Government investment in digital jobs is predicted to grow by over $150 million in the next 3 years, which means that now is the best time to get into the industry. To find out more, here are the top 8 tips on impressing potential employers according to one of the biggest providers of qualifications in digital marketing in the United Kingdom.
1. Be Informed
Do you know what’s the difference between SEO and SEM? It is now the time to start brushing-up on your acronyms. It is important to be able to discuss digital marketing strategies both clearly and concisely since it helps you build credibility amongst industry professionals. So, ensure that you get to grips with the lingo (i.e. CPC/PPC/ROI etc.) prior to sending off any applications.
2. Be Analytical
Digital marketing is more data driven than you might assume. Freemium services like Google Analytics can help you acquire information about how users interact with your website as well as analyzing how each marketing channel is performing. It is important to have the right metrics in place since it helps you identify areas to improve and demonstrates to potential employers how capable you are of delivering a positive ROI.
3. Be Specialist
Just because there’s a lot of areas that you need to learn, it does not necessarily mean that you must be an expert in all. Whether you are passionate about social media, SEO, paid search, or any other area of marketing, playing to your strengths and specializing in one field has the potential to make all the difference. So, find your niche and not just build the foundations.
4. Be Sociable
Never underestimate the influence of people that surround you. Ensure that you are surrounded by innovative experts of the industry and never be afraid to network. Attending industry meet-ups and conferences regularly, for instance, can be an excellent way to build relationships offline that can be developed online.
5. Be Present
If you would like to show your employer that you can help increase the visibility of their brand, you need to ensure that you build your personal brand. Think of it as an extension of your resume as well as another way to practically showcase your skills. Profiles or blogs with a clear vision are usually more successful, so find a subject that you love and go with it.
6. Be Relevant
The world of digital marketing is constantly evolving. To ensure that your recommendations and knowledge are current, it is important to keep up with the latest trends. Sometimes, it is as easy as following key influencers and digital marketing platforms on social media. Excellent examples include PPC Hero, Distilled, and Moz, but there are many others out there that can help too.
7. Be Agile
Creativity and structure are not necessarily mutually exclusive. A digital marketing career could see you in the office on one day and attending an international conference the next, but it is important to always plan ahead. Try incorporating agile practices into your team to get a better handle on your resources and time, which will help you manage your digital projects as effectively as possible.
8. Be Certified
If you want to get notices, you can start with getting a professional qualification. A digital marketing certification can help you build and perfect your skills and provides you with the practical evidence needed to back them up. It is also an incredibly effective way to demonstrate to prospective employers that you are able to hit the ground running and helps you learn about something that you are truly passionate about.
Here are some more great tips from EMR on how to become a digital marketer.