Communications is a fast-paced, interactive and rewarding field. With opportunities from marketing to networking, newcomers will never be bored, and the learning opportunities are virtually endless. However, comms majors fresh out of college and those looking to make a career change into the space may dive headfirst into their responsibilities without understanding the most common pitfalls or keys to success in the industry.
Below, 14 members of Forbes Communications Council members offer their best advice for early-stage communications professionals trying to make it in the field.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Focus On Reinvention And Trust
Every communicator should focus on four key truths. First, reinvention is the only constant. Second, trust is critical—credibility (or lack thereof) will define the winners and losers. Third, technology will fundamentally change our profession; we have to be flexible to adapt our approach and message. Last, Gen-Z will make up more than one-third of the planet’s population in three years. We need to engage differently. - Alexis Williams, Stagwell
2. Lean Into Your Unique Perspective
You have a unique perspective that allows you to look at communications and not just implement things “the way they’ve always been done.” Use that to your advantage! Try totally off-the-wall things, volunteer to explore new channels, ask an almost annoying number of questions and take a genuine interest in the people you’re communicating with day in and day out. - Jamie Bell, Workshop | Internal Marketing & Communications Platform
3. Learn How To Influence People
Today’s early-stage comms pros have it harder than ever, with endless platforms and channels to learn and choose from. However, the most critical of all comms components haven’t changed: people. Knowing how to influence people is paramount; listen, understand and work on your copywriting craft. This is put into practice in Dale Carnegie’s legendary book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. - Nestor Makarigakis, MISTRAS Group, Inc.
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4. Cultivate A Network
Begin by forging relationships with work colleagues. Make it a point to connect with other communications professionals who are focused on different areas of the practice. Join a local networking organization, participate in its offerings and broaden your network from there. Our field widens every day, and the knowledge of the community is a key resource for early-stage professionals. - Kristen Delphos, UL Research Institutes
5. Find An Industry Niche
Find an industry niche, learn everything you can about the challenges, needs and wants of that niche, and be able to succinctly and creatively communicate this on various platforms. Mentors in these industries are anxious to work with new entrants, so always leverage them as you can. - Caroline Lyle, Driven-Brands.com
6. Develop Working Relationships At All Levels
New communicators should focus on developing internal and external company relationships at all levels. Communication is as much about the reader as it is about the writer. The skills used to establish relationships are similar to those needed for effective communication. Establishing a relationship requires listening, empathy and engagement, which are strong fundamentals in building a career. - Deetricha Younger, Deetricha Younger, LLC
7. Be Bold, Take Risks And Present Yourself Well
Be bold, and don’t be discouraged by a job description. If you see your dream position, but you are slightly underqualified, go for it anyway. What matters most is how you present your skills and experience. My personal philosophy is to hire people and talents, not positions or titles. And don’t forget to physically mail a handwritten note after a job interview to stand out from the crowd. - Mike Neumeier, Arketi Group
8. Learn Each Executive Stakeholder’s Tone
Every executive has their own unique voice and tone, in both written communications and the spoken word. Pay close attention to edits made by an executive stakeholder to the comms you draft on their behalf to learn their tone. Emulate that style of writing in the future to cut down on rounds of feedback and review time. - Merrily McGugan, WorkTango
9. Learn Your Customers’ Pain Points
My son is now studying marketing in college, and his generation is very skeptical of all marketing. It’s okay to bring that into your job, but also be open to learning the pain points of your customers. It’s your job to work with them to solve these challenges. Be a sponge to learn what works and what doesn’t. What are best practices, and how can you use those ideas? - Lori Stafford-Thomas, Degreed
10. Know Your Audience Before You Start Writing
The biggest and most basic communication advice is to know your audience before you start writing. What is important to them? What problem do they have? What do they think now? What do you want them to think? What motivates them? What action do you want them to take? Nail all of that down before you even start. - Michelle Bank, Nuspire
11. Learn When And How To Filter Yourself
Effective communicators have highly developed social skills that allow them to modulate their expressions and feelings. You’ve got to understand your audience to communicate with them in a way that sparks connection and collaboration. It’s also critical to maintain a sense of professionalism and decorum. Always avoid unnecessary conflict in the workplace. - Irene Froehlich, DrFirst, Inc.
12. Don’t Be Afraid To Get Your Hands Dirty
While you want to listen and learn, you should also take risks when you’re the new kid on the block. You shouldn’t do anything drastic, but make it clear to your team that you know how to get the job done and aren't afraid to experiment to do so. Come up with new ideas or create new processes. If you see results, people won’t question how you got there. - Yael Klass, Similarweb Ltd.
13. Always Rely On Data To Back You Up
Data-driven decisions are your best friend. It’s not you claiming TikTok is beating Google; it’s the data. When you need to make recommendations and pitch ideas to leadership, they can doubt you all day long. It’s a lot harder to argue with data you’re bringing forward to support your ideas. - Zachary Hardison, Questline Digital
14. Don’t Rush Into The Role
Take your time to understand the company and align yourself with the business goals. Talk to as many stakeholders as possible and find out their pain points. You will see that there are many areas where you could assist them. Lastly, always think about what you want to achieve within the next 12 months and areas you want to learn more about in order to enhance your skills. - Anthony Wong, Attensi
