We are living deep in the heart of a digital age, especially with the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence across industries.

With remote and hybrid working being the preferred way to work for many employees – particularly the younger generation – budding marketers have a lot of choice. Particularly when according to the World Economic Forum, the number of global digital jobs is expected to grow to 92 million by 2030.

As a result, there are more digital marketing opportunities out there than ever before. But is securing your dream digital marketing job possible without any experience?

In this blog, we look at effective strategies to secure your first job, along with what not to do. We also explore the qualities and skills you should have to catch the eye of an employer or recruiter.

To secure a role that will lead onto a fulfilling long-term career in digital marketing you will need to showcase your skills, passion, and expertise.

That said, there are businesses out there that are looking for talented upstarts that they can teach, develop and upskill on the job. There are also unpaid opportunities such as volunteering or working for a non-profit that can help you gain experience.

“Often candidates say to me, I want to do that but I haven’t got enough experience. You have to go out and get the experience. That means you’re not getting paid for it,” said Terry Payne, Global Managing Director at Aspire Recruitment on the DMI podcast.

“Experience is invaluable, so the job will come, the money will come, but it only comes if you put the effort in with the experience, and sometimes it’s the pain before the glory.”

However, to be a competitive candidate and stand out to prospective employers, there are certain dos and don’ts that will help make or break your application.

• Be proactive and apply to all entry-level digital marketing jobs you feel will be worthwhile, even if you might not be the perfect fit.
• Add your CV and bio to LinkedIn (and create a great LinkedIn profile) along with any other relevant job sites such as Indeed or Monster to be visible to recruiters.
• Be active on social media and share your niche industry knowledge or your passions, connect with people you feel could be influential to your career and showcase your social media marketing competency.
• Keep learning and stay up to date with the latest industry news and trends by regularly reading popular publications that are relevant to your niche.
• Start a blog, try out Medium, or create a substack newsletter and regularly produce compelling articles on a relevant subject matter to demonstrate your knowledge, marketing skills and a unique tone of voice.
• Put time into each application, researching your employer in detail and tailoring your cover letter, CV (resume) and any other communications to the specific role.
• Network with people in the industry by attending industry events, reaching out to people you admire to ask questions or advice, or become a member of a reputable professional development institution like DMI.

• Use AI – While AI may be daunting, there are loads of ways to use AI in your job search. When used sensibly, it can help you edit cover letters or CVs, find a job that matches your skills or help prepare for interview questions. Be aware that recruiters and employers can be aware of any obvious uses of AI and this may be an automatic black mark against your application.
• Be realistic – Landing your first job can be tough especially in a competitive job market, so manage your expectations (particularly around salary) and be willing to put the work in.

• Don’t exaggerate or lie about your skills, experience or credentials; if you do land yourself a job and you’ve been untruthful, you won’t keep it for long.
• Don’t send out generic CVs or cover letters hoping to land yourself an entry-level digital marketing job or use AI to create one without adding a human touch – if you do, your application will be sent straight to the bottom of the digital slush pile.
• Don’t be complacent with your learning. Knowledge and consistency are two of the biggest drivers of success in digital marketing.
• Don’t give up as it can take time to find your first job. Keep positive, proactive and continue to learn.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for expert advice, assistance or mentorship if you feel you need it. Use a network like LinkedIn or consider investing in a course to earn a certification and collaborate with peers who may be in the same position as you or secured their first job.

“When you’re going in to see an employer, it’s not just talking about what you can bring to the job now, you’re also using some leadership and making it a bit more curious about what you can bring to their business in the future to elevate it,” advises Terry Payne.

Since you have no or limited experience, it’s worth cultivating some skills and traits to stand out.

You should look to upskill in technical skills such as analytics or SEO or content marketing along with practical or soft skills. Let’s look at some of the most common and sought-after qualities by employers and recruiters.

Technical know-how 

Don’t be afraid to use digital marketing jargon in your CV and also in your communication across your platforms, especially social media.

Passion 

Employers want to know that you have a passion for the area and role, so convey how passionate you are by describing a project – unpaid or personal – that shows it.

Adaptability and flexibility

A digital marketing role can be demanding and require you to juggle multiple projects so it’s important to be adaptable and flexible.

Proactivity and engagement

Highlight your proactive approach to learning and professional development such as participating in relevant online communities or following industry leaders.

Social media competency

Even if you’re not looking for a social media role, it’s crucial to have some experience of social networks. Engage on social media platforms by sharing industry insights or connecting with other marketers.

Content creation

Content skills are crucial as a marketer so look to hone your writing skills (don’t be afraid to use a copywriting AI tool like ChatGPT) and use content creation platforms like Canva or Shutterstock to get some experience.

AI

Artificial intelligence is being used by marketing teams across industries to be more productive and efficient. Employers are looking for employees with AI know-how so take the time to try out some AI tools to learn how it can help with content creation, automation and personalization.

Honesty and integrity

Be truthful about your skills and don’t over-inflate your experience. It will become apparent quickly if you don’t know how to do something or have misrepresented yourself.

Leadership

Employers want employees that can take control and work on a project or campaign with minimal hand holding. They also want people who have good leadership skills so show off any you may have such as running a volunteer project or leading a team activity such as debating.

Is it possible to get a digital marketing job without any experience? Yes, it is, but in a field that is ultra-competitive, constantly changing and continually challenging, there are no shortcuts to success.

To succeed you will have to put in the hours learning your craft, honing your skills and persisting until you land that first dream role.

One, make sure that when you are applying for a job show your achievements, ones with tangible results or the “sizzle factor”.

Number two, have realistic expectations of what that job needs to look like for where you are in your career now.

Finally, number three, make sure that you are constantly upskilling yourself on the latest technology which could anything from AI to social media.

Good luck!

There’s no better or faster way to break into the digital industry than with a digital marketing certification. DMI’s certified and industry aligned Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing will teach you the fundamentals of digital marketing, show you how to leverage AI in your marketing activities and simple ways to cultivate soft skills. You’ll also explore key channels such as email marketing, social media, SEO, content marketing, and display and video advertising to execute successful marketing campaigns in any industry.