How To Get Into Digital Marketing As A Career

With the growing popularity of social media websites and the explosive growth of the Internet over the past two decades, digital marketing is a lucrative career for fresh graduates. It is an exciting and ever changing industry that requires both creative and analytical skills.

The contribution of the likes of Google, Twitter et al have propelled the dream of working for a digital marketing agency to the forefront of many graduates minds.

In fact, in the UK, digital marketing as a career choice is set to spawn 150,000 jobs by 2020. If we cast the net slightly wider and focus on digital technology as a career, there are over 47,000 companies that employ staff in the sector… Creating 1.46m jobs.

There’s a wide range of tasks for the modern digital marketer, these could include maintaining social media accounts, blogging, SEO, UI/UX design, and PR campaigns through digital means.

But the problem is just that – it’s too good. There are a lot of qualified candidates out there so how can you stand out among them?

You need to know these tips to show recruiters what they want to see.

Be in the know, all the time

Be very willing to learn new skills on the market and accept that things you know now may become out of date very quickly. New online tools are developed over time so digital marketing is a fast paced industry.

You have to be familiar with new online tools and be able to demonstrate that you know how to apply them. Industry experts can easily tell between those who are willing to learn and lazier candidates. You need to keep ahead of the game.
Prove to recruiters that you’re not just talk

There are really no formal barriers to entry for the digital marketing industry. That’s why it is important to get certified with institutes that offer digital marketing programs. This will help you stand out from the rest.

With a proven foundation on a proper qualifications, recruiters will know that you’re not just another Joe that can use marketing jargon. They’ll know you’re the real deal.

Be unique, sell your strengths

There’s no denying that digital marketing entails a broad range of skills. But let’s be real for a moment, you can really only become a specialist in a few of those skills. In an ever changing career environment there’s no way you can keep up with absolutely everything and still have a life.

For example, you may be an expert designer and that might be an asset to an agency.

You should have at least a basic understanding of every single required skill, but become a real expert in a few of them. Sell those as your strengths. Let the company know what you can do for them with your unique specialisations.

Do it for yourself, build your own online persona

Your potential new employers probably only know you from your CV and a short interview; they haven’t been around you for your entire life. So they want you to prove to them that you can help them build their online presence.

The best way to do this is to establish your own online brand. Make sure you are highly visible in the online world; this will show recruiters that you are capable of building an online presence for them.