In the early stages of a communications career, it’s common to accumulate experience through short-term projects from internships, freelance contracts, temporary roles, or volunteering. While these opportunities help you build your skills and portfolio, they often come with an underlying question:
How do I convert all of this into a stable, long-term role?
Whether you’re seeking security, professional growth, or a deeper sense of belonging, the shift from short-term gigs to a full-time communications position is entirely possible. But it takes more than just applying for open roles; it requires intentional positioning and confidence in the value you bring.
Here’s a guide to making the transition and doing so with clarity.
1. Reposition Your Experience
One of the biggest things that holds people back during this transition is how they talk about their journey. It’s easy to look at a scattered timeline and feel like it’s not “enough.”
But the truth is, short-term gigs often build the sharpest skills. You learn to adapt quickly. You work with limited resources & you handle a variety of challenges, sometimes all at once.
Instead of downplaying them, reframe them:
- “Managed social media content for a nonprofit campaign with over 10,000 impressions in two weeks.”
- “Led copywriting for a three-part product launch series on a contract basis.”
Even if the titles were freelance, intern, or assistant, focus on your contributions and outcomes. Hiring managers want to know what you can do, not just how long you did it.
- Group Your Experience by Skill, Not Just Timeline
When you’ve had multiple gigs in a short span, listing them all out can make your CV look fragmented. Instead, group your experience by skill or function.
Example:
COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS (2022 – 2024)
- Wrote 20+ social media captions for 3 brands
- Designed content calendars and copy for small businesses
- Drafted press releases and email newsletters for non-profit campaigns
This approach demonstrates both focus and consistency while avoiding the impression of job-hopping.
- Show Evidence of Long-Term Thinking
Employers hiring for permanent communications roles want to see that you’re not just capable, you’re committed.
Use your cover letter and interviews to convey:
- Why you’re now seeking a long-term opportunity
- What stability will allow you to build or deepen
- How your varied experience has clarified the kind of impact you want to make
Example:
“After building a strong foundation across contract and project-based roles, I’m now looking to apply my experience in a long-term setting where I can contribute to larger strategic goals, collaborate within a team, and grow in-depth brand communications expertise.”
- Create a Proof-Driven Portfolio
One of the best ways to move into a long-term role is to show the quality of your work. If some of your previous projects weren’t fully visible or public, consider compiling a personal portfolio with:
- Sample campaigns or mock-ups
- Writing samples (social copy, press releases, blog articles)
- Case studies from past clients or projects
Where possible, include outcomes or metrics to support the value you delivered.
- Leverage Your Network
You might not have a “traditional” career path, but you’ve likely met amazing people during your gigs.
Tap into that:
- Ask for LinkedIn recommendations
- Request testimonials to use in your portfolio
- Inform your past clients or managers that you’re exploring full-time opportunities
- Request testimonials or LinkedIn recommendations
Even a brief project can leave a lasting impression and past collaborators often become your strongest advocates. Whereas a warm referral often gets more attention than a cold application.
6. Improve Visibility and Positioning
Finally, make sure your online presence reflects the kind of role you’re aiming for.
- Update your LinkedIn headline and summary to reflect your long-term goals
- Share insights from your projects or thought pieces relevant to communications
- Highlight consistent themes across your freelance work, such as writing, strategy, campaign planning, or digital storytelling.
Remember: positioning is perception. Present yourself as someone with depth, focus, and growth potential, not just someone between gigs.
Moving from short-term gigs to a long-term communications role is less about reinventing yourself and more about repositioning what you’ve already done. You have experience. You’ve done the work. And if you need support along the way, we created The Comms Accelerator Course to help professionals like you build a structured strategy and land roles that reflect your full potential.
You can take the next step here.
