I had absolutely no idea what career I wanted when I finished University in 2020, and with the beginning of a pandemic in play, I didn’t seem to have much luck finding anything either. However, the pandemic did give me some time to really sit and think about the routes I could go down, and with an English Literature degree, the options were endless - HR, recruitment, general admin, marketing, journalism etc.
After 6 months of applying to mediocre jobs I didn’t have much of an interest in, I was very close to giving up. Until an agency reached out to me through Linkedin. I remember thinking ‘what on Earth would they want with me? No relevant marketing experience and a fresh starter from Uni, surely this is too good to be true.’ However, it was my experience with my own social media channels that gave me a chance in an industry I have so much passion for!
Fast forward 18 months and I’m part of the Pride as a Senior Account Executive, and yes I do get imposter syndrome even saying that. Being able to work on social media campaigns, advertising, media buying and learn about all things behavioural science, it really is a great place to work! I thought I’d give 5 tips on how to break into this industry without a relevant marketing degree, because it’s a question I get asked all the time and it’s definitely possible.
1. Google Courses
Google seems to be the answer to everything these days, but it’s because it has so much to offer. Google has an endless range of courses (a lot of them are free) which could be done in your spare time. These courses are great to add onto your CV and are a reputable certification to show you know what you’re talking about. You can also complete individual modules if you want to dive into more of a specific field!
Not only are these courses great for your CV, they also show initiative and that you’ve gone the extra mile to learn about the industry you want to enter. This looks great from an employer perspective as it shows you’re trying to gain that level of experience!
2. Being active on LinkedIn
I was reminded of LinkedIn throughout University and even a work placement and didn’t give it much thought. However, my one piece of advice would be to get a LinkedIn account and connect with people who have similar job titles to the one you’d like, in the same industry! I got Linkedin once I’d finished University, I added my degree, previous part-time employment, and my own social channels as experience onto my profile and it resulted in a foot in the door to the industry I wanted to get into! As well as connecting with similar people, you can find advice, tips and share your own experiences. It’s basically the Facebook of the working world!
3. Starting your own social channels
Starting your own social channels is a great way to prove you’re capable of the role you’re interested in. It doesn’t have to have 100k or even 10k followers; it’s all about the content, the purpose of your page and the work you put into that channel is the most important take-away for the employer. Whether it’s a small business page, a weight loss or fitness account, a student life account etc. having that purposeful platform to showcase your content and experience is a huge positive. You can read our previous blog on the key social media trends to help you run your own channels here.
4. Networking
In marketing, it’s not just about what you, it’s about who you know. Having a strong network is essential in marketing as it’s such a tight knit industry - everyone knows everyone! LinkedIn is a great way to build this network, as previously mentioned connecting with similar people in your industry could eventually lead to a foot in the door. However, you can also attend marketing events, networking sessions and listen to webinars/podcasts etc., to build on your network and meet new people! It will also widen your knowledge which is a win-win.
5. Be yourself
Who you are is so important in marketing - getting your character and personality across in your CV, any cover letters and even on LinkedIn is essential to stand out from the crowd and be able to offer something different to the employer.
It isn’t always about experiences - employers are willing to train you if you’re the right fit for the company, and that’s why it’s so important to include an ‘about me’ section in your CV, share your experiences and go for the roles you even think might be out of your reach!