Marketing Career Checklist
Marketing Career Checklist
If you’re like many new college graduates, you get nervous just thinking about how to find a job after graduating from Illinois State University. Embarking on your very first job search is definitely a daunting task. Don’t worry Redbirds, we have put together the ultimate guide to landing a marketing job right after graduation.
We will help you find the solution to finding the best marketing career, while pushing the boundaries for your professional career. We put in the work so you don't have to. We scoured the internet to find top jobs that are compared along so many categories such as benefits, salary, work life balance and over all tasks of the job.
First lesson: There’s no substitute for perseverance and determination. When it comes to job hunting, you get out what you put in.
Second lesson: You’re not alone in this! Illinois State University has many resources related to job hunting that can help. If you're trying to find a job after college, follow these steps to launch your first job search and kick-start your career.
What to expect when looking for a Marketing Career
Coming out of college there are so many marketing jobs out there. While there are so many, the ones we will mainly be looking at are entry-level positions with a marketing title. As we are into the important aspects of a job it is important to follow not only salary but also benefits, PTO, work life balance and what fits you not only as a person but also as an employee. Looking at the average salary for an entry-level marketing job such as the one listed below they typically make around 35,000 - 45,000 while each company is different in the benefits they offer. It is important to keep this in mind while interviewing and talking with other people that work in this organization. Salary isn't everything because if your benefits do not have good coverage you may be paying for this in the long run later. It is best to look for a position that you feel matches you best and will make you excited to go to work each and every day.
Coming out of college there are so many marketing jobs out there. While there are so many, the ones we will mainly be looking at are entry-level positions with a marketing title. As we are into the important aspects of a job it is important to follow not only salary but also benefits, PTO, work life balance and what fits you not only as a person but also as an employee. Looking at the average salary for an entry-level marketing job such as the one listed below they typically make around 35,000 - 45,000 while each company is different in the benefits they offer. It is important to keep this in mind while interviewing and talking with other people that work in this organization. Salary isn't everything because if your benefits do not have good coverage you may be paying for this in the long run later. It is best to look for a position that you feel matches you best and will make you excited to go to work each and every day.
Entry Level Marketing Job Titles
Account CoordinatorSocial Media Coordinator
Project Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Event Marketing Coordinator
Event Marketing Specialist
Marketing Specialist
Social Media Coordinator
Project Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Event Marketing Coordinator
Event Marketing Specialist
Marketing Specialist
- Tailor your resume for each job
Nearly all employers use an applicant tracking system which scans your resume for keywords that they are looking for. This means if your resume does not contain the keywords the company is looking for, your application will most likely not get to the hiring manager.
To get through the tracking system, tweaking your resume to mirror the job postings language is critical. These tweaks should also be applied to your cover letter to enhance your chances.
If the job requirements include hard skills (e.g., Tableau or SPSS for analytical positions), make sure those terms appear word for word on your resume. Cover your bases by scheduling an appointment with a Redbird Career Advisor.
Nearly all employers use an applicant tracking system which scans your resume for keywords that they are looking for. This means if your resume does not contain the keywords the company is looking for, your application will most likely not get to the hiring manager.
To get through the tracking system, tweaking your resume to mirror the job postings language is critical. These tweaks should also be applied to your cover letter to enhance your chances.
If the job requirements include hard skills (e.g., Tableau or SPSS for analytical positions), make sure those terms appear word for word on your resume. Cover your bases by scheduling an appointment with a Redbird Career Advisor.
- Check job posting daily
It is good practice to apply for a job within the first 48 hours of it being posted. A great way to do this is by developing a daily routine. This can be done by starting each day by searching for new job postings on various websites. Another key tip is to monitor your prospective employers’ social media feed to get any updates on positions they are looking for or events they are hosting.
It is good practice to apply for a job within the first 48 hours of it being posted. A great way to do this is by developing a daily routine. This can be done by starting each day by searching for new job postings on various websites. Another key tip is to monitor your prospective employers’ social media feed to get any updates on positions they are looking for or events they are hosting.
- Use Redbird Alumni Network
Getting a job after graduating isn’t easy but the Redbird Alumni Network makes it easier to network with other ISU Alumni. More often than not, prior ISU graduates will be very helpful when it comes to giving job advice to recent graduates.
An effective email introduction template can be copied and used:
“Hi, my name is _____, and I graduated with a degree in _____ from Illinois State University. I found your contact information through our alumni office. I would appreciate just 20 minutes of your time to hear more about what you do at ______ on a daily basis, your career path, and what it’s like to work in the field. I’ve attached a copy of my resume just so you have a frame of reference of my education and experience.”
Getting a job after graduating isn’t easy but the Redbird Alumni Network makes it easier to network with other ISU Alumni. More often than not, prior ISU graduates will be very helpful when it comes to giving job advice to recent graduates.
An effective email introduction template can be copied and used:
“Hi, my name is _____, and I graduated with a degree in _____ from Illinois State University. I found your contact information through our alumni office. I would appreciate just 20 minutes of your time to hear more about what you do at ______ on a daily basis, your career path, and what it’s like to work in the field. I’ve attached a copy of my resume just so you have a frame of reference of my education and experience.”
- Stay up to date with industry news
Research is another key component to landing a job after graduation. Staying up to date on what is going on in the marketing field will give you a head start in the interview process. This can be done by reading trade publications and industry journals, joining professional social media groups and following the social media feeds of marketing companies. By doing this you can stay on top of current trends, up and coming companies, and companies that are having difficulties.
Research is another key component to landing a job after graduation. Staying up to date on what is going on in the marketing field will give you a head start in the interview process. This can be done by reading trade publications and industry journals, joining professional social media groups and following the social media feeds of marketing companies. By doing this you can stay on top of current trends, up and coming companies, and companies that are having difficulties.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
Now that you have done all the preparation necessary to get an interview, you need to finish strong with a great interview. The best way to do this is by preparing your answers for common interview questions, such as “Why do you want to work for this company?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”.
Once you have familiarized yourself with common interview questions, you should learn as much as possible about the company you are interviewing with. This will help you answer company specific questions that may arise such as, “What product is your favorite that our company makes?” or “Who do you think is our biggest competitor?” By having readily available answers to these questions, the interviewer will know that you have done your due diligence.
This information is generally easy to find on their website. You can also follow their social media accounts and read their annual reports for a better understanding of the company.
Finally, a professional appearance can set you apart from the rest of the competition. Make sure to have appropriate interview attire and a professional sounding voicemail/greeting. You should also make sure that your social media profiles do not draw any unwanted attention.
Now that you have all the necessary steps to land that dream job you want after graduation, make sure to practice and stay persistent until you get your first job offer.
Now that you have done all the preparation necessary to get an interview, you need to finish strong with a great interview. The best way to do this is by preparing your answers for common interview questions, such as “Why do you want to work for this company?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”.
Once you have familiarized yourself with common interview questions, you should learn as much as possible about the company you are interviewing with. This will help you answer company specific questions that may arise such as, “What product is your favorite that our company makes?” or “Who do you think is our biggest competitor?” By having readily available answers to these questions, the interviewer will know that you have done your due diligence.
This information is generally easy to find on their website. You can also follow their social media accounts and read their annual reports for a better understanding of the company.
Finally, a professional appearance can set you apart from the rest of the competition. Make sure to have appropriate interview attire and a professional sounding voicemail/greeting. You should also make sure that your social media profiles do not draw any unwanted attention.
Now that you have all the necessary steps to land that dream job you want after graduation, make sure to practice and stay persistent until you get your first job offer.
Top 10 Marketing Companies/Agencies Hiring in Illinois:
We know that the job search process can be extremely scary so we did the work and compiled a list of the top 10 companies/agencies that are currently looking for marketing employees in Illinois.
Top 5: Marketing Companies hiring in Illinois
MERGE Marketing : This is a full service marketing and advertising agency that specializes in healthcare, life science, financial services, consumer goods, and retail.
Chicago Marketing: This company is a privately owned marketing and brand management firm. They specialize in brand awareness, retail sales, and customer acquisition.
The Pepper Group: This company helps clients generate leads, leverage new technology, and reach goals. They are looking for marketing majors that are skilled in applying communications, design, video and web technology.
Kemper: Kemper is a leading public relations, sports marketing and event management company based in Chicago.
Accenture: This company helps businesses activate purpose, prioritize experience, and drive sustainable growth. They provide digital marketing services which include content creation and modification.
Top 5: Advertising Agencies hiring in Illinois
Rule 29: A creative advertising company that specializes in brand building, strategy, and storytelling. Their main focus is creating things that are creative and unique for each client.
The Remnant Agency: This agency focuses on TV and radio ads and helps companies get more ads in these areas for a smaller cost.
Cultivate: A strategic marketing group that helps small businesses grow and reach that next step. They help with web development, content creation, logo design, and marketing strategy.
PKG Brand Design: Marketing group that puts their main focus into packaging. They design clients packaging to stand out and carry their message.
Critical Mass: An agency that specializes in the customer experience and the employee experience. Their main clients are tech and car companies such as Nissan, BMW, and AT&T.
