Career change into Digital Marketing

[DanMar]

Hi everyone, I'm Daniel and I decided to leave my current career (Finance) to embark in the digital marketing field. I'm 30 and i had just a small experience with social media 5 years ago. I will start gaining some kills through courses and obtaining certifications but do you have any suggestion on how to result convincing when applying for jobs without having any real material experience in the field? Suggestions on courses and study material are welcome.

thank you 

[Sasikumar_b]

Hi! If you're looking to learn digital marketing, I highly recommend the Digital Marketing course at Skillfloor. It’s a great course that covers everything you need to know, from SEO and social media marketing to content creation and paid ads. Skillfloor offers expert guidance and hands-on training, which will help you gain the skills needed to succeed in the digital marketing world.

[DLaurence]

I was in a similar spot once, thinking about jumping into digital marketing, but life took me in a totally different direction.

[DLaurence]

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@DLaurence wrote:

I was in a similar spot once, thinking about jumping into digital marketing, but life took me in a totally different direction.

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Funny enough, I ended up diving into a completely hands-on career—helping people figure out how to become electricians. Honestly, I’ve been loving it.
So, if you’re curious about other fields, I’d recommend checking out https://www.electricianclasses.com/ . It’s where I started, and it gave me a good idea of what to expect. Who knows, you might find something there that clicks with you too.

[BérangèreL]

Hi @DanMar,

Thank you for asking the Community!

I found these similar threads that might help you:

- "Confuse about how to switch career from engineering to marketing"
- "Marketing career advice"
- "How can I start a career in Digital Marketing without a degree?"

Also, if anybody else has anything to add and/or share, please feel free to join in the conversation 🙂

Thank you and have a great day!

Best,
Bérangère

[karstenkoehler · Accepted solution]

Hi @DanMar,

Making a career switch to digital marketing is an exciting and strategic move, especially given the growing importance of online presence for businesses. Here are some steps and tips to help you make a convincing transition, with the help of generative AI:

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1. Gain Relevant Skills and Certifications

Recommended Courses and Certifications

1. Google Digital Garage: Offers free courses on various aspects of digital marketing, including a certification in "Fundamentals of Digital Marketing".
2. HubSpot Academy: Provides free courses and certifications in areas like Content Marketing, Inbound Marketing, and Social Media.
3. Coursera & edX: Platforms offering courses from universities. Look for courses in Digital Marketing by the University of Illinois or Marketing Analytics by the University of Virginia.
4. LinkedIn Learning: A variety of courses on digital marketing topics.
5. Facebook Blueprint: Free courses on advertising on Facebook and Instagram.

2. Build a Portfolio

Create a Digital Presence

1. Personal Website/Blog: Create a website to showcase your understanding of SEO, content creation, and analytics. Write articles, share insights, and demonstrate your ability to drive traffic.
2. Social Media Profiles: Develop professional profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Share industry-relevant content and engage with digital marketing communities.

Practical Experience

1. Freelance Projects: Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to take on small projects.
2. Volunteer Work: Offer your services to non-profits or small businesses. It’s a great way to build experience and network.
3. Internships: Even at 30, internships or entry-level positions can be a good way to gain hands-on experience.

3. Network and Engage with the Community

1. Join Professional Groups: Participate in LinkedIn groups related to digital marketing.
2. Attend Webinars and Conferences: Virtual and in-person events can be great for learning and networking.
3. Follow Industry Leaders: Engage with thought leaders on social media and comment on their posts to increase your visibility.

4. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter

1. Highlight Transferable Skills: Emphasize skills from your finance background that are relevant to digital marketing, such as data analysis, strategic thinking, and project management.
2. Showcase Your Learning Journey: Mention the courses, certifications, and projects you’ve completed.
3. Use Keywords: Incorporate industry-specific terms and phrases to pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

5. Stay Updated and Continue Learning

1. Blogs and Newsletters: Follow blogs like Moz, Neil Patel, and HubSpot. Subscribe to newsletters from platforms like MarketingProfs.
2. Podcasts: Listen to digital marketing podcasts such as "Marketing Over Coffee", "Online Marketing Made Easy", and "Social Media Marketing Podcast".

Example of Transferable Skills from Finance to Digital Marketing

• Analytical Skills: Financial analysis translates well to marketing analytics.
• Attention to Detail: Crucial for SEO, PPC, and content creation.
• Strategic Planning: Can be applied to creating marketing strategies.
• Communication Skills: Valuable for content marketing and social media engagement.

Example of a Resume Section for Your Transition

Summary Dynamic finance professional transitioning to digital marketing with a strong background in data analysis, strategic planning, and project management. Completed certifications in digital marketing fundamentals and social media marketing. Adept at applying analytical skills to drive marketing insights and strategies.

Experience

• Finance Analyst, XYZ Company (Year - Year)
  • Analyzed financial data to support business decisions.
  • Managed projects and developed strategic plans.

Certifications

• Google Digital Garage: Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
• HubSpot Academy: Social Media Marketing

Projects

• Developed a personal blog on marketing strategies, achieving a 50% increase in organic traffic over 6 months.
• Created and managed social media campaigns for a local non-profit, increasing their online engagement by 30%.

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Good luck with your career transition! Your analytical background and strategic mindset will be valuable assets in digital marketing. Keep learning, networking, and building your portfolio to showcase your capabilities.

Best regards!