Whether you want to unleash your inner creativity or are simply energised by the opportunities that come with a career in marketing, there’s no better time to get started.
A whopping 61% of companies plan to add more digital marketers to their team, and with the rise of new forms of marketing such as TikTok ads on the rise, the need for talented marketers is growing.
Here’s the catch – marketing is a sector that many graduates and workers are looking to get into, so the competition can be tough. The good news is, there are a few easy ways you can make your application stand out from the crowd and land the role of your dreams. Here are just a few.
- Carve Out a Niche
The first step in starting your new career in marketing is establishing what niche you’ll work in.
These days, few people are just general ‘marketers’. It’s much more common to specialise in something, whether that’s copywriting, SEO, or PPC. If you’re not sure which role you’re most suited to, do some research online to find out which best suits your skill set.
Marketing analytics, for example, is much more data-driven, whereas content writing and copywriting are better suited to creative types.
- Consider Contract or Freelance Roles
Only applying for permanent roles means you miss out on a huge swathe of opportunities. Instead, consider working as a contractor or freelancer and working on various projects for different companies.
Not only will your role be more varied, but you’ll learn about working in all different types of organisations, which will benefit your professional development. This style of working will be especially beneficial if you’re easily bored or like new challenges.
If you’re not sure whether a career as a contractor is right for you, you can use a contractor calculator to work out how much take-home pay you’d earn.
- Acquire the Necessary Qualifications
Having qualifications in marketing can go a long way towards securing your dream role. If you don’t have the time or budget for a university degree, there are plenty of free or affordable online courses you can sign up for to broaden your knowledge.
- Gain Some Experience
If you’re already in a different career and want to make a sideways move to marketing, the reality is you’ll have to work your way up again in this new field.
To impress potential employers, try to gain experience in whatever way possible, whether that’s a marketing internship or even offering to run the social media accounts of your local businesses.
- Start a Side Hustle
We get it – gaining an experience in a particular sector can be tricky, especially one as competitive as marketing. If you search online and still can’t find a role to help you get a foot in the door, consider starting your own side hustle to use on your CV.
You can take on some freelance marketing roles or ad-hoc projects to showcase your skills. Alternatively, set up your own small eCommerce store or similar business and try your hand at marketing it successfully.