The marketing field is a creative and fast-growing industry. It requires critical and creative skills that can make a real impact whether it is for a startup, executive companies, or your own personal businesses.
However, you’re probably wondering how to actually get into a marketing job? With many marketing jobs expecting years of experience, you’re probably scratching your head about where you can start. Here is a complete guide on how to get a job in marketing.
Learn About Marketing
This is an obvious first step. Everyone who is an expert in something is continuously learning. You need to learn about marketing and the different facets that it requires. Many people major in marketing in college for this knowledge, but you don’t necessarily need a marketing degree to work in this industry.
There are various niche areas of marketing: digital marketing, email campaigns, content strategy, SEO campaigns, data analytics, white pages, advertising, and other strategies. See which sector of the marketing word intrigues you the most then start diving into learning the ropes.
There are a couple of platforms where you can learn online about marketing.
- LinkedIn Learning
- SkillShare
- Lynda
- Udemy
Check out some or all of these different platforms to learn more about marketing. Each one has a free trial if you’re signing up for the first time. This way you can utilize that time to learn valuable information.
Learning doesn’t always have to be online either. Here are some podcasts to listen to in order to continue your learning journey for marketing:
- Content Lab: a weekly show full of shenanigans and candid conversations with fellow content marketers who want
- MarketHer: this podcast is for empowering women in their fields and careers in marketing.
- Creator’s Block: a conversation style podcast that discusses all the marketing tools and tips.
- The Film School Marketer’s Podcast: The hosts stay share insights on content strategy, video, and production.
With background knowledge or even a degree, you can start looking for real experience in the world of marketing.
Get Experience in the Marketing Field
Look for opportunities to get your feet wet in marketing. Whether it’s already at the job you work at, ask if you can partner on doing social media outreach for free. Showcase the skills you’ve learned already related to marketing. This is a great opportunity to sell yourself.
You can start where you are. Does your job have a social media page? A blog? If not ask if you can start one for your company. You can negotiate payment or maybe just start out for free.
If you find that you can’t get experience through your workplace, see if you can start with some basic projects like a couple of freelance gigs on Fivver or Upwork.
This is only to get you started or have something to demonstrate in your portfolio. This will help boost your credibility and people will be able to see that you know what you’re doing.
Create a Website To Showcase Your Marketing Talents
Having a website makes it real. If you have your own website it shows potential employers or clients that you have done the work and are an official professional. You can buy a domain for cheap through Godaddy.com. There are tons of online platforms to make your website for free under such as:
- WordPress
- Wix
- Squarespace
Investing in a website domain will take your career and your website to the next level.
Go ahead and just start, you can always turn back and make it an official domain when you have the money. However, don’t let the lack of financial flow stop you from making a website.
This is also a good opportunity to build your LinkedIn profile as well and showcase your skills on there, so employers can also see your work.
Build Your Brand
It takes time to make a name and make yourself visible and public on the blogosphere. Coming up with a content schedule and being able to craft your blog posts or your social media presence takes time, energy, and consistent effort.
Take the time to understand the ins and outs of your chosen marketing niche. You’re going to want to follow other blogs that will demonstrate what kind of content you can create. You want to remain authentic, however. Write your posts with your own unique flare and your own perspective. A blog can become your own small business with hard work.
You should use your own marketing skills that you’ve learned to ensure that you can effectively grow your blog and niche. With this experience, you can prove to employers that you have knowledge on how to establish and grow your personal brand. That knowledge can translate to helping them grow their brand as well, landing you a job in a marketing department.
Apply and Follow Up
Take the time to set up your profiles on different job search engines. Take the time to build your LinkedIn, your Indeed, and your Glassdoor profiles.
On your LinkedIn, it is important that you place the job title that you are interested in pursuing in your headline. This way, employers will be able to find you when they are searching for someone with that specific job description. This will help you get noticed and land a job in marketing.
Adjust your profiles to optimize your ability to get a job in marketing. A lot of different platforms have what is called an Easy Apply or an Instant Apply.
However, be sure to set up a cover letter for each of the jobs that you are applying for. Take some time to follow up with each of the jobs you apply to unless they state otherwise. Use LinkedIn or search the company’s website to find out who the Human Resources manager is and go ahead and email them to follow up.
Don’t be afraid to apply to internships either – these can be a great way to get your foot in the door while you are working your way up.
If you hear back, be prepared for an interview! Beef up on common marketing manager interview questions, and have your answers ready. Always present yourself confidently in your interviews.
Be Persistent
The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you will land a job in marketing. Keep pushing and doing the work. If you follow these guidelines, you are sure to land a job in marketing!
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