Digital marketing is in a state of constant flux which means that every year, innovations, technologies and disruptive concepts change the playing field, meaning, that to make it as a digital marketer in the long-term, you have to evolve with the times.
But, there are fundamental digital marketing skills, competencies and qualifications that largely remain the same - and getting these under your belt will kick-start your success from the get-go.
At present, digital marketing jobs are the most in demand for today’s marketing departments, with advertising and content abilities ranking as the most sought-after skills.
That said, to steer your success, here are the qualifications you need to land yourself in the fun, exciting and fast-paced world of digital marketing.
While there is no definitive set route to becoming a digital marketer or landing your first job in the field, most employers will want to see that you’ve validated your skills by successfully completing an industry-recognized introductory digital marketing course.
By doing so, not only will you earn the fundamental skills, knowledge base and confidence you need to embark on a rewarding career in digital marketing - and actually be of use in the workplace - but you’ll also obtain a working understanding of the key principles or areas that make up the vast majority of digital marketing jobs.
From there, you will quickly get a feel for the area of digital marketing that you’d like to focus on, enrolling on a sector-specific digital marketing course on disciplines such as:
By taking on a more advanced digital marketing course or a qualification that focuses on a specific area of digital marketing, you will increase your levels of employability while opening yourself up to more potential brands or businesses looking for skilled upstarts to push their promotional efforts forward.
While not compulsory, micro-credentials or badges are a new, effective and widely-recognised way of gaining pockets of specialist digital marketing skills while gaining an all-important competitive edge on the competition.
And, a recent study shows that 60% of industry experts feel that more employers will move towards skills-based hiring by choosing a budding candidate, like you, based on what they can do, rather than a traditional degree or pedigree alone.
These miniature online courses allow you to learn at your own pace in a short space of time while gaining a reputable qualification in a niche area of digital marketing - and as the insights above shows - these are likely to help increase your chances of landing a rewarding digital marketing job, quite significantly.
Moreover, by reading industry publications regularly and remaining abreast of the latest trends, shift and changes in the digital marketing world, you will ensure your skills and knowledge remain relevant, giving you the best possible chance of a thriving, enduring and well-compensated career.
"In today’s era of volatility, there is no other way but to re-invent. The only sustainable advantage you can have over others is agility, that’s it." - Frank D’Souza, CEO of Cognizant
In summary, while there is no compulsory qualification required for a job in digital marketing, by enrolling in and successfully completing a reputable, well-rounded digital marketing course, you will enhance your chances of landing the digital marketing job of your dreams exponentially. Plus, by gaining credentials in more specialist areas or competencies, you will gain a real competitive edge on the droves of competition out there.