A career in Digital Marketing is an attractive option; getting paid to sit on Facebook all day is basically living the dream, right?

While Digital Marketing does involve a lot of time on social media, some blogging and a few cat GIFs here and there, there are so many reasons why this career is a popular one. For one, it's a relatively new industry that's constantly growing and evolving. It's also one of very few jobs which requires a real marriage of creative and analytic skills, so you're always on your toes and never get the chance to utter the phrase 'my job is so boring.'

However, the best thing about Digital Marketing as a career is that there's no linear entry path into this field and, although it can make things more straightforward, you don't need a degree in marketing to get a job in this industry. Read on for practical tips and advice on how to get a job in digital marketing without a marketing degree.

Which degrees can lead to a career in marketing?

A Digital Marketer needs to carry out a wide variety of tasks on a daily basis including, but not limited to: search engine optimization, pay per click advertising, email marketing, social media marketing, blogging and content marketing, as well as strategizing, analyzing and reporting.

All of these tasks require a completely different set of skills and disciplines and although a good marketer should be able to competently do everything, the best Digital Marketer usually specializes in one area.

Rand Fishkin, who is a prominent figure in the world of Digital Marketing, talks on his blog about the 'T Shaped Marketer.' This is someone who has a light level of knowledge across a wide variety of skills, but has depth in one or a few particular areas.

Therefore any degree which supports one or more specialist skills can help you land a job. For example, those with a degree in Creative Writing, Journalism or English Literature could make excellent Content Marketers. Whereas, those with a background in Web Design or Development might have a flare for SEO or PPC.

Other degrees which offer cross-over skills include Business Studies, PR and Communication, Advertising, Computer Science, Economics, Management and Psychology to name a few.

Which skills are required?

Digital Marketing is a multi-faceted job which requires diagonal thinking; an ability to be simultaneously creative and commercially minded. Some of the key skills that employers are looking for that attributed to this role include:

  • Strong writing ability.

  • Good communication skills.

  • Awareness of consumer behavior and buyer psychology.

  • Analytical and numerical abilities.

  • Knowledge and experience with social media, blogging platforms, PPC.

  • Graphic design abilities.

  • Web design/development knowledge.

Top tips on how to get a job in digital marketing.

Of course a degree in marketing might give a candidate an advantage on paper, but when hiring for Digital Marketing roles, employers do tend to focus more on proven skills and experience.

So if you don't happen to have a degree in marketing, there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of getting a Digital Marketing job.

Get experience.

Digital Marketing internships are great if you can secure one, if not, you can still gain a wealth of experience on your own. There's no reason why you can't experiment and start your own blog, website or social media channels. You can also offer to help any friends or family members who have small businesses in need of an elevated web presence. The more you can show drive, passion and genuine interest to an employer, the better your chances of getting a Digital Marketing job.

Network.

Connecting with local professionals in the Digital Marketing sector can be hugely beneficial to furthering your career. Being known within those circles will keep you updated when job opportunities arise and forming strong relationships may also help you to acquire a mentor who can steer you in the right direction. Surrounding yourself with experts who are passionate about what they do will also drive you to work harder and inspire you to keep on top of the current trends.

If you're not able to network at events or gatherings, connect on a digital level by adding people on LinkedIn during the job search, following them on Twitter and getting involved in conversations.

Be a fan.

In most Digital Marketing job interviews you will be asked which influencers you admire or follow online, as this is a great indicator of how passionate and involved you are in the industry. If you love Digital Marketing, you should be aware of the big names. The Kim Kardashians of Digital Marketing, if you will. Follow them on Social Media, listen to their podcasts and watch their videos. This is one of the most effective ways to stay ahead of the game.

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