How to Get Hired: Experience, Education, Certification, or Attitude?

Breaking into the digital marketing world can feel like a catch-22: you need experience to get hired, but you need a job to gain experience. Read on for insights and actionable tips on how aspiring digital marketers can land their first role—even without prior experience.

1. Start by Building Your Own Brand

Digital marketing isn’t just about helping companies grow; it’s about understanding audiences, testing strategies, and adapting. One of the best ways to gain real-world experience is by building and marketing your personal brand. Start a blog, create a LinkedIn presence, or build a social media following. These platforms can become a sandbox where you experiment with SEO, content creation, social media engagement, and more.

Pro Tip: As you build your brand, document your journey. This becomes proof of your hands-on experience and gives you real data to discuss in interviews.

2. Master Free and Low-Cost Tools

Digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot’s free CRM, and Canva are widely used in the industry, and many of these platforms offer free versions or trials. By exploring these tools, you can learn valuable skills, from understanding analytics to creating engaging visuals. Not only will this knowledge make you more marketable, but it also shows initiative.

Action Item: Choose one tool to master each month. By the end of six months, you’ll have working knowledge of several popular marketing tools.

3. Gain Certifications That Demonstrate Core Skills

Formal education is valuable, but certifications specifically tailored to digital marketing can be even more impactful. Certifications from platforms like Google, HubSpot, and the OMCA (Online Marketing Certified Associate) are designed for people at all experience levels and provide the foundational knowledge that employers seek.

Quick Win: Research certifications in core areas—SEO, social media, and digital analytics. These are core skills that employers look for in entry-level marketers.

4. Network and Seek Out Informational Interviews

Networking is essential, especially when you’re just starting out. Connect with professionals on LinkedIn, attend webinars, or participate in marketing forums. This helps you build industry knowledge and opens doors to job referrals and mentorship.

Insider Insight: Don’t just ask for a job—ask for an informational interview. Use this time to ask about the professional’s career path, what they enjoy about their role, and how they keep learning. Showing a genuine interest in the field will make a lasting impression.

5. Highlight Transferable Skills from Other Jobs

Even if you haven’t held a marketing position, many roles build skills that are applicable in digital marketing. Roles in customer service, sales, or administration often develop strengths in communication, analysis, or project management, which translate well to digital marketing.

Tip for Resumes: When listing previous roles, focus on the skills and achievements that align with marketing. For example, emphasize any experience in customer research, social media, or analytics.

6. Offer Value Through Freelance or Volunteer Work

One of the most effective ways to gain experience is by offering your marketing services to small businesses, nonprofits, or community groups. Working with real clients, even on a volunteer basis, provides portfolio-building experience and helps you develop a professional reputation.

Portfolio Boost: Start by reaching out to local businesses or nonprofits that might need help with their social media or website. You’ll gain hands-on experience while making a positive impact.

7. Learn to Analyze and Adapt

Digital marketing is fast-paced and always changing. Employers want to see that you can analyze results and adapt strategies accordingly. Learn how to read basic analytics and practice using this data to refine your approach, whether it’s in social media posts, blog traffic, or email campaigns.

Real-World Example: If you notice that certain types of posts get more engagement on your personal blog or social media, create more of that content. This shows potential employers that you understand the importance of data-driven decisions.

Final Thoughts

Breaking into digital marketing without experience isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely possible. By building your brand, mastering tools, networking, and gaining experience through freelancing or volunteering, you can create a path that not only leads to a job but also sets you up for success in this dynamic field.

It’s all about showcasing your skills, your curiosity, and your willingness to learn. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to making your mark in digital marketing.

Ready to get started? Listen to the full episode on the Endless Coffee Cup podcast here and dive deeper into these insights!