Beginning your marketing career can often be daunting, particularly for graduate students or anyone just starting off their marketing career journey. Breaking down the job search into steps, from writing your CV to starting in your new role, can be a helpful way to minimise apprehensiveness. Technology is changing how both jobseekers and recruiters approach job searching, with AI fast becoming an essential tool for all. 

In the recent Marketing Club webinar, Verity Slade, business director at Hays, explained how to start off in your journey to your first marketing role, and what to do when you first start at a new job. The modern job market has evolved quickly, and it is a very different landscape for aspiring marketers to launch their careers in. AI has made job searching more automated and skills driven but has created new challenges in terms of visibility. Jobseekers need to be adaptive to the new technology and optimise themselves and their CV to any AI systems that may be used during recruitment.

Using AI in job applications

The first step in any job-hunting process is to write an impressive and memorable CV.  As Slade put it: ‘The more tailored your CV is to the role, the more likely you are to get an interview’.

With AI technology now readily accessible, crafting a CV could not be easier for jobseekers. However, it is essential to ensure your CV is still relevant to the job you are applying for and that it remains authentic to you and your experience. AI tools can enhance your CV, but relying on them too heavily could jeopardise the personal touch you need to connect with an employer and make it to an interview.

As of now, it is still rare for companies to use AI systems for hiring, with just 5% using it to scan CVs, but this number is predicted to rise to 28%, so it is still crucial to consider the effect of AI as more and more organisations adopt AI into their hiring processes. With increasing use of AI screening of CVs, it is important to match keywords and phrases from the job description or application forms in order for your CV to make it through the sifting process.

Building a professional identity  

Optimising your online presence is crucial to stand out against other candidates; leveraging social media and networking on platforms such as LinkedIn is an ideal way to increase your visibility and connect with industry professionals. Developing a personal brand helps to showcase enthusiasm and demonstrates your skill set, and being proactive with building connections could lead to new job opportunities.

Posting engaging content, sharing achievements or reposting and commenting on insightful posts all help to build a personal brand. Joining communities could also foster relationships within the marketing industry and help to navigate career progression through networking and building connections.

Is AI shaping interviewing?

Interviewing can be a scary concept, especially if you are new to it. But Slade shared some simple tips to help put you at ease:

• First impressions count; be on time, dress smartly, have confidence in yourself and a positive attitude.
• Body language matters, you should try to maintain eye contact and smile.
• Show your enthusiasm for the role, ask questions and demonstrate your research on the company.
• Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Results) to highlight how your experience is relevant to the job description.
• Remember that interviews go two ways, you are seeing if the company is a good fit for you just as much as they are seeing if you will be the right employee for them.

AI can be a useful tool to help you prepare for interviews, supporting your research into the company or using it to practice interview questions. It should be used wisely and to your advantage, so make sure you choose the right tools for you.

Communication and soft skills are key during interviews, as AI is not sophisticated enough to assess how well an individual will fit into an organisation’s culture. Slade emphasised to keep this in mind when using AI to prepare for interviews and ensure that your personality and character can shine through. The same rule applies to employers; whilst AI tools can help speed up the hiring process, they must take the time to develop the human-to-human relationship with each applicant.

Approaching job offers

Once you have received a job offer, it is wise to consider the whole package and what is important to you and your career before accepting. Could this company offer training? Does the company have a good culture and work/life balance? Is the salary competitive for the job market? What benefits do you get alongside your salary?

If you aren’t happy with your offer, don’t be afraid to ask the employer questions. Fuel your negotiation with research on the job market and have confidence in what you are worth to ensure the job offer aligns with your career goals and personal values.

Once you have accepted a new role, it’s a great idea to be proactive before you start. Visiting the office or introducing yourself to your team are great ways to ease into your new job and immerse yourself in the company culture. Asking your new employer questions or reaching out to the company’s HR could help ease any nerves about starting and help to further demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.

Final takeaways

Job seeking doesn’t have to be an intimidating process, as there are lots of tools and tips to ease any distress you feel. AI can be a great tool to assist in many steps of finding a new job, from enhancing your CV to elaborating your interview skills. But we must not be too dependent on it and risk losing authenticity. Being proactive, networking and researching are the best ways to find the right job for you, and ensure you have the best start in your new career.

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