Finishing your final year at University can bring a mixture of emotions; joy from finishing your dissertation or the daunting realisation that you now need to find a graduate job!
Unfortunately, there's no getting away from the fact that landing a job as a graduate can be tough in a crowded and competitive job market. With thousands of other students competing for the same graduate digital marketing roles, you must do everything you can to stand out.
Luckily for you, for over 20 years we've been employing graduates at our digital marketing agency and can offer you tips on landing that first digital marketing job – whether you're a natural writer, have a passion for analytics or love designing websites.
Digital Marketing is a popular career choice for many graduates. The competitive industry offers plenty of diverse jobs to suit graduates with various skills, whether creative, analytical or both. So, what can you do to put yourself at the top of the pile of CVs currently sitting in a Digital Marketing Manager's inbox?
Firstly, you should start early! While it's all too tempting to hand in your dissertation and go into hibernation, we strongly advise against this. You'll be surprised to know that many students started their graduate job hunt months ago.
However, it's never too late, start being proactive and start sending your CV out as soon as possible. While you can look through and upload your CV to the many online job sites, like Indeed or available, we also suggest sending your CV directly to companies you would like to work for – you never know what they might see in your application.
“My tip would be to make sure that your CV is up to date and as polished as it possibly can be. Also, no matter what degree you have, sell yourself and not the title of your degree. Try to concentrate on the skills that you have developed whilst studying, whether it be communication, presentation, or team building."
- Amy Livesey (Account Manager)
No company likes to receive a vague or generic application. The key is to tailor your application for every graduate job that you apply for – this includes your CV and cover letter (make sure you include a cover letter to stand out from other job seekers). Your job application is an opportunity to show what you could bring to their company, so take the extra time to tell them why you are the perfect person for this specific position.
Spend time researching the company and use this to your advantage to show why you would be a fantastic addition to their business. A well-thought-out and tailored cover letter will impress a lot more than a generic one.
"When you start looking at job sites and boards and find a few roles you'd like to apply for, you may be tempted to send off the same CV to all of them. While this will save you time, it's not the best way to go about it, and you may not even get replies. To ensure you get an email or call back, make sure to tailor your CV to the roles you're applying for and demonstrate to the company that you're passionate about the job and boosts your chances of getting an interview."
- Teresa Garanhel (Senior Content Marketing Executive)
With so many different avenues into Digital Marketing, we suggest choosing the area that interests you the most and focus your efforts on demonstrating your passion and knowledge for this. Showing enthusiasm for a particular career path will show that you're committed.
“When I first started applying for jobs, it was very tempting to just fire off lots of CVs at the same time. However, I soon realised that this wasn’t the best way to do it, which was evident by the lack of replies and invitations to interviews. I then decided to properly tailor my CV to the jobs I was applying for – you have to show the company that you are passionate about the role and that it’s what you are looking for. You’re much more likely to get results this way”
- Emma Mortimer (Graduate Scheme 2016)
When applying for a job, don't be afraid to apply for positions where you don't quite meet all the essential requirements. For example, a content writing position might require one year of industry experience. As a graduate, it's unlikely that you'll have this but, if you do have a passion for writing and experience of writing your blog – why not send in your (tailored) CV? If you’ve never built a website for a company but spent years teaching yourself? It's always worth sending in your application.
There's always the chance that employers will spot something outstanding in your application, even if you don't meet their specific requirements.
The most important thing to remember is never to fabricate experience – you'll quickly get found out. Be confident that you have the drive, passion and dedication to land the position, even if your knowledge and skills need a little more work.
“When I applied for a role at SQ Digital, I had no digital marketing experience. I had finished my English degree a year before and had been working in retail since then. However, when I came across a Content Writer position on the SQ Digital website, I knew the skills gained from my degree would make me perfect for the role. Despite not having all of the requirements that the role asked for, I tailored my CV and sent it in any way - and I got the job! Don't be afraid to go for it, even if you are a little worried that you're not the right fit; you might be exactly what a company has been looking for!”
- Katie Martin (Lead Digital Marketing Executive)
Gaining relevant work experience in the industry you want to work for is invaluable. Whether it's a paid internship, job shadowing, or a few weeks of unpaid work experience, hands-on experience you can get within your chosen industry is guaranteed to make you more employable.
“A take-charge attitude can get you far. If you're on the lookout for work experience, why not contact the companies that interest you? They'll be happy to hear from you. You can also ask for career advice at your University, find work experience programmes or contact an employer about a potential placement.
"Once you get one placement, it's easier to get others, so keep trying and don't give up!"
- Elizabeth Goldsbrough (Senior SEO Executive)
It's also a fantastic way to get your foot in the door. If you approach a company that you are interested in working for and ask for work experience, you could end up with a full-time job at the end of it (or a significant connection at the very least).
Want to hear a secret? Digital Marketing agencies or departments are always busy! There’s a strong possibility that you will find a company that will appreciate some extra help. This is your opportunity to show your worth and convince them that you would be the perfect fit to become a permanent member of the team.
“When finding work experience, be proactive; send emails to places you'd like to work, use people you know for tips and putting in a good word, and see if your uni has any work experience schemes or scholarships that you can utilise. Don't underestimate the power of relevant societies and clubs at your university either! As soon as you get one placement, whether it's for a week or a couple of months, it makes it a lot easier to find others. Also, check with your university to see if they have any bursaries available to cover the costs of your travel while you have a placement!”
- Michelle Gleaves (Graduate Scheme 2015)
Have you heard of the saying, "it's not what you know; it's who you know?" You can't get away from the fact that thousands of jobs are filled each year by word of mouth and recommendations.
Many people feel like they have no one to ask, but they'd be surprised by who's in their secondary circles. Use your connections to your advantage. Know a friend working in the Digital Marketing industry? Ask them to refer you. Still in touch with a company that you did work experience in your second year? Get back in touch and ask if they have a position available.
If you're not lucky enough to know someone who can help, there are still lots of things you can do. Getting to know the key players within the industry you'd like to work in is vital when searching for a Digital Marketing job. From following these individuals on LinkedIn to attending conferences and seminars, this is a huge part of landing a job following graduation.
Attending industry events is also a great way to get more knowledge about the latest trends and news, providing you with plenty of great ideas to bring along to interviews.
“I would say that portraying confidence is key – even if on the inside you don’t feel confident at all. When meeting anyone new, both professionally or personally, be the first to introduce yourself and get the conversation going. Be willing to put yourself out there, you never know where a conversation could take you. If you don’t feel confident, the more you introduce yourself and get chatting to people, the more comfortable you will become over time.”
- Matt Hartley (Graduate Scheme 2016)
With social media accounts so easily accessible, it’s becoming more and more common for employers to search for potential employees online before inviting them to interview. This means ensuring that your online social media accounts are presentable – you don’t want your tweets from your early student days stopping you from landing your dream job.
Utilise social media networks such as LinkedIn to highlight your expertise and knowledge. If you’re applying for a job in social media, it’s a given that you want your own profiles to represent your personality.
“I would say for LinkedIn that just making a profile isn't enough and you won't get anything out of that - making sure you have relevant connections and activity can prove that you're actually as interested in that industry as you say you are. This also shows that you're proactive in keeping up to date with what's going on in the industry and what others think of these changes so that you understand the importance of opinions because there's no right or wrong or time limit in digital marketing."
- Eddie Bradshaw (Lead Project Manager)
Searching for a graduate job can be a daunting task, especially if you're busy with university work or preparing for interviews. You may also feel the need to spend all your free time on it to give yourself the best chances of success.
But it's essential to take breaks too. Researching and applying for jobs is necessary, but so is getting away from the computer for a bit, exercising, meeting friends or spending time with family. Everyone's different, so what might work for someone may not work for you, meaning you need to find 'your' routine.
You may prefer to get up early in the morning to send out a few CVs, or maybe you work better right after lunch. Or perhaps you like to reward yourself with a treat or a tea break once you complete an application, for example. It's entirely up to you, as long as it works!
"It can be tough to stay motivated, especially when you're applying for many different positions. However, if you take breaks into account and set yourself targets, you can easily structure your day in a way that works for you. So, to avoid becoming overwhelmed with job hunting, break your days down into smaller steps that will help you stay on track."
- Nathalie Hill (Lead Digital Marketing Executive)
Once you've landed a job, you must make the most of the opportunity. Make a good first impression, get to know your co-workers, be proactive in learning, and more – in essence, ensure that your time at the company is well spent.
Stay organised, listen to the guidance and be enthusiastic about tasks assigned to you, even if they're small, and use initiative as well. Companies appreciate graduates who are resourceful and look for answers instead of waiting to be told what to do all the time.
And remember, if you're unsure about something, ask for help. Employers will expect you to ask lots of questions initially, so don't be embarrassed to speak up.
"Take full advantage of your graduate job opportunities and gain as much experience as you can. Get involved with social activities too, and meet other colleagues you might not necessarily work with on a day to day basis. Ask questions, speak up, make suggestions, and ask for feedback too. All this will help make your role more enjoyable."
– Husen Essa (Director)
While these tips make for a good start on your graduate job hunting journey, there are lots of different things you can be doing to stand out. Think outside the box when it comes to sending in your application, as sometimes a CV and cover letter isn't enough on their own. As someone who wants to work in Digital Marketing, show that creative spark to get yourself noticed.
We're always happy to take on passionate and creative people looking to grow their digital marketing skills – and help us deliver the best marketing campaigns for our clients.
With a career at SQ Digital, you're choosing a forward-thinking, award-winning digital marketing agency with over two decades of experience. We believe in innovation, hard work and having fun. Joining SQ digital means you'll be joining a team of people who care for and support each other.
Please take a look at our open positions and apply for a role we've got going on. Even if nothing jumps out at you right now, send us your CV – you never know what we might have lined up!
Abbie Robinson is a 20-year-old para climber who has slowly lost her sight over the 7 years she has been climbing. Representing the GB Paraclimbing Team, Abbie made a name for herself in her first year competing and currently holds the title of World Champion in the B2 visually impaired category.
Abbie is also pursuing a career in website design and development and is currently in the process of completing a degree in Digital Media at the University of Leeds. During her industry placement year, Abbie joined the SQ Digital team to gain some real-life experience in the world of web design and development. You can read here about how she got on…
I joined SQ Digital, after completing two years of a three-year degree in Digital Media, at the University of Leeds. My course covers a wide range of areas under the umbrella of Digital Media; including web development, graphic design, animation and photography/videography.
Before I started university, my ambition was to be a website designer/developer, however, I hadn’t been fortunate enough to learn how to write any code previously in school. So, alongside my modules in web development, I spent my first year teaching myself how to write more advanced functions and styles with online courses. The additional tutorials gave me a solid foundation of knowledge in HTML and CSS when I began applying for placements.
Although a year-long industry placement is not a compulsory part of the degree, I was keen to grab some valuable industry experience that a placement year would provide me.
I worked extremely hard in researching what roles I would be interested in and the best places to apply. I submitted applications throughout the country, mainly targeting the major cities such as London, Leeds and Manchester, but I was also open to moving anywhere for the right job.
The application process alone proved to be incredibly beneficial as I was able to sharpen my interview skills, work on my confidence and practise promoting myself to a company, while under pressure.
Following the interviews, I was fortunate to have two offers to choose from, a role at SQ Digital and a position at a large company in London. I’m pleased that I joined SQ Digital! Working for a larger company, I don’t think I would have had as much room for growth and personal development or the freedom to gain experience in different roles to see where I fit best. Equally, SQ Digital is a large enough team to ensure I had all the support and resources I needed, so the fit was perfect really.
What makes SQ Digital stand out is how welcoming everyone is; they were by far the friendliest and most accommodating people I spoke with while applying for my industry placement. It wasn’t a tough decision at all to join the SQ Family!
I felt just as welcome on my first day and was immediately put at ease, being provided with any resources and support that I required to get settled in.
Being visually impaired, I was nervous before joining the team as, although it had not affected my work in the past, I had no idea if my disability would have an impact in a professional working environment. I had nothing to worry about; the team were incredibly accommodating and always ensured that I had all the extra support I needed. I was able to take my time to work out what set-ups, processes and conditions would suit my needs best.
I joined the Design and Development (“DnD”) team, with a basic level of understanding but an eagerness to learn much more. I’m grateful that the team were able to sense my passion and give me the opportunity to grow and develop with their support.
Within the first month, I was learning the ins and outs of WordPress, practising my HTML and CSS knowledge to create a personal theme website, (abbierobinson.co.uk). As well as providing me with all the training and support I needed to build the site, the team went the extra mile and continued to encourage me to develop the website along with my blog.
Once I had demonstrated a solid understanding of WordPress, HTML, CSS and PHP, my team was keen to give me some responsibility for client work. By the mid-way point of my placement, I had designed and built two WordPress theme sites for clients, as well as providing the clients with training on how to view and edit their content. This level of industry experience was ideal as I was able to work directly with clients, gain experience working to strict deadlines and a budget alongside ensuring I maintained a professional level of work throughout.
My final project at SQ aimed to utilise all the skills I had developed during my time as an intern. I was able to put those skills to the test by designing and building my own bespoke WordPress site. The website was my biggest challenge yet and was a real test of my knowledge in HTML, PHP, SASS and jQuery. The final product (abbierobinsondesign.co.uk) is a demonstration of the valuable skills I developed, along with my confidence, time-management and problem-solving skills.
The experience and the skills I gained during my year out has undoubtedly prepared me for my final year at University and has also put me in a much better position to compete for graduate jobs.
It wasn’t just design and development skills I gained at SQ Digital; the placement has also provided me with many behavioural skills that are attractive to potential employers.
Before joining SQ, I had a clear goal of becoming a designer/developer. However, the experience has provided me with an insight into the many other opportunities and job roles that surround design/development. I’m really excited to delve further into this and find the job I have the most passionate for.
If I were to summarise my time at SQ Digital, I would say it’s been a real challenge, and the opportunity given to me has been incredibly beneficial. I have taken so much away from experience and truly appreciate the responsibility given to me. I can’t thank the team enough for the opportunities to develop my personal skills, work on some of my own projects and gain experience in other fields to provide me with the most comprehensive and valuable experience possible.
The support and encouragement I received from everyone in the team throughout was incredible and really put me at ease. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the team at SQ Digital, and I hope I was just as much of a joy to have around the office!
"Abbie has been an integral part of our team over the past couple of months during her placement, always eager to learn and assist with any task or project provided regardless of the challenges involved. There's no doubt Abbie has a fantastic career ahead of her due to a great work ethic & versatile skillset, either in development, design or climbing walls!"
- James Brady (Project Manager)“I'll miss having my coding buddy once you are gone!”
- Matt McCarten (Web Developer)“Having Abbie in the Design and Development team here at SQ Digital during her university placement has been an absolute pleasure. She has gone from strength to strength across the past 9 months and surpassed all of our expectations!
Whether working on developing her core web development skillset, enhancing her customer support knowledge or her end to end website project experience - Abbie has fully applied herself, taking on every challenge assigned to her - whilst maintaining her professionalism and eagerness to learn at all times.
We wish her all the best for the future and what will most definitely be a successful and exciting career!”
- Richard McGowan (Head of Design and Development)
If I were to describe my time as a Digital Marketing Intern during the Summer at SQ Digital, I would honestly say that it has been an amazing and worthwhile experience. The amount of responsibility I was given since the beginning has been great. The fact that the company has had so much trust in my ability has given me a lot of confidence in my work and has also built on and improved my self-confidence.
After completing two years at Newcastle University studying Marketing and Management, I knew it was time to gain real business experience. I initially started applying and attending assessment days for companies located in London, with the idea of finding a year-long placement. However, due to the massive competition, they proved extremely hard to find, so I decided to change my search to focus on finding summer work experience instead.
Living in Lancaster, I decided to send my CV to local companies. SQ Digital replied to me within a day, offering two weeks of work experience; I think it was meant to be! I soon realised that the opportunity of work experience during the summer would actually benefit me far more than taking a year out of university for a placement.
I couldn’t have wished to work for a more friendly and dedicated team.
My studies at university mainly focus on business management with marketing theory and practice. While this allows me to build up an extensive knowledge of marketing, it doesn’t allow me to gain practical and real-world experience.
In my first year, I took compulsory modules such as Quantitative Methods for Business Management and Introduction to Management and Organisation, which were heavily maths and theory-based. One of my favourite modules from my first year was Critical Perspectives on Business Growth. I enjoyed attending lectures on fascinating topics such as ‘Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made?’, ‘Illegitimate Businesses’ and ‘The Mafia and Business Growth’. Every time I left these lectures, I felt like I had learned something new, but it also left me wanting to research more.
In my second year, I purposely chose more marketing-based modules to ease away from theory and learn more about contemporary marketing case studies and strategies. I started to choose topics that were of interest to me when completing my assessments, which helped increase my productivity as I actually enjoyed what I was researching. I completed a group report on how social media affects different age groups, wrote an essay on Stormzy’s billboard marketing campaign, and wrote a strategic marketing plan for the online fashion company Missguided.
While the university had already made me hopeful for my future career, I knew my time at SQ Digital would help me understand what I was really passionate about.
When I first started my work experience in early July for SQ Digital, I admit that I started with minimal expectations, knowing I wanted to gain experience in social media marketing and digital PR services. But by the end of my first week, I felt comfortable in the easy-going work environment and well adapted to the company. I tried my hand at writing blogs, learning how to match my writing style to the tone of voice of a company. I also wrote social media posts for various clients and even wrote a couple of outreach articles and press releases. In such a short space of time, SQ Digital enabled me to understand the workings of a digital marketing agency and really become part of the team.
At the end of my two weeks of work experience, I was offered an internship for the rest of the summer before going back to university. This was a perfect opportunity for me and something I had been looking for during most of my second year at university – good things do come to those who wait! Working in a business environment as opposed to a university environment is very different. At university, I’m responsible for myself and my own work, and at SQ Digital, I’m responsible for the company’s work and maintaining its reputation. This is challenging but very rewarding! Staying at SQ Digital allowed me to develop my digital marketing experience and skills while producing some work that I am very proud of.
The internship has opened my eyes to the wide range of companies that exist, and the work carried out on a day-to-day basis to ensure a company’s brand image is portrayed correctly. Writing blogs has improved my creativity, and social media has helped me create innovative posts to gain a unique competitive advantage over other brands. A highlight of my time so far is having two outreach articles published online, something I hadn’t written before but something I really enjoyed.
The individuals I have worked with at SQ Digital have all been extremely welcoming, ensuring that I’ve been getting the most out of my internship throughout my time here. Michelle, the Lead Digital Marketing Executive, has made time every week for a 1:1 meeting with me to ensure I was happy and getting the most out of my experience. Throughout these sessions, she’s helped me perfect my CV, given me tips for writing a cover letter, and helped me improve upon my weaknesses. This reflects the hard-working nature of the SQ team and their willingness to go above and beyond to help others.
This was also confirmed to me through their various activities for charity. The team is taking part in Born Survivor and hosting a family fun day to raise money for Unique Kidz & Co, a local charity that they selected to be their charity of the year back in January. This is something which they should be extremely proud of. I couldn’t have wished to work for a more friendly and dedicated team.
Moving forward, my experience from SQ Digital and the confidence I have developed while I’ve been here will aid me in my final year, completing my dissertation, and in my future career. As well as gaining business experience for a digital marketing company, I have also perfected personal skills such as time management, public speaking and have even been inspired to start my own blog. SQ Digital has confirmed my passion for digital marketing, which I now know is the right career path for me. It has only fuelled my ambition to work hard and excel in my future career.
Thank you so much to the SQ team – I hope you’ve enjoyed having me as much as I’ve enjoyed being here.
Want to work here at SQ Digital? Please take a look at our careers page to see our latest vacancies.
As Steve Jobs once said: "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."
As someone who is quite young and ambitious, I have always believed that people should never settle for less than they deserve, especially when it comes to work. If you haven't found what truly makes you happy, keep looking - your dream job is out there waiting for you.
Believe it or not, this is not a motivational statement, rather it's just my way of saying that with all matters of the heart, you will know when you find your dream job - just the way I have been feeling over the past week, and especially on my first day of officially coming aboard at SQ Digital.
One of things I knew before starting my career at SQ Digital was that I was excited to be joining a team of talented individuals, who are all extremely passionate about what they do. But to be completely honest, everything else that happened over the course of the week went beyond my expectations.
As someone who has gone through a lot of changes in her life, I had doubts about whether this new beginning would be as exciting as I secretly hoped. But reflecting on my first day, it was one of the most memorable days of my time so far.
Your dream job is out there. You will know when you find it - just (as in) the way I have been feeling over the past week, and especially on my first day of officially coming aboard at SQ Digital.
After completing the required HR documentation, I was introduced once again to everyone and then I was invited to attend our weekly ‘Monday Round-Up’, where departments give praise and updates to one another. This one was slightly different, as the company’s nominated local charity, Unique Kidz and Co, came along to tell staff how they could get involved with them over the next year. Their touching story made me realise that for the first time in my life, I had made a choice that I will never regret. Once I was settled in, I was given a short booklet that detailed a weekly schedule specifically written for me.
Despite feeling slightly overwhelmed by the work and the responsibilities that were given to me on my second day, the encouraging and supportive attitude of my colleagues and managers made me feel more confident, as I knew my work would be double-checked with detailed feedback given. Spending time with the Content Marketing Team was the most exciting part of my day.
Actually working in clients campaigns enabled me to research a variety of topics and thus expand my knowledge in different industries and fields.
I was introduced to the team and the services they provide; such as writing blogs, creating infographics, and creating content to be shared across the web. I came away with an understanding of the monthly reports we produce for our clients and the different types of sharing across websites. They also showed me some quite useful websites, which I can use if I ever struggle to find a relevant source.
As the week went by, I started to feel more confident in what I was doing. What spurred on my drive to perform even better with the tasks given to me, were the small encouraging comments I received after completing even a small task, such as scheduling a single post for one of the clients. I learned how to write and schedule posts for various clients on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Doing work for some of the clients enabled me to research a variety of topics and thus expand my knowledge in different industries and fields.
Coming from a different background can be challenging, especially when you are the new person at work and you have two national holidays, one of which involves a tradition to put a bracelet on your colleague’s hands (editor’s note – we loved this!). Yet, for the first time since I moved to the UK, I saw people who were sincerely genuine. Not because they had to be, rather because they truly wanted. And if there is one thing I noted about each one of them, it would definitely be their fantastic team spirit.
Finally, I have to mention the office. If there is one thing I truly adore about SQ Digital, it's the office atmosphere – a friendly and cheerful environment that comforts you to think outside of the box and handle even the most difficult challenges.
Like what you read? If you're looking for a new role with a Google Premier Partner, award-winning Digital Marketing Agency, we may have an exciting opportunity for you.
