Are you a marketing major at university or a new graduate? It’s such an exciting time as you learn everything about marketing and everything under that umbrella. You may already know the basics, but a tertiary degree in marketing will empower you with the knowledge required to launch a stellar marketing career- whether working for an existing agency or even starting your own. But landing your dream job in marketing can be challenging, especially with a difficult job market and lots of competition.
However, you can do a few things to help you land that plum job in marketing, which this helpful article will share to assist you. Continue reading to learn more about this valuable topic.
1. Consider an MBA
Consider studying for an online MBA in Australia in order to give yourself a competitive edge when it comes to that job search. An expansive and thorough MBA degree will enable you to work in marketing but with a business understanding that you wouldn’t otherwise have. This qualification could help you land a great job as a marketing manager or director or work your way up to these roles. For instance, you might study for an undergraduate marketing degree and then secure an MBA after some time in the workforce or go straight to the postgraduate qualification.
This will allow you to build on your marketing skills and knowledge by teaching you about marketing planning, strategy, leadership and budgeting, advanced market research, and customer behavior trends. Most MBA programs also have marketing subjects, or you can take electives to assist you in developing an advanced understanding of marketing approaches. An MBA will also see you stand out from the competition and will look excellent on your CV.
1. Consider an Internship
An unpaid internship can often lead to ongoing employment. Marketing agencies like to offer internships and delegate basic tasks to interns to free up paid staff for other higher-level tasks. Some agencies will advertise internships on online job boards or their websites, so it is worth taking a look to see if you can land this role.
Once you’ve got a foot in the door, you can impress the manager, and if you stand out as an excellent marketing professional, you could see yourself with a job offer. Also, while you’re there, keep an eye on any vacancies the agency advertises and have a conversation with the hiring manager to see if you’d be a good candidate for the role.
2. Take Short Courses
In order to land a dream job, you should set a learning mindset and see if you can upskill where possible. Short courses are an excellent way to do this and will supplement your tertiary qualifications in marketing well. They will also make you stand out to potential marketing employers.
For instance, you could take some Adobe Suite short courses – such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator or Premier. Having some basic graphic design or video editing skills will serve you well in your job search. Furthermore, some writing or copyediting courses will also give you an advantage, as often a marketing role will require writing and editing, and these short courses are excellent at developing these skills.
3. Learn About SEO and SEM
The majority of marketing these days is digital and based online on either websites or search engines. While some agencies will still work on traditional marketing channels such as print, radio, or TV, knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) will help you land that dream job in marketing.
Most employers want staff who have some working knowledge of digital marketing, so showing that you’re knowledgeable about these topics will give you a definite advantage in your job search. You may even find yourself facing interview questions about these topics, so upskilling in this area is an excellent idea.
4. Stay Across the Job Market
You won’t find a job without being aware of employment opportunities in the marketing field. You need to keep an active eye on the job market by browsing the job listing sites like SEEK, Indeed and Jora. Set alerts for ads with specific keywords linked to the types of jobs you’re looking for. These alerts will go to your inbox, so you can filter them based on jobs that interest you.
5. Create a LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is the social media platform of choice for professionals. It’s the place online to stay across marketing industry news, connect with other marketing professionals and create a standout profile to make yourself attractive to potential employers. Your profile should list your employment history, including all roles you’ve held (volunteer roles included), and should include a professional headshot photo. You’ll often find roles advertised on LinkedIn, and some recruiters even use the platform to headhunt potential talent, so don’t sleep on this valuable resource.
6. Call Hiring Managers
This is a broader job search tip, but it applies equally to the marketing industry. When applying for a job, it’s always a great idea to call the hiring manager to introduce yourself as a potential candidate for the role. If they get 100 applications for a junior role, it will help you stand out from the crowd. The manager will remember your name, and the phone call will give you a chance to share your relevant skills and experience. Only do this once, though – you don’t want to come across as a pest or annoying to a potential future boss.
7. Dress the Part
This might go without saying, but if you want to land a dream marketing job, you need to dress the part and aim to impress. When going for an interview, wear professional attire. A full suit and tie may not be needed, but definitely wear slacks, a button-down shirt, and nice shoes. You typically only have one chance to impress the interview panel, so dressing for success is definitely worth it.
8. Stay Current with Marketing News
Our final tip is about staying current with marketing news. To land a dream job, you need to have your finger on the pulse of the sector and stay up to date with all the happenings, innovations, progress, and events in the space. Sign up for marketing news emails, read publications, and stay informed. This knowledge could impress an interview panel or a future boss.
In Conclusion
This article has shared nine top tips to help you secure your marketing dream job. Follow these for the best chances of success on your job hunt, and don’t sleep on the suggestion of a further postgraduate qualification.
