Reading between the lines is often the key to successful job hunting in marketing.
The jargon-heavy language of recruitment can sometimes be baffling and a wee bit intimidating – so cracking the code is the secret to matching yourself to a perfect role.
Here at s1jobs we’re experts at solving marketing recruitment riddles.
And to help you be a winner, too, we’ve compiled a checklist to decipher whether a job is right for you.
Job titles
Bear in mind titles can have different meanings. An editorial assistant is not the same as an assistant editor. Try applying for the latter with the experience of the former, and you’ll discover why. More confusingly there are titles that can mean the same thing – like social media czar, which is a fancy name for a blogger. The key is to look beyond titles to the daily duties, required experience and level of responsibility.
Business buzzwords
Marketing employers often ask for qualities such as passion or resilience but what do they really mean? To prove you’re passionate, don’t make OTT claims about how much you love Mad Men. Specify what really interests you about marketing. When it comes to resilience, what they really want is someone not afraid of knockbacks. Refer to an incident where you didn’t get it right first time but turned things round to your advantage.
Read the job spec
Phrases like ‘fast-paced environment’ and ‘team player’ sound cliched but they offer clues as to the kind of office you’ll be working in. If you respond to tight deadlines and pressure, you’d be well suited in a fast-paced environment. If you’re a bit of a hermit, being a ‘team player’ could be more challenging.
You don’t have to be perfect
As a rule, if you can meet 80% of the job requirements, apply. After all, how many folks can tick every box? But if a particular skill is asked for, you need to have it. It’s no good applying for an account executive role if you’ve no PR or editorial experience.
Bang on the money
If you’re unsure whether the role has the right level of seniority for you, look at the salary. Graduate jobs are not always flagged up as such but the pay scale is the best indicator. If the job you’re considering comes with a huge salary jump, consider whether you’re perhaps missing out stepping stone roles.
Solve your career conundrum with the latest PR and Marketing vacancies on s1jobs.