The rise of the digital marketing industry has brought about a range of job opportunities for individuals skilled in producing digital media and marketing products and services online. Getting a job in the marketing field is like joining a rat race. Competition is high and there is a level of risk to contend with. On a brighter note, now that marketing jobs have slowly shifted from traditional to digital, there are many opportunities for everyone who hopes to have a career in digital marketing.
If you do not have previous experience in digital marketing, then rest easy. Some positions may require sufficient experience, but entry level positions only require basic marketing knowledge. However, just because there are numerous opportunities to land a digital marketing job, it does not mean you should rest on your laurels. It pays to be prepared.
Here are ways you can prepare yourself:
1. Know more about digital marketing
Digital marketing is not difficult to learn. The principles and strategies used in traditional marketing (i.e. getting leads, targeting a specific audience, calling potential prospects and promoting products and services with the aid of marketing tools) are still applicable in the field of digital marketing. There are terms you should be more familiar with, however, such as search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM). These terms are related, but they have different descriptions and make use of different techniques. There are several online academies like Udemy, EdX and Coursera that offer short courses on SEO, SEM, SMM or digital marketing as a whole, so you might want to visit any of these sites (they even provide certificates of completion).
Since digital marketing is a big field, learning the basics will help you know what you are getting into. Most companies will ask whether you’re familiar with those terms, and having basic knowledge despite your lack of experience will still work to your advantage. After learning the theories, all that is left is for you to put them into practice.
2. Practice what you have learned
A little bit of practice right before you actually enter the digital marketing field is highly recommended. Some companies would like to test your knowledge and skills. Without practice and a real feel of the tools used, technical interview questions might catch you off-guard instead. One of the things you can do is to create your own blog and then optimize it using the digital marketing strategies you’ve learned. You can also use this blog as a portfolio, should your interviewer ask you to present one.
You can also view video tutorials to get a better feel of digital marketing campaigns and the process of starting them. Read about digital marketers and their personal stories so you will know what to expect once you start the job.
3. Customize your CV
Update your LinkedIn and other social media profiles. Social networks are deeply connected to digital marketing, so your profiles should exude a professional vibe and give a lasting impression to potential employers. Finally, customize your resume or curriculum vitae for digital marketing companies. Jot down tasks you performed that are more marketing in nature. Do not forget to add your certificates or the link to your blog on your updated CV.
Extensive experience is not necessary in digital marketing, but this field continuously evolves. You must therefore learn as much as you can whenever possible to keep up with the changes.