Question
I have recently graduated university, and am now starting my search for that next great step in the marketing world. Ironically I have also sent my application to your company, but like most firms out there I was told that I was too inexperienced for what was available since I am a new graduate. This seems to be true across a lot of firms I have applied to (TAXI, Mercer, TBWA, Rethink, etc). However, I have tried to not let this discourage me and I continue to forge ahead trying to get my resume out there for as many to see. I wanted to ask you then, if you had any words of advice with respect to finding that first new job fresh out of university? It seems like starting out is the hardest thing to do!
Answer
Starting out is undeniably difficult. and it can often seem like a “chicken or the egg” problem - you can’t get a job without experience but you can’t get experience without a job. Nevertheless, everyone who is successful today started out at some point - so it’s not impossible! There are several approaches that I can recommend and they don’t involve “getting your resume out there for as many to see.”
Meeting as many people in your desired field is by far more important than getting your resume in front of them. Here’s 3 things you can do to get the ball rolling:
- Get involved: Professional associations, such as the AMA, can be a great place to meet a wide variety of people who are already pursuing careers in marketing. Every event that these groups sponsor is an opportunity for you to get yourself in front of marketing professionals. There are also a number of blogs written by and for people in the marketing community. Reading these blogs, posting comments, and even contact the authors directly with questions is an increasingly critical part of “joining the conversation.”
- Talk to People: Since everyone had to start somewhere, contact people you know in the field and ask for an informational interview. Many people with established careers are more than happy to meet with those who are just starting out. Talking with them about the things they did to get their careers off the ground may give you some ideas and give them a chance to share their wisdom. Asking these folks to give you feedback on your resume and cover letter is also a good way to get your resume out there without fear of it getting lost in a sea of job applicants.
- Target the company not the position: Sometimes it’s easier to get a job at a particular company than it is to get a job in a particular department. If you are having a hard time getting an entry-level marketing job, but have a clear idea of the type of company that you would like to work for, see if there are other entry-level jobs there where the bar may be lower. For instance, it might be easier to get a job in sales or customer support, than it is to get a job in marketing. You will often find that, thanks to the amount of customer interaction and insight that those roles provide, they often lead to opportunities in marketing proper.
Steve Dempsey, Vice President Recruiting at Aquent