4 Things to Know When Starting Your Career in the Marketing Industry
Written by: Sophie Varndell, Staff Assistant
The transition from college to a career can be overwhelming and intimidating. There’s so much more to learn, a million questions that will come up, and many more unknowns. While this transition can seem like a lot to take on, it doesn't have to be. As someone who has recently started this journey, I understand the feelings of pressure, doubt and insecurity. However, I am here to tell you that once you start this journey, it will be one of the most rewarding and hopefully exciting experiences you’ll have.
Let's begin with the college experience. When I started college, I was unsure how my interests in writing, communication and social media could mesh into a degree that would result in a rewarding career. This was until I discovered the up-and-coming world of social media marketing. This field was the perfect mix of all of my interests, plus it didn't hurt that it is currently one of the most promising career fields.
Don't get me wrong, I was still a ball of stress when it came to balancing college assignments, discovering internship opportunities and trying to find my place in the professional world. However, it wasn't until I took a leap of faith and accepted a job opportunity at Ten Four Social that I finally felt the release of pressure and the reassurance that I was where I was supposed to be.
Stepping into the workplace can be intimidating and I know my career is just beginning, but here are some tips I have learned already that might ease your transition too!
Goal Setting
Setting personal or professional goals is a great way to stay on track and stay motivated throughout your life. These goals can be big, small, short-term, or long-term, but they are a vital resource to maintain when starting your career. Setting goals has been an enormous help for me, personally. Goals keep me motivated, focused and continue to push me every day to be better than I was the day before.
Long-term goals
Long-term goals can be intimidating because they may not seem like top priority items in your current life. However, goals are here to push you to become the person or professional you strive to be. Here are three ways to set long-term goals:
Visualize your ideal future or where you see yourself in the coming years.
Establish motivating factors.
Be flexible.
Pro tip: Find one big goal or ‘North Star’ to work towards and then build your short-term goals as the steps you take to get there.
Short-term goals
When starting your career, it may be easier to start with short-term goals. They could be objectives you would like to accomplish within the first month or tasks you must complete for the week. These goals can also be stepping stones that will help you meet your long-term goals. Here are three ways to start setting short-term goals:
Identify areas that you would like to improve.
Think of an accomplishment you want to achieve.
Pinpoint a skill that you want to learn.
Keep Learning
After finishing your degree, learning should never stop. Your education in the marketing world has only just begun. I have learned a lot throughout my college education, but in my short time at Ten Four Social, I have acquired knowledge and skills that can only be found through real-world experience and networking. Meeting new people and forming connections within the marketing field is a great way to receive opportunities and promote yourself as a professional.
In the ever-changing field of social media marketing, it is vital to stay up to date with current trends, updates on social media platforms and new ways of marketing. For example, Instagram recently changed the dimensions of how photos appear on a grid. This small change impacts the first impression of a profile, the way text is displayed on an image, and ultimately affects the content process for every part of a social media management team. Updates to social media platforms are constantly developing, and as a new professional in this field, it is crucial to stay on top of these changes.
Find your Fit
Finding your fit in your professional life all comes down to the environment you find yourself in. When you interview for a position, keep in mind you’re interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you. Ideally, it should be a good fit for both parties! Part of this process is also reaching out and surrounding yourself with coworkers who are always willing to help and work with you to create a fully cohesive atmosphere.
When looking for the right fit for you, take a look at the company’s core values to see if they align with yours. For me, I wanted to commit to an organization that encourages creative freedom, promotes new ways of thinking and most of all, allows me to feel heard and welcomed. The marketing industry can be a culture shock, but it doesn’t have to be.
Get a Head Start
There are many things that you can do to prepare for a career in the marketing field. Start with the simple yet significant tasks that may set you apart from other candidates. Updating your resume and cover letter with accomplishments, experiences and displays of professional knowledge is a great start. But, if you really want to impress the team, work on creating social media mock-ups that appeal to the company or aim to incorporate language from the company’s website into your cover letter. These efforts show that you value the company you are applying to.
Having an updated LinkedIn profile is a great way to showcase your work and display that you are connected with others in the professional world. If you want to go the extra mile, write a blog post to share on your profile to show your knowledge and interest in the marketing field to those who view it. These are excellent examples of how to show your involvement and passion for social media.
Here are some helpful resources to get you started on your path to professionalism: