5 Tips to Improve Your Odds of Getting a Job in Marketing

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Marketing Job-Hunting Advice

  • Maintain a High GPA
  • Participate in Student Projects
  • Build a Portfolio
  • Create an Impressive Resume
  • Plan for the Future
When it comes to getting a marketing job, a marketing degree from an accredited college can be a great starting point. Many marketing jobs require only some basic skills and a good resume. Others require:
  • a university education
  • work experience
  • a professional area of expertise
To improve your chances of getting a high-paying job in the marketing industry, it’s a good idea to keep the following tips in mind. See our ranking of the 30 Best Marketing Degree Online Programs (Bachelor’s).

1. Maintain a High GPA

Marketing firms could request a copy of your college transcript if you don’t have any other meaningful work experience or expertise. At prestigious firms, a one-semester internship may not be sufficient to convince hiring managers to give you a chance. With an excellent GPA and a spotless academic record, you could increase your odds of getting a lucrative spot at a well-known firm. Hiring managers typically look for GPA scores above 3.0, and some firms may require scores above 3.5.

2. Participate in Student Projects

Maintaining a good GPA may not be enough to show that you’re qualified for some marketing positions. Some firms don’t check your transcript or ask for your GPA. In these cases, you can make yourself more attractive to hiring managers by including student projects on your resume. Senior-year projects, such as marketing assignments and internships, can show employers that you have real-world knowledge of the marketing industry. They’re often more sophisticated than entry-level marketing work, so employers tend to value the creativity and expertise involved in these pursuits.

3. Build a Portfolio

You should have a list of achievements on display in a portfolio. This shows   employers that you have the expertise and ambition to excel in a high-paying marketing job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, creativity and analytical skills are highly important for marketing professionals when putting together a portfolio for a job search. It’s important to put some thought into the presentation of your portfolio. You want to convince prospective employers that you’ll be a good fit for their team.

4. Create an Impressive Resume

Putting together a resume gives you another chance to impress your prospective employers. Presenting an impressive resume is important. It’s even more important to avoid creating a bad resume. The reason for this discrepancy is that a strong resume is relatively less significant than a weak one. A hiring manager will remember a bad resume much more clearly than a good one. So the strategy in this case is to carefully follow resume-writing conventions. Include all the necessary information in the proper order. A one-page resume is typically ideal for marketing professionals without much experience.

5. Plan for the Future

The final hurdle to getting a good marketing job is making it through the interview process. Your interviewer will probably ask you about your professional interests and goals for the future. Your answers to these questions are arguably the most important information you provide during your interview. Make sure your responses are :
  • articulate
  • creative
  • professional
With the rapid growth of online advertising and promotions, marketing is one of the fastest-growing industries in the economy. A marketing degree can help you accomplish your goal of getting a marketing job. The tips on this list can ensure that your prospective employers remember you favorably.

Related Resources:

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5 High-Paying Careers in the Marketing Field

5 Training Courses That Marketing Students Can Use to Build Their Resumes

Do I Need a Degree in Marketing to Get a Job in the Marketing Industry?

Is an Online Master’s in Marketing Degree Program a Good Choice for Working Adults?

Brenda Rufener
Author

Julie McCaulley
Expert

Carrie Sealey-Morris
Editor-in-Chief