If you’re considering a marketing career then you should be aware that the term 'marketing' actually covers a very wide field of disciplines, so you should have an idea of which areas you’re most interested in.
It’s worth looking at the websites of marketing companies, as many of them go into detail about the type of work they do and what it involves - look at the global website for instance and you can learn a fair bit about how SMS marketing works. Also, consider the types of clients you’d like to work with - worldwide megabrands, or small, local and independent businesses that could use some help to succeed. That also may help to determine your career trajectory.
Here are a few tips to give you the best chance of landing your dream marketing job…
Be Organised
So much of successful marketing involves putting out the right kind of content at the right time, and responding to events in a timely fashion. Proving that you are an organised person, such as by demonstrating how you balanced a job with sports team responsibilities and studies at university, or simply arriving for your interview on time will help to persuade an employer that you can be trusted in charge of the marketing calendar.
Use LinkedIn
The value of LinkedIn as a networking and job-seeking tool cannot be overstated. Pay close attention to developing a professional profile, listing your qualifications and updating your experience regularly with any new responsibilities. LinkedIn has some of the most stringent protocols of any social networking sites, as you might expect given how many CEOs and CFOs from multinational companies are floating about the place. Pay close attention to the rules, both written and unwritten, of making contact, but don’t be afraid to send out personal messages and introduce yourself either. This is a great way to make initial pitches, and build connections that may one day result in your ideal career.
Show Your Creativity
Marketing is all about creativity, so do some research into the companies you’d like to work for, and the brands they work with. Which of their campaigns do you really think are effective? Come up with some ideas yourself about which directions a client could go in future, and look for an opportunity to mention them during the interview. Something like this may appear as a question at some point anyway, so it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for it.
Volunteer
Obviously the more experience you have, the better your chances of getting the job. If you’re struggling to find paid employment that’s relevant to what you want to do, why not see if there are any small companies in your area that you can volunteer with to pick up some experience and references? It shows ingenuity and a passion to progress, and if there is already a marketing team within the company then you can also learn a few new skills.
Don’t Take Setbacks Personally
Marketing is an extremely competitive industry, so the chances are you’ll have to face quite a few knockbacks before you get where you want to be. Learn from your mistakes, and take feedback onboard. Try and connect with interviewers on LinkedIn because if you made a good impression but just weren’t quite right for the role, you can be first in line when they start advertising other vacancies. Tweak your CV to ensure it matches the requirements of every job you apply for as closely as possible, and remember to soak up every bit of experience, knowledge or connection that comes your way!
Look Beyond London
Many marketing graduates are drawn to London as though the streets are still paved with gold, but while there are of course plenty of opportunities there, it can be hard to get noticed. Plus, if you haven’t heard, the cost of living there can be a little steep. There are now lots of successful marketing agencies with prestigious client lists scattered around the UK, so don’t be too focused on working in the capital.