April 3, 2017

It’s nearly that time of year again. Right about now, University and College students across North America are gearing up for their Finals. Stress levels are high, caffeinated energy drinks are flowing and procrastinators are telling their friends “I’m studying” when really they’re just watching the latest binge-worthy show on Netflix.

The good news is that in 2 months from now many of those same stressed students will be celebrating their graduation. Selfies will be snapped, graduation caps will be tossed and an entirely new stress will arise…. finding a job.

When I graduated from the Computer Programmer Analyst course at St. Clair College, I did a ton of research on how I could increase the likelihood of finding a job in web development. The bad news was that back in 2008, there weren’t many Windsor-based blogs detailing ways I could increase my chances. That’s why when I considered what I should write about this week, I thought it would be helpful to suggest a few ways marketing grads can increase their chance of landing a digital marketing job.

Social Media

If you want to work in digital marketing you have to have a passion for social media. Creating public profiles and being active on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and especially LinkedIn will help position yourself as someone who understands and uses social media on a regular basis. Whenever we were hiring a Marketing Coordinator at DMG, one of the first things I’d do is Google their name and see if any public profiles appeared. If they did, I reviewed those profiles not for personal information but for how they utilized social to improve their personal brand. Be sure to be active on social and share bits of your personality as well as content related to your marketing interests.

Certification

Adding a few online certifications to your resume is definitely a smart move when beginning your digital marketing career. Websites like Hubspot, Google and Moz all offer online certifications and most of them are free. The online certifications cover everything including: inbound marketing, SEO, Google AdWords and social media. They typically take anywhere from 10-40 hours to complete and require you take a test before actually receiving the certification. I myself have an inbound marketing certification from Hubspot and I can’t tell you how valuable it’s been for me not just as a show piece but also the amount of knowledge I gained from becoming certified.

Website

When I was laid off from my first job as a Junior Web Developer in 2010, one of the first things I did was setup a website for myself. I purchased a domain and because I had programming experience I coded it myself. Since most graduates from marketing programs don’t have programming experience, I recommend working with a recent grad from a Computer Science course to setup a website using WordPress. Use the site to share your information, previous work and blogs that interest you. Link to the website on your resume and create an email using the domain – it adds a professional touch to your resume and shows employers you’re serious about what you do.

Networking & Connections

This is a highly under-utilized suggestion and because of that it’s highly effective. Attend local events, “after hours” meetings and presentations in and around your city to network with established professionals. I do my best to attend several of these types of meetings each year and I remember at one particular meeting a recent graduate approached me to connect. I loved it! He had a basic business card printed and chatted with me about potential marketing opportunities. We later connected on LinkedIn and stayed in touch even after he found himself a job. Speaking of LinkedIn, don’t hesitate to follow companies and connect with individual owners, managers and directors at those companies. If they post a potential opportunity you’ll be one of the first to see it and be able to contact them directly with your resume and cover letter.

Education

Yeah I know, you just finished spending $10,000-$50,000 on your education and I’m suggesting you go back and spend more. Not exactly what you want to hear as a recent graduate but if you are struggling to start your career in digital marketing, it may be something to consider. There are several direct and in-direct courses available that will help you further and specialize your education. If you already have a Marketing Degree or Diploma you may want to consider bolstering the education section of your resume with a course in Public Relations, Writing, Web Development or even Business. All of which will make you look that much more attractive to a potential employer.