9-point checklist for finding your next marketing role

• February 13, 2019

9-point checklist for finding your next marketing role

You probably already know that marketing is one of the most popular career choices for young professionals today. And with more and more candidates setting their sights on a role within the industry, it’s more important than ever to make sure you stand out from the crowd if you want to make your dream marketing job a reality. Our ultimate marketing recruitment checklist can help you do exactly that. From crafting the perfect CV and creating a cover letter that really packs a punch through to top interview tips, we’ve got it all covered. Read on to find out the key steps you need to take to make sure your dream job is in the bag. 

1. Write a CV with the wow factor

Hiring managers are busy people who don’t have time to wade through pages and pages of information to find out why you’re the right person for the job. By making sure your CV is up to date and that your employment history is presented in a clear and concise way, you’ll get hiring managers on side from the beginning. As a general rule your CV shouldn’t be more than two pages long, so make sure you only include relevant and recent experience along with your highest qualifications so your future employer can get right to the good stuff. And most importantly, make sure you thoroughly proofread before you hit send - there’s nothing worse than a typo to destroy an otherwise good first impression! Use a tool like Grammarly to help.

2. Kick things off with a personal statement

Starting your CV off with a short introductory paragraph highlighting your experience and what you’re looking for in your next role is a great way to promote yourself as a suitable candidate. As we said above, hiring managers are busy people, so having a short and punchy paragraph outlining your skills and experience makes their lives easier as well as giving you an extra chance to sell yourself. And don’t forget to personalise your personal statement for every position you apply for, matching your experience and key skills to the job description and even incorporating wording from the original job advert to make your application even more attractive to potential employers.

3. Always include a cover letter

Even if the job advert you are applying for doesn’t ask for one, you should always send a cover letter along with your CV. Because your CV is short, snappy and to the point, you should think of your cover letter as a chance to expand on the experience you’ve outlined in your CV, giving examples of any projects you have worked on and how they relate to the role you are applying for. It’s also an opportunity for the company to get to know you a little bit better too - so make sure you tell them exactly why you want to work for them and don’t be afraid to really sell yourself!

4. Brag about your qualifications

It’s true that no one likes a showoff - except when it comes to your CV! You should use your CV to shout out about your qualifications and make your future employer sit up and take notice, so don’t be shy. Make sure you list any relevant courses or qualifications you have completed, and mention any internal training you have done in previous roles that is relevant as well. Courses such as Excel Training are often transferable, so it’s always good to mention them when you get the chance! And accredited professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing can put you head and shoulders above the other applicants by showing that you are committed to your professional development. Alternatively, free courses from the likes of HubSpot and SEMRush are another ways to give your CV a bit of a boost as well.

5. Tailor your application to the job description

If you want to make sure your entire application really stands out, it’s important to tailor it to suit the description of the role you are applying for. From your personal statement to your cover letter and even making sure your employment history is as relevant as possible, the devil is in the detail so make sure your application is personalised to each job. If there are specific skills mentioned in the advert, make sure you incorporate them into your CV and cover letter, or if the position asks for a certain qualification, make sure you brag about having it. It’s a simple thing to do - but trust us when we say it can make a lot of difference to hiring managers or marketing recruitment agencies.

6. Showcase your skills

With so many candidates applying for marketing roles, it’s really important that you demonstrate to your potential employers why you have the X factor - and what you’ve got that other applicants haven’t. By showcasing your skills in a unique way, you can prove that you have something different to offer. You could create a blog to show you stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, or even create an interactive online portfolio to show off your creativity - anything you can do in addition to your CV that’s a little bit different will have a big impact.

7. Perfect your interview technique

So you’ve made it through the initial stages of the application process and up next is the moment the majority of candidates are most nervous about - yep, it’s interview time! The best thing you can do in the lead up to your interview is do as much research as possible to make sure you’re completely prepared for anything that is thrown at you. Running through some practice questions is a great way to make sure you’re calm on the day - and you can even time your practice answers to make sure you are being as clear and concise as possible. Why not get family or friends to help by asking you practice questions? Not only will the extra practice calm your nerves but they can give you honest feedback on your answers too.

8. Use the STAR structure to answer your questions

This is a great tip when it comes to the interview stage, especially if nerves can make you freeze up or ramble on! The STAR technique is designed to make sure you answer each question comprehensively and cover as much information as possible into a short succinct answer. It’s simple; whenever you are asked a question, remember to outline the:

• Situation - describe the event or situation you were in
• Task - explain the task you had to complete
• Action - describe the actions you took or how you overcame a challenge
• Result - explain the results of your actions

9. Prepare your own questions for the interviewer

Last but not least, don’t leave all the questions to the interviewer; make sure you come armed with questions to ask them when you are given the chance. Asking questions shows that you’re really interested in the job and that you want to work for the company in question - and it also gives you a chance to prove you’ve done your research too! If you’re stuck for ideas, some great questions to ask include enquiring about career progression or development opportunities to show you are interested in your future at the company, and also asking about a typical day or week at the company and what it entails. Not only will this show your interest in the role you are applying for, but it can also give you a bit of insight into things to come too!

So there you have it, our top nine steps to finding your next marketing role! If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and would like to find out more about the marketing recruitment opportunities currently available at Stonor Recruitment, get in touch with one of our marketing recruitment experts today.