Become a Communications Officer
Practise the core work of a communications officer: editing a sensitive story, handling a crisis and approving brand work.
Each module has short lessons with a check question, then a graded simulation. About 4 hours in total, at your own pace.
- Module 1: Edit the budget story before the vote
A tired reporter has filed the council budget story six hours before deadline. Check every figure, decide what to do with a single anonymous allegation against a named councillor, get the right of reply right, and correct the record when a reader finds a flaw.
- Module 2: The glass in the juice video
A mother's video of glass in your best selling juice is spreading, a second customer has posted a photo, a supermarket wants an answer by one, and the managing director wants to say the product is completely safe. Read the situation, issue a careful holding statement, and communicate the recall when it comes.
- Module 3: Approve the co-branded packaging
A licensing partner wants its co-branded cereal bar pack approved before a printer's slot. The logo is too small, the partner's logo too big, the bar is short of fibre for its high fibre claim and short of granola for its made with claim. Review it, decide, and hold the claims when the launch date is used as pressure.
Skills you will practice
- Applying policy and approval limits
- Checking advertising claims
- Checking artwork before print
- Checking evidence and records
- Closing the loop on feedback
- Communication
- Editing copy before publication
- Fact-checking a story
- Giving constructive feedback
- Handling a brand crisis
- Handling a media inquiry
- Handling a product recall
- Handling difficult conversations
- Keeping records others can use
- Knowing your authority limits
- Managing stakeholder expectations
- Saying no with reasons
- Separating fact from opinion
- Tracking contract obligations
- Writing a press release
- Written communication
Frequently asked questions
What is a Skill Path?
A Skill Path is a short course built around real work. Each module has two or three short lessons, then a simulation where you do the job in a fictional company. Your work in each simulation is graded against a rubric.
How long does a Skill Path take?
Most Skill Paths take three to five hours in total. You can stop at any point and pick up where you left off. There are no deadlines.
What do I get when I finish?
When every simulation in the path is complete and graded, you earn a FinderK credential. It lists the work you did and the skills it shows. You can keep it private or share a link to it, for example on LinkedIn.
How much does a Skill Path cost?
Some Skill Paths are included with FinderK Plus, which has a free trial. Others are sold once at a fixed price and stay yours. You can read the first module's lessons for free before you decide.
Do I need experience?
No. Each path states its level. Beginner paths assume no previous experience in the role, and the lessons explain the ideas you need before each simulation.