Tips for Those Seeking a Career in Marketing
By Devin Morrissey
The field of marketing is broad and always changing. New technology and new ideas mean that marketers need to always stay up-to-date with the latest developments and be pros at adapting.
Because the industry is always changing and evolving, it can be difficult to know how to break into the field. If you’re seeking a career in marketing, there are a few things you can do to give yourself a leg up in the job application process. If you do your research on the industry, gain the skills necessary to succeed, and sell yourself well to potential employers, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a successful career in marketing.
<>Do Your Research</>
Doing your research should always be your starting place when considering a new career. You want to be sure you understand the industry and specific job to the best of your ability before diving in. After all, how can you be suited to a career that you’re not familiar with?
Researching workplace trends that are on the rise — such as a rise in telecommuting and freelance work, a more rigorous interview process, and a widening skills gap — can help you prepare for the job search and application process.
The marketing industry is appealing for many reasons. It’s often profitable, unlikely to leave you prone to injury as many jobs can, and always growing. Further, there are plenty of jobs available. Every business needs a marketing team. Given the appeal of the industry and the number of jobs available, becoming a marketer seems like a no-brainer. However, doing your research and making smart career moves takes time and effort.
<>Gain the Skills</>
Heading into the job application process with the skills you’ll need to succeed is essential. Some are hard skills like being good with social media and having a savvy understanding of the current marketplace, while others are soft skills like adaptability and being a self-starter.
One of the major challenges facing employers today is finding a solution to the skills problem. Skilled workers are not as abundant as you might think, so if you can put in the time to gain the skills necessary for a career in marketing, you’ll be ahead of the game.
Marketing professionals should have strong interpersonal skills, good oral and written communication skills, be strong team players, be creative, and have the ability to analyze and organize effectively. They should also be ready to adapt marketing strategies at any moment.
Even if you don’t have traditional experience in the marketing industry, there are different ways you can gain skills to be more attractive to future employers. Enrol in an online marketing basics course or a specialized course that could teach you social media skills, web design, writing for the web, data analysis, and more. The more technical and soft skills you can demonstrate in the job application process, the better. Employers want to see that you’re showing up prepared and ready to go.
<>Sell Yourself</>
To become a professional marketer, you first have to learn how to market yourself. The final step in seeking a career in marketing is to sell yourself well to your future employer. All the skills and marketing acumen in the world do no good if you don’t present yourself positively and professionally. With the ever-changing world of recruitment strategies due to artificial intelligence, it’s important for you and your job application to be unique and memorable.
A polished resume and cover letter are essential. This is often the first impression an employer will have of you. Choose a professional resume template to make your resume stand out from the crowd. Keep your resume to one page and include experiences that are relevant to the job at hand. A marketing firm doesn’t need to know that you were a lifeguard for summer when you were 17, but your experience with web design could be a true asset that you should include.
When it comes to writing a cover letter for a marketing job, you’ll want to use keywords, convey your experience, use specific examples to demonstrate your skills, and be sure to edit and proofread thoroughly. Nothing looks worse to a potential employer than typos and poor grammar.
Once you make it to the interview process, workplace standards apply. Dress professionally, be early, make eye contact, and speak clearly. If you can highlight your adaptability and make it clear that you stay abreast of the latest industry trends and have a desire to always increase your knowledge, you’ll likely make a great first impression.
Remember, this is also your chance to ask a potential employer questions to make sure the company will be a good fit for you. You are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you, so be sure to bring up some good, relevant questions about company culture and policies.
A career in marketing can be exciting and fast-paced. Even if you don’t come from a background in marketing, you can excel in this field with a bit of hard work. If you do your research, gain the skills that employers are looking for, and sell yourself well, there’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy a successful career in the marketing industry for many years to come.
Author Bio:
Devin is a freelance writer from Daly City, CA. He writes about small business marketing and SEO. On his downtime, he enjoys experimenting with car modifications and collecting vinyl records. He also enjoys researching and writing about auto history. You can connect with Devin on Twitter.
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