Five ways to stay motivated during your marketing job search

We all begin to feel frustrated when the search for a new job drags on. It’s worth remembering that very few people are successful with every job application they make. The trick for marketing professionals in today’s tough economic climate is to try and learn something from each failed job application, take it on the chin, and move on. Here are five tips on how to stick with it, as you search for your perfect marketing role:

1. Stay positive

It’s vitally important to stay positive, especially when dealing with potential employers. In marketing being a sharp communicator and a quick thinker is expected of you, so don’t make calls or approach influential people at networking events unless you’re certain a positive mindset will come across. Career experts say it helps to build a support network of friends and family you can to talk to, for support and advice. Remember to stay focused on your strengths, not weaknesses. Write an action plan too. By setting some written goals you have a structure to work to. A good starting point is to find the best places online to upload your CV and sign up to job email alerts so that you’re connecting directly with potential employers. Being proactive will help you build confidence and start finding suitable jobs to apply for. The more effort you make, the more confident and enthusiastic you’ll be in yourself. All this helps make a good impression, both in writing and in person.

2. Research target companies

Don’t even think about targeting a company for a marketing job unless you fully understand what they do, what their brand values are and how they operate. When you approach a company to offer your skills and talents in marketing you must prove from day one that you are as good as you claim to be. That means being bright, inventive, knowledgeable about their market and on top of your game. Research will be key so scour the corporate website. What is the company’s mission statement? Do customer testimonials or forums give insights into what they do and how they are viewed by the public? How financially successful do the relevant industry news services say they are?

What is their current marketing strategy and how do you think you could help them reach their brand-building goals. Which channels do they sell through and are they international? Other areas of research not to skimp on are: the competition in the market; their top personnel; their latest product launches or service announcements. If you arrive at an interview with plenty of relevant knowledge and are able to ask the right questions, you will really impress.

3. Network tirelessly

Marketers are expert networkers, so step up your use of contacts as you look for a job. Letting people know you’re ready for a new challenge can be a fast, effective way to get in the door of a new company. It’s also worth attending as many industry events as you can, and of turbo-charging your social networking activities will be vital. Do you have your own web page or blog as a showcase for previous work and current activities? Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and shows all your relevant skills and interests, with plenty of connections (there should be well over 50 to help you come up in searches) and lots of the right keywords. Ensure you have at least two really positive ‘recommendations’ from previous employers on your profile page, and get signed up to the relevant discussion forums where valuable connections can be made. Why not start with the Marketing Talent group on LinkedIn, powered by Simply Sales Jobs.

Use Twitter to show how clued up you are about the industry you work in, or want to work in, and send Tweets that will get you noticed and impress the right people. Video interviews are starting to be used by large companies who want to ‘meet’ individuals, so preparing your own showcase video could help get you through the door of your target company and land your ideal marketing role. Include a link to this on any emails you send out.

4. Differentiate yourself

Once you have researched the company you’re targeting, spend some time thinking about what will make you different – better – than the competition going in for marketing job interviews. Are they looking for people who adapt to a changing market? If they are opening up new international sales channels, do you have skills and experience that will be of use? Maybe they are hoping to use social media for brand-building, so can you talk about how you have successfully done this before? If you go in armed with things like this to talk about, backed up with solid examples of what you’ve already achieved, you will feel fully prepared, and be able to present yourself in a very good light.

5. Always follow up

Follow up your interviews by asking for feedback. It’s incredibly useful to gather information that will prevent you making the same mistake twice. If something was missing from your experience, find out precisely what that was and get to work remedying the situation. You may need more experience of social media or evidence of being a team player for the marketing executive role on offer. These are things you can get working on ready for the next interview.

Even if you have to take a series of rejections, don’t give up. As our jobs section shows, there are lots of options out there. It’s really about finding the right one for you.

Browse our marketing jobs today.