What do you do if you want to enhance your career prospects in strategic communications?

1 Assess your strengths and gaps

The first step to enhance your career prospects in strategic communications is to assess your current skills and identify your strengths and gaps. You can use online tools, such as the Strategic Communication Competency Model from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), to evaluate your proficiency in different areas, such as research, planning, implementation, evaluation, ethics, and leadership. You can also ask for feedback from your colleagues, managers, clients, or mentors to get an external perspective on your performance and areas for improvement.

2 Set your goals and plan your development

Once you have a clear picture of your strengths and gaps, you can set your goals and plan your development. You can use the SMART framework to make your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, you can set a goal to improve your writing skills by taking an online course, reading books and articles, and practicing daily for three months. You can also plan your development by identifying the resources, activities, and support you need to achieve your goals. For example, you can enroll in a course, join a professional network, find a mentor, or seek new opportunities to apply your skills.

3 Keep up with trends and best practices

Another way to enhance your career prospects in strategic communications is to keep up with the trends and best practices in your field and industry. You can follow the news, blogs, podcasts, webinars, and social media accounts of reputable sources, such as the IABC, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), or the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP). You can also subscribe to newsletters, magazines, or journals that cover the latest research, insights, and case studies in strategic communications. By staying informed and updated, you can learn from the experts, adapt to the changing environment, and innovate in your work.

5 Seek feedback and mentoring

The final tip to enhance your career prospects in strategic communications is to seek feedback and mentoring. You can ask for feedback from your clients, stakeholders, or peers on your work quality, impact, and areas for improvement. You can also use tools, such as surveys, analytics, or reports, to measure and evaluate your results and outcomes. Furthermore, you can seek mentoring from someone who has more experience, knowledge, or skills in strategic communications. You can find a mentor within your organization, industry, or network, or through online platforms, such as MentorNet or The Muse. By seeking feedback and mentoring, you can learn from your mistakes, successes, and others, and grow as a strategic communicator.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?