brand management, integrating advanced technologies to enhance engagement and playing a role in crisis management and ethical stewardship. These changes are driving change within the corporate communications function. The report sets out four areas: 1.         CCOs are rising to the challenge CCOs are embracing expanded roles that include sustainability, public affairs, and brand management, thereby integrating themselves deeply into strategic decision-making processes.   2.         Broadened scope of responsibilities This expansion enables CCOs to drive comprehensive strategies that align corporate actions with broader societal values and stakeholder expectations, fostering trust and long-term success.   3.         Technology and the function Technology transforms how CCOs engage with stakeholders by enabling more personalised, data-driven, and efficient communication strategies. These technologies provide deeper insights and facilitate more effective and ethical decision-making processes.   4.         Teams are not yet suited to new demands As the role of CCOs expands to include new areas such as sustainability and advanced technology, there is a need for investment in team development, technology, and well-being. My view is that corporate communications is the only management function with a relationship perspective of an organisation. This position is uniquely based on an internal and external context and a balance of emotional and intellectual intelligence. CCOs create societal value through environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical governance, ensuring corporate actions support broader societal values. The report argues that CCOs must build on this opportunity by championing multistakeholder engagement to align organisational actions with diverse stakeholder needs, fostering trust and sustainable practices.