Getting a job / interview in a tough market.
Landing a job in a tough market takes a lot of effort & resilience. It can also feel a bit daunting at the start & here are a few tips that may help.
Stating the obvious, the CV needs to be right & it has 2 purposes; to get you an interview, or to create interest & engagement. It needs to neat, concise, relevant & creative, if necessary, but it must not have any superfluous information. It needs to be accomplishment-led. In this market, companies are looking for people that can do the do, so to speak.
Skip the waffle & fluff like “passionate marketer”. Try, planned & executed social campaigns that brought in 5,000+ qualified website visitors. Make it results-driven. Instead of managed social media, say, grew IG followers 40% in 3 months. Or, helped increase inbound leads by 30% through email automation.
Include achievements in your current & previous roles. A potential employer will be interested in these. If you’ve made them money – how much? If you’ve boosted their online presence – by how much? Can you show that you helped generate leads, traffic, revenue, or engagement?
The first thing the reader will see is your summary/profile/career overview. Avoid a long list of self-promoting adjectives. It needs to be a few lines, 5 – 7, max, highlighting your key areas of expertise. Marketers are expected to know areas such as Email marketing, CRM & automation & the basics of HubSpot, Mailchimp, or similar. Reporting tools such as GA4, LinkedIn Campaign Manager, as well as copywriting: such as landing pages, ads, or emails. Focus on putting in your key skills.
In addition to your CV, think about creating a PDF or portfolio. This can include case studies, past campaigns & projects that demonstrate your ability. Even if you’re early in your career, show projects such as blog posts, events, social strategies, email funnels, etc. This can add real value to your application & make you stand out over the masses. If necessary, customise a cover letter & tell a story, don’t repeat your CV.
Build while you search – offer help to small businesses or non-profits. It builds experience and keeps you sharp. Create content: Start a marketing blog, TikTok, or newsletter. Show you understand marketing by marketing yourself. Certifications: Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, Meta Blueprint, etc., all free or cheap.
Stay sharp on trends & gem up or follow thought leaders on LinkedIn or X. Practice with tools: Canva, Mailchimp, GA4, Meta Ads Manager, etc.
In a tight market. don’t scatter gun as it will lead to disappointment. Target industries: Are you more into tech, fashion, non-profits, B2B? Maybe pick a niche: Marketing is broad; digital, content, SEO, brand, social media, analytics, etc. Specialising shows clarity & thought. Spend more time on fewer applications.
Avoid the cool & sexy brands. They get masses of applications. There are some amazing firms out there who may be under the radar, but will still offer a great career.
If traditional approaches aren’t working, reach out direct to start ups who often hire fast and value doers over pedigree. Offer a mini audit: “I noticed your Instagram hasn’t posted in a month. Mind if I send you a few content ideas?” Freelance or contract first, it often leads to perm roles.
Network, network, network. Join groups & alumni networks which are underrated and powerful. Go to events where relevant contacts are in attendance & talk to them.
Spend time on your LinkedIn profile, highlighting key skills, achievements that resonate with your industry. Optimise your headline & post regularly. It does not have to be identical to your CV, but do ensure the timelines of your jobs are in sync.
It’s also a great platform to reach out directly: Message people working in companies you admire. Don’t ask for jobs, ask for advice.
Most employers will look for 3 or 4 things. Can you do the job, will you add value and make a success of it, are you manageable, and will you fit in? Most companies like people who can solve problems, no matter their size, so think about your current or recent roles where you have solved or improved issues, processes, bottlenecks, etc. All employers like people that bring value.
In a tough market, competition is stiff, so the key is positioning yourself as someone who gets a business results, not just buzzwords. Rejection & near misses are all part of the process, but keep at it & we genuinely wish you all the best.