Mastering Your Career in Internal Communications: A Strategic Playbook

Our recent webinar, How to Build a Successful Career in Internal Communications: Insights from an IC Recruiter, enlightened communicators on how they can build a successful career in internal communications.

The expert insights provided by our speakers with years of experience in the industry, Andrew Harvey, CEO of VMA GROUP, and Joss Mathieson, CEO of Change Oasis, stress the importance of strategic career planning to thrive in the internal communications field.

The conversation started with a discussion of the competitiveness of the job market, noting from VMA GROUP research that 77% of IC professionals will be job-seeking in 2025. This point was raised to reflect on the increasing need to stand out in the job market by acquiring knowledge and skills that align with senior leaders' expectations. Broadening one's understanding of business aspects beyond just technical communication details is a strategic way to drive organizational culture and business outcomes.

Articulating the future of internal communication, the speakers brought into focus the widened expectations of internal communication professionals. CEOs now require them to have a holistic understanding of communications, be up-to-date with sector knowledge, grasp the competitive landscape, and align communication activities with the organization's objectives. One essential aspect discussed, which is expected to bring about a significant impact, is the role of AI in organizations. The speakers advocated for internal communicators to embrace AI to enhance productivity and creativity, yet emphasized the importance of retaining human qualities like empathy in communication.

The webinar highlighted several data-backed strategies to help internal communicators understand and optimize their roles. One such strategy is DIAL (Data Insight Action Learning), referred to as key in achieving strategic impact and measuring business impact.

Further, to establish a successful career in internal communications, the speakers emphasized strategic self-upgrading. They highlight the need to create a personal learning and development plan, be proactive in networking, and benchmark oneself against successful peers. They underlined the connection between personal development and organizational success. Furthermore, Andrew Harvey brought up how in an interview scenario, it's crucial to differentiate yourself by showcasing your unique attributes, making you stand out as the ideal candidate. Those who have focused on professional development stand a better chance at landing the job.

Leveraging technological resources was another crucial aspect discussed during the webinar. Embracing internal comms trends, best practices, and innovation, as well as cultivating a habit of constant learning with resources such as webinars, blogs, and research papers will significantly help in career development in internal communications.

The conversation broached the topic of transitioning from a consultative role to internal communications, shedding light on various factors such as time and effort in job searching, interview preparation, and networking. The consensus was that broader experience is an advantage, and building connections in any capacity, be it small meetings or one-on-one discussions, is imperative in this field.

The speakers also shed light on the impact of technology on various aspects of business. Skills like agile methodologies and change management are now more relevant than ever in the evolving business landscape. Also, they emphasized that linking company culture and internal communication to business performance and using the language that resonates with the leaders is crucial in gaining attention and achieving objectives.

All through the engaging discussion, our speakers emphasized the need for continual learning and urged everyone, especially newcomers to the field, to stay curious. In a nutshell, the webinar illustrated the crucial components of establishing and flourishing in a career in internal communications, focusing on strategic career planning, lifelong learning, rising to current business demands, and utilizing available resources effectively.

Always remember, in the ever-evolving world of internal communication, where best practices, innovation, and business objectives are fluid, staying informed and prepared will give you an edge. Hence, strive continually to broaden your knowledge, enhance skills, and stay adaptable to technological advancements.

The learnings from this webinar provide valuable insights for both existing professionals and newcomers in the field. To watch the full webinar on-demand, click here.