Are you curious about how to get into digital marketing with no experience?
So you want to work in marketing?
Many jobs require work experience.
Here’s how to land your first marketing job fresh out of the university.
Marketing is a booming business. In fact, every single company, from the sole trader to the largest corporation, is involved in marketing to varying degrees. How so?
The sign in front of your bricks and mortar location is a form of marketing. So is the business card in your pocket. And your website. And your social media. The list goes on and on.
But there is a first time for everything, and landing your first marketing job might seem intimidating – especially if many of the job postings seek candidates with years of experience.
How can you get hired for your first job in marketing? First, learn how to make a CV for a student. You will need to put your skills to work in marketing yourself!
Below, check out our best tips for becoming the perfect candidate for an entry-level marketing job.
Get ready to discover how to get into digital marketing with no experience.
How to Get into Digital Marketing with No Experience
Consider Your Experience
Considering this article explains how to get into digital marketing with no experience, if you think this tip is a contradiction, read on.
When you hand in your CV to your potential employer, they want to know one thing – do you have what it takes to do the job? To determine this, they will look at your education, work experience, and skills.
Here’s the scary part: Many job listings request that applicants have two to five years of experience in the field. But how can you gain that experience if you can’t get a job first?
Likely, you already have more experience than you realize. Think about your schooling – what projects did you complete? Consider, too, personal projects you may have embarked on – do you have a YouTube channel, personal website, or some other online presence? Have you ever sold items on Etsy or some other online marketplace?
If so, some level of marketing was involved. You can include these on your CV in such categories as “Education,” “Hobbies and Interest,” or “Projects.”
Seek Out More Experience
Continue to build your repertoire of extra-office experience.
Consider embarking on one or more of the following:
- Apply for an internship.
- Volunteer to work on a website, create social media posts, or manage an email newsletter for an organization at your school, church, or elsewhere.
- Do pro bono work for a charitable organization or small business.
- Pursue personal “passion projects” and market them online.
Market Yourself Online
Your job application is a form of marketing – you are marketing yourself. But your self-promotion doesn’t have to stop there.
- Create a personal website or blog and focus on search engine optimization (SEO). Not only will the website itself be a form of personal marketing, but it can also display your skills as its traffic and search ranking grow.
- Create or update your LinkedIn profile. Include links to any online marketing projects you have done. Strengthen your professional network by connecting with your instructors, local business professionals, mentors, and others you admire. Ask your connections for references and recommendations.
- Build and audit your social media presence. Create professional social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere. Connect with others with similar interests. Establish yourself as an expert in your field by sharing marketing “secrets” in informational posts. Also, audit your personal social media. Remove any content that you wouldn’t want your future employer to see.
Create a Portfolio
You can use your personal website or LinkedIn profile to feature an online portfolio. Document projects you’ve worked on, and cite important statistics regarding growth, reach, and engagement.
Apply, Apply, Apply – and Tailor Your CV
It can be tempting to pursue just a few “dream jobs” – those with the perfect setting, schedule, and massive paycheck. But this is not an effective means of getting your first job. Instead, focus on getting a job in your field, and then building on your experience to move on to more desirable positions in time.
It is advisable to apply to five to ten jobs per week until you begin receiving interview requests. Rather than sending the exact same CV to every employer, tailor your CV to each job. How?
Read the job listing carefully, noting potential keywords including skills, software, educational requirements, and minimum experience. Then, work as many of these keywords as you honestly can into your CV. The changes may be small, but they can make a big difference when it comes to getting your application past automated systems.
Try Freelancing
If you’ve tried all of the above and still haven’t gotten a job, you might try self-employment or gig work as a means of gaining experience (and a bit of income). You can use your website and social media to market your services. Be sure to comply with all legal requirements, including registering your business and paying your taxes.
How to Get into Digital Marketing with No Experience: FAQ
How do I get digital marketing experience?
Creatively capitalize on the experience you already have. Your experience can be volunteer or experience you gained as a student. Use that to show enough experience to land yourself a digital marketing job.
Key Takeaways: How to Get into Digital Marketing with No Experience
- Focus on gaining experience outside of the workplace, and be sure to include it on your CV.
- Market yourself online.
- Keep applying to positions and attending interviews until you get a job.
- Tailor your CV to each job description.
- If all else fails, try freelancing for a time.
Readers, please share so new marketers find out how to get into digital marketing with no experience.
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