How to start your career in marketing

Marketing is a huge and yet still rapidly growing industry that is constantly evolving. From changes in traditional marketing roles to new AI-powered practices becoming the norm, there are plenty of exciting opportunities across the industry.

This is great news for new graduates as well as anyone who is looking to make a career change. So, whether you want to specialise in digital or traditional marketing, here’s everything you need to know in order to follow your dream and start your new career in marketing.

Outline:

Choosing your career path in marketing
How to start your career in digital marketing
How to get a job in digital marketing
Why choose a career path in digital marketing?
How to start your career in traditional marketing
How to get a job in traditional marketing
Why choose a career path in traditional marketing?

Choosing your career path in marketing

When it comes to starting your career path in marketing, the first thing you will need to decide is what type of marketing you would like to work in. There are many different roles in marketing and plenty of people will change roles and specialities throughout their career.

When starting out in the marketing industry, you can choose between traditional marketing and digital marketing, or you can work as a generalist until you have a better idea which avenue you would like to take. Alternatively, you may wish to remain a generalist throughout your career. The opportunities are endless! But to help you to make the first move, let’s outline how you can start your career in either digital or traditional marketing.

How to start your career in digital marketing

If you’re wondering how to become a digital marketer, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s an industry full of possibilities. With so much of our lives now lived online, businesses are investing heavily in digital marketing in order to survive. As one of the fastest growing disciplines in Australia, the digital marketing industry is in constant need of candidates and new talent.

So, in short, now is a great time to get into this fast growing and in-demand industry.

How to get a job in digital marketing

As in most industries, many employers looking for digital marketing staff would prefer someone with experience or a qualification in the field. If you’re looking for digital marketing manager jobs for example, it’s reasonable to expect that you have experience in this or a similar role.

However, if you’re wondering how to become a digital marketer without a degree or any experience, it can be done. In a candidate-short market, many companies and hiring managers are willing to invest in new talent if they have the right attitude and soft skills.

Some ways to make yourself stand out as a great entry level marketing employee are:

Choose which area of marketing you want to focus on (at least to start with)
Write a resume and make sure you include any skills or experience that could be relevant to the marketing industry
Build and curate your online presence (LinkedIn, Instagram etc.)
Consider writing (and marketing) a blog to demonstrate your abilities
Research the companies you’d like to work for before contacting them
Team up with a recruiter who specialises in the marketing industry in order to showcase your skills in the best possible way

Some entry level positions in digital marketing can include:

Content Writer or Copywriter
Junior Content Strategist
Junior Social Media Specialist
Junior PPC Specialist
Junior SEO Specialist
Junior Influencer Marketing Specialist

Although some companies will train entry level candidates on a broad range of digital marketing disciplines, it’s worth doing some research to find out what kind of roles you would prefer. It’s also a good idea to educate yourself on basic Search Engine Optimisation practices as a minimum.

If you’re unsure as to what aspect of digital marketing you are best suited for, it’s worth talking to a Digital Marketing Recruitment Specialist. They can advise you on the type of roles you would be qualified for and point you in the right direction in terms of any training or research you should do before contacting potential employers.

Why choose a career in digital marketing?

With so many changes happening in the world, job certainty can be hard to come by. But digital marketing is an industry that is set to become more relevant — even crucial — as the digital revolution continues. As such, it’s a relatively safe bet for a long term career.

It’s also a very versatile industry with room to grow and evolve. From Search Engine Optimisation or Web Design to Social Media Marketing or Copywriting, there are countless different disciplines and specialisms to choose from. So whether you have an aptitude for data and analytics or enjoy more creative thinking, there’s something for every skill set.

How to start your career in traditional marketing

Although digital marketing is seemingly on track for world domination, more traditional marketing roles such as Marketing Executive are still very much in demand. It is a great way for graduates or those looking for entry level positions to get experience in the marketing field.

Some common roles in the marketing industry include:

Marketing Manager
Brand Manager
Campaigns Manager
Direct Marketing Coordinator
Corporate Partnerships Manager
Content Marketing
Public Relations
Communications Manager
Communications Officer
Social Media Strategist
Events Coordinator
Media Officer

For new graduates looking into the traditional marketing space, roles such as Marketing Assistant are a great place to start. Other roles such as Marketing Coordinator can sometimes be suitable for entry-level candidates, although it’s important to read the job description as it will outline whether or not it is a junior position.

How to get a job in traditional marketing

Choose which area of marketing you want to focus on (if you’re a new graduate or don’t have a degree, consider junior positions such as Marketing Intern or Assistant)
Write a resume highlighting your education, skills and experience
Build and curate your online presence (LinkedIn, Instagram etc)
Thoroughly research the companies you’d like to work for before contacting them
Tailor your resume and cover letter to suit each role or company you are applying for
Team up with a specialist marketing recruiter for introductions to key players in the industry

Ready to take the next step towards a career in marketing?

Whether you’re changing careers or starting out for the first time as a graduate, there are plenty of options and opportunities across the marketing industry. The key is making sure that you are applying for the right types of roles.

In order to find and secure the right position you should:

Do your research
Think about the role or types of jobs that interest you
Write down any experience or transferrable skills that might be relevant
Get advice from a specialist recruiter

A good recruiter will be able to help you understand which roles are suitable for you as well as help you to present your resume in a way that highlights the right skills and experience.

For guidance about starting your career in marketing or to find out more about current opportunities in the market, get in touch with our Marketing Recruitment Team today!