Want a Job in Digital? Here’s What Recruiters are Looking For…

Getting that digital marketing job can prove tricky. While the industry grows constantly, more jobs are coming up – which is fantastic news for anyone starting out. Still, this means more competition! Standing out from the crowd should be your biggest focus. Bearing that in mind, we asked some of the biggest recruiters what they look for in a candidate. Digital marketing is becoming more and more integral in the business world – so stand out from the crowd by reading their tips.

Anna Wymes

Senior Recruitment Specialist, Rightfit

Anna Wymes is a Senior Recruitment Specialist at Rightfit. Rightfit is a digital, media, sales and marketing selection specialist firm and, following a successful nine years in business, is one of the go-to places for recruitment opportunities.

“You must be motivated and willing to work hard to get ahead – that counts for a lot in this industry”, Anna says. “In terms of skills, there are so many roles in digital from analytics to strategy to sales and social media that you should focus on one and become a pro in that if at all possible, early on. If you’re more mature in the market, be well versed on all sectors but specialize in one or two areas as there are a lot of general candidates in the market and to stand out you should be strong at one or two things and excel in that. The sector is big enough now to accommodate specialisms across the board”.

Louise Bunyan

Global Online Marketing Executive, Morgan McKinley

Having a lack of experience doesn’t necessarily isolate you from applying for roles, says Louise Bunyan. Louise works as a Global Online Marketing Executive at Morgan McKinley, a global professional services recruitment consultancy firm.

“So what will make your CV stand out from all of the other digital marketing students? At Morgan McKinley, our digital marketing consultants look for hands-on experience. We know that you have just finished your course and have limited experience, so don’t let that deter you.

Our recruitment consultants look for someone who has a healthy mix of creativity, logical thinking, a team player, problem-solving skills, good organizational and project management skills. Digital marketers work with a wide variety of people from web developers, UX designers, graphic designers, copywriters and most importantly, the client, so a mix of the above skills are an absolute must”.

​Joanne McDonagh

Digital Marketing & Content Specialist at Rezoomo

Rezoomo provides jobseekers with a Digital CV builder as one element of their platform, as well as a jobs board to search the latest roles from companies hiring around Ireland.

“You should put every effort into selling your personal brand and putting your best self forward in order to stand out from other Digital Marketing candidates. So how will a digital CV make you stand out from the rest? Hiring managers/recruiters go through dozens of CVs a day. Building a digital CV gives you the opportunity to put yourself in front of them in a unique way. It allows you to introduce yourself with a 2-minute video/attach links to blogs and projects you have undertaken and it even gives you the option to record samples of any other languages you speak, if required for the role. A paper CV isn’t going to impress and especially in the digital industry, making that extra effort does get you noticed. With a digital CV, you are giving yourself a better chance of getting an interview.”

Simon Lewis

Co-founder, Only Marketing Jobs

The rate at which it changes is both one of the most daunting but most exciting things about the digital marketing industry. While it can be overwhelming in the beginning, once you are in the digital frame of mind you realize that it opens you up to a whole new world of opportunities. Getting the most up-to-date knowledge of the industry is therefore crucial, as Simon Lewis, co-founder of jobs listings site Only Marketing Jobs, says.

“Digital marketing can be fast and furious, so aside from the requisite skills to undertake the job, applicants absolutely MUST display evidence of a dynamic and hard-working attitude and the ability to adapt to change. Recruitment agencies representing hiring companies are inundated with applications so you should be sure to clearly identify yourself as the industry’s next outstanding ‘hot-shot’. Your personal profile summary should read: ‘Your clients need to hire me because…’ Nail this and you’ll nail your dream job”.

The advice coming from these three industry connoisseurs shows the importance of keeping ahead of the game when job hunting. It’s an industry that sees a lot of change, and at a rapid rate, so constant upskilling, working on your CV and knowing the ins and outs of the industry is what will give you the edge.

Does digital marketing sound like the type of career you would be interested in? Enroll in our next advanced level course.