We all know that marketing is a highly competitive industry. So, how do you stand out from the crowds?
We have put together some of our top tips for getting into marketing, and staying there.
Up Skill
There is an abundance of free courses available online. From Marketing and Digital marketing to PR and Copywriting, there are courses out there that cover it all.
Marketing is such a broad industry and many job specs are looking for different skill sets. You can never have too much knowledge or too many skills. Always keep learning.
If your main skill set is in PR, why not take a course in Google Ads and set yourself above the rest. If social media is your thing, make sure you are up to date on all of the latest platforms.
Not sure where to start?
We recommend checking out Google Digital Garage and Hubspot as a great starting place.
For webinars, The Marketing Meetup and Girls in Marketing are always fantastic.
Be willing to learn
Employers want to work with people who are keen to keep learning. Ask questions.
Make sure you are fully immersing yourself in the industry. Podcasts and webinars are a fantastic way to do this.
Make connections
A huge part of marketing is reaching out to brands, venues and partners on behalf of your client. If you can turn up to a job with a handful of connections already in your back pocket, you are already setting yourself up as a valuable asset to an employer.
For those wanting to break into the PR world, having pre-existing relationships with journalists is a huge win. The best way to make a start on this is to hang out where journalists do – Twitter!
Find the gaps in the company
No company is perfect. Any good company wants to grow and develop and is always keen for feedback on how it can do that.
If you can go into a job or an interview and find ways you can fill the gaps in the company – whether that’s suggesting new software, new ways of working, areas they aren’t yet reaching into – you are instantly making yourself far more employable.
Be brave and be bold, tell them how you can help them. Show them why they need to hire you.
Find a community
Over the last few years, online communities have grown hugely in popularity, fueled by social media and our need for interaction during lockdown.
From Facebook groups to paid-for communities like Girls in Marketing and PR for the People, online platforms are a great way to connect with other like-minded marketers. Surrounding yourself with others in the industry also sets you in a great position for being the first to hear about job vacancies, which has very obvious benefits!
As well as job opportunities, these communities are a fantastic way to keep motivated and keep pushing to be the very best you can be. The Marketing Meetup has a weekly webinar with industry experts, the chat feature allows attendees to chat and connect, learning from each other as well as from the industry elite.
Gain experience
Unfortunately, many people get trapped in the vicious cycle of needing experience to get a job and needing a job to get experience. So, how do you break this cycle?
Create your own work. Speak with local businesses in your area, do they want someone to give their social media a glow-up for free? What about some free press coverage for their upcoming event?
This experience will not only grow your CV, but it will grow your confidence and your skillset.
Another way of gaining experience is to apply for internships. These allow you to learn while you work, usually giving you real experiences on client accounts. The Posh Cockney Future Star Programme takes on 8-10 budding marketers several times a year and mentors them as they gain hands-on experience in Marketing and PR.
Say yes, then figure out how to do it
Once you have that spot on an internship or even if you’ve landed a job – become friends with the term ‘yes, I’ll figure it out’.
There is no stupid question, except for those that Google can answer. If you are asked to do a task that you haven’t done before but feel like you could figure out – say yes!
Not only will this hugely increase your skills set, but it will begin to make you indispensable to the company.
Don’t give up
There really is a job out there for everyone, you just have to wait for your time. Until then, keep learning, keep growing and keep making connections.
