Use this template
Add your own experience and make this layout yours.
marketing
Director of Communications
Resume Example
4.5 / 5
Why This Template Works
This resume format works well for ATS optimization because it clearly outlines Laura Martinez's professional experience and skills using relevant keywords and concise, action-oriented language. The inclusion of specific achievements in crisis communication demonstrates her ability to handle high-pressure situations effectively. Additionally, the use of bullet points to list responsibilities and accomplishments makes the information easy to scan for both human readers and automated systems.
Instant Resume Score
Check Your Director of Corporate Communications Resume Score
Upload your resume for an instant ATS score and practical, role-specific improvements.
- No Signup Required
- Private by Default
- Usually under 30 sec
Your resume
One step to your resume score
Add your resume to run a free score and get prioritized fixes.
How to Write This Resume
Expert guidelines and best practices for each section of your resume.
01
Contact
Contact
First Name Last Name City, State, Zip Code Phone Number | Email Address LinkedIn Profile URL | Portfolio URL (Optional)
General Guidelines
Your contact information is the first section recruiters see. Keep it concise and professional. Ensure your email address is appropriate (e.g., [email protected]). Include your LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive view of your professional journey. A portfolio or personal website is recommended for creative, technical, or design roles.
Avoid This
Do not include your full physical address (street number/name) for privacy reasons. Avoid including personal details like marital status, age, photo, or social security number unless specifically required in your country. Do not use unprofessional email addresses.
Real Examples
Don't
John Doe 1234 Random St, Apt 56 New York, NY 10001 [email protected] github.com/aliciacode Single, 28 years old
Do
John Doe New York, NY (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/johndoe | johndoe.com
Quick Tips
- Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
- Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional
- Double-check your phone number and email for typos
- Make your LinkedIn URL custom (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
02
Summary
Summary
Professional Title Result-oriented [Role Name] with [Number] years of experience in [Key Skills/Industries]. Proven track record of [Major Achievement]. Skilled in [Key Technologies/Skills]. Committed to delivering [Specific Value] for [Target Industry/Company type].
General Guidelines
A professional summary is your elevator pitch. It should be 3-5 sentences long, summarizing your experience, key skills, and major achievements. Tailor it to the job description by using relevant keywords. Focus on what makes you unique and the value you bring to potential employers.
Avoid This
Avoid generic objectives like 'Looking for a challenging role to grow my skills.' Recruiters want to know what value you bring to them, not what you want from them. Don't use first-person pronouns (I, me, my). Keep it concise and impactful.
Real Examples
Compare a weak objective with a strong professional summary.
Don't
Objective: I am a hard-working individual looking for a Director of Communications position where I can learn new things and advance my career.
Do
Director of Communications with 8 years of experience leading corporate messaging, media relations, employee communications, and crisis response. Built communication plans for executives, legal, HR, and product teams, improving message consistency across internal and external channels.
Quick Tips
- Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., 'Increased revenue by 20%')
- Keep it under 5 lines for readability
- Use strong action verbs to start sentences
- Tailor the summary to match the job description
03
Skills
Skills
Communications Skills - Crisis communication, media relations, executive messaging, internal communications, stakeholder management Tools - Media monitoring, CMS, email platforms, analytics dashboards, collaboration tools
General Guidelines
Group your skills logically (e.g., Languages, Frameworks, Tools). Focus on hard skills relevant to the job. List skills in order of proficiency or relevance. Soft skills are better demonstrated through bullet points in your experience section rather than a bare list.
Avoid This
Do not list skills you are not comfortable using in an interview. Avoid using progress bars or percentages to rate your skills (e.g., "Java: 80%"). Do not include outdated technologies unless specifically required.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for skills
Don't
C++: Intermediate, Python: Basic, JavaScript: Expert
Do
Media relations, crisis communication, executive messaging, internal communications, stakeholder briefings, media monitoring, CMS, email platform analytics
Quick Tips
- Group communication skills by function, such as media relations, crisis response, employee communications, and executive messaging.
- Include tools only when they support the role, such as media monitoring, CMS, email marketing, analytics, or project management platforms.
- Avoid broad labels like communication skills unless you name the specific communication discipline.
- Reflect seniority by including planning, coaching, approvals, measurement, and cross-functional leadership.
04
Experience
Experience
Job Title | Company Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Action Verb + Context + Result (Quantified) - Led [Project] resulting in [Outcome]... - Collaborated with [Team] to implement [Feature]...
General Guidelines
This is the core of your resume. Use reverse-chronological order (most recent first). Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Focus on achievements and impact, not just duties. Use numbers to quantify your impact (dollars, percentages, time saved, users affected). Show progression and increasing responsibility.
Avoid This
Avoid passive language like "Responsible for..." or "Tasked with...". Don't list every single daily task; focus on significant contributions and measurable outcomes. Avoid jargon that recruiters outside your field won't understand.
Real Examples
Don't
Managed communications department ensuring smooth operations
Do
Built a crisis communication playbook for security incidents, including approval workflows, media holding statements, customer FAQs, and internal talking points.
Don't
Handled media inquiries for company events and press releases
Do
Coordinated media briefings, executive talking points, and cross-functional launch updates so priority announcements stayed consistent across channels.
Quick Tips
- Use action verbs like 'Led', 'Developed', 'Implemented' to showcase your leadership and initiative.
- Focus on quantifiable achievements such as percentage improvements in public perception or engagement rates.
- Describe complex projects concisely but comprehensively, highlighting your strategic role.
- Avoid vague statements; be specific about outcomes and the impact of your work.
05
Education
Education
Degree Name | University Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2] - Honors/Awards: [Award Name] - GPA: X.X (if above 3.5)
General Guidelines
List your highest degree first. If you have significant work experience, keep the education section brief. Include your GPA only if it is above 3.5 or if you are a recent graduate. Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, honors, or leadership roles.
Avoid This
Do not include high school details if you have a college degree. Avoid listing every single course you took; select only the most relevant ones. Don't include graduation dates from decades ago if age discrimination is a concern in your field.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for educations
Don't
High School Name, Location - Month Year – Month Year - GPA: X.X (not relevant) - Courses: English Literature, Algebra, Geometry
Do
Bachelor of Arts in Communications | San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA September 2013 – May 2017 - Relevant Coursework: Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Media Studies - Honors/Awards: Dean's List
Quick Tips
- Start with your most recent or highest degree and work backwards.
- Focus on degrees that are directly relevant to the job you're applying for.
- Include only those honors or awards that add value to your candidacy, such as high GPAs or prestigious scholarships.
- Keep details concise but informative; avoid lengthy descriptions of every course taken.
06
Projects
Projects
Project Name | Tools/Technologies Used - Briefly describe what you created and its purpose - Highlight specific challenges you solved - Link to portfolio or demo if available
General Guidelines
Projects are excellent for demonstrating practical skills, especially if you lack work experience or are changing careers. Include a link to your portfolio or demo if possible. Focus on projects that show problem-solving skills and relevant tools for the target role.
Avoid This
Don't include trivial tutorials unless you significantly expanded on them. Avoid projects that are outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant to the role you're applying for. Don't just list technologies—explain what you created and why it matters.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for projects
Don't
Built a basic blog using WordPress, added posts about travel experiences, no link provided.
Do
Led a nonprofit digital engagement workshop series covering campaign calendars, audience messaging, and donor updates; helped teams create clearer outreach plans for community programs.
Quick Tips
- Choose projects that demonstrate your ability to solve real-world communication challenges, such as crisis management or digital strategy development.
- Detail the tools and technologies you used in each project to give hiring managers a clear idea of your proficiency level with relevant software and platforms.
- Provide specific metrics or outcomes whenever possible, like increased engagement rates, improved public perception scores, or positive media coverage changes.
- If applicable, include links to live demos or portfolio pages where recruiters can see the projects in action. This adds credibility and showcases your work effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this role and how to best present it on your resume.
Focus on leadership across media relations, executive messaging, crisis communication, internal communications, and stakeholder alignment. Use bullets that show how your work improved message clarity, response speed, reputation management, or campaign execution.
Tie each bullet to work you can support: teams led, channels managed, communication plans built, launches supported, or crisis processes improved. Use metrics only when they are accurate and easy to explain in an interview.
Useful keywords include corporate communications, crisis communication, media relations, executive communications, internal communications, stakeholder management, public relations, change communication, and thought leadership.
Show a clear path from managing content or media work to owning strategy, advising leaders, coordinating cross-functional teams, and guiding communication during higher-stakes business moments.
Your Next Interview is Just One Resume Away
Create a professional, optimized resume in minutes. No design skills needed—just proven results.
Beat the 75% ATS Rejection Rate
3 out of 4 resumes never reach a human eye. Our keyword optimization increases your pass rate by up to 80%, ensuring recruiters actually see your potential.