Most advice about job applications is so bland it could put a toddler to sleep. "Tailor your CV" or "Research the company" might be true, but let’s be honest – everyone is doing that. If you’re aiming for a digital or marketing role, the bar is higher. Your job is literally to market brands, products, or services, so if you can’t market yourself effectively, why should anyone trust you with their business?
I'm going to tell you how to stand out in applying for digital marketing jobs with actionable advice that actually works – and challenges the outdated norms you’ve been told to follow.
Step 1: Build a Personal Brand That Screams "I Belong in Marketing"
When applying for digital marketing jobs, your personal brand isn’t just about how you look online; it’s your opportunity to show that you get marketing. Treat yourself like a campaign – you’re the product, and hiring managers are the audience.
1. Define What Makes You Unique
Start by identifying what makes you a standout candidate. Ask yourself:
What unique problems can you solve for a business?
Which of your past achievements proves you can do this?
For instance, if you’re an SEO wizard, talk about how you increased organic traffic by 300%. If you’re a social media guru, share how you turned Instagram followers into paying customers. Specificity is key.
2. Your LinkedIn Is Your Marketing Hub
Think of LinkedIn as your digital storefront. Hiring managers will look you up, so make it count:
Headline:Â Skip vague titles like "Marketing Professional." Go for "Digital Marketer | Increased ROI by 200% for E-Commerce Brands."
About Section: This is your pitch deck. Highlight your biggest wins, focus on metrics, and keep it conversational. For example: "I specialise in creating data-driven social campaigns that convert. My last project delivered a £100k uplift in sales within 60 days."
Content:Â Post regularly about trends, your take on campaigns, or your achievements. Active profiles get noticed.
3. Create a Portfolio That Stands Out
Skip clunky PDFs and make a website. Platforms like Webflow and Squarespace let you create sleek portfolios that showcase your projects with metrics and outcomes:
Include live campaign links or case studies.
Break down the challenges, your strategies, and the results.
Step 2: Craft a CV That Sells Your Skills (and Gets You Found)
Your CV is your ticket to the interview stage, but most candidates fail at the basics. If you’re applying for digital marketing jobs, remember this: your CV isn’t about you – it’s about how you can solve their problems.
1. Put Metrics Front and Centre
Hiring managers aren’t impressed by fluffy descriptions. Instead, lead with measurable results:
Weak: "Managed Facebook campaigns."
Strong: "Optimised Facebook ads to reduce CPC by 40% while increasing conversions by 25%."
2. Align Your CV with the Role
Tailoring doesn’t mean rewriting your CV every time. Instead:
Mirror the job description’s language (naturally).
Highlight skills they’ve listed as requirements.
Use keywords strategically to improve your chances of being found.
3. Include Keywords, But Don’t Keyword-Stuff
You’re not writing for robots. Including terms like "SEO," "email marketing," or "analytics" ensures you show up in searches – but only in context. For example:
"Developed an SEO strategy that ranked 15 pages on page one of Google."
4. Make It Easy to Read
Clutter kills. A clean, modern design with bullet points and plenty of white space is key. Remember:
Hiring managers scan CVs for 6–10 seconds.
Focus on clear headings, consistent fonts, and concise formatting.
Step 3: Stand out in applying for Digital Marketing roles by Nailing the Interview
Landing an interview is just step one. To truly stand out in applying for digital marketing jobs, your interview needs to demonstrate that you understand their challenges and have the solutions.
1. Research Beyond the Surface
Don’t just read the "About Us" page. Dig deeper:
Analyse their recent campaigns. What worked? What didn’t?
Review their competitors’ strategies.
Identify gaps in their marketing efforts and think about how you’d fill them.
2. Prepare Stories That Prove Your Value
Every hiring manager loves a success story. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to craft compelling answers that showcase your experience:
Example: "At [Company], I noticed our email campaigns had high open rates but low conversions. I introduced segmented lists and A/B testing, increasing sales by 35% in three months."
Remember, the expectation that anyone applying for digital marketing roles will stand out is high from the get go.
3. Flip the Script with Smart Questions
At the end of the interview, ask questions that show you’ve done your homework:
"What’s been your most successful campaign, and what drove its success?"
"What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing, and how could I help solve it?"
4. Don’t Play It Safe
Hiring managers aren’t just looking for competence; they want fresh ideas. Share bold suggestions on how you’d improve their marketing efforts. Even if they don’t implement them, you’ll show you’re forward-thinking and invested.
Step 4: After the Interview, Keep Marketing Yourself
Most candidates think the interview is the final step. It’s not. Post-interview is your chance to keep showing why you’re the perfect fit.
1. Follow Up with Substance
A generic thank-you note is nice but forgettable. Instead, follow up with:
A short idea or solution to a challenge they mentioned.
A relevant article or resource that adds value to your discussion.
2. Stay Visible
Connect on LinkedIn and engage with their content. This keeps you top of mind without being overbearing.
Final Thoughts: Stand Out in Applying for Digital Marketing Jobs by Owning Your Narrative
Standing out isn’t about following outdated rules or ticking boxes. It’s about being bold, owning your value, and proving that you understand the job better than anyone else. Your CV, personal brand, and interview are your campaign tools – use them to market yourself as the no-brainer choice.
Start implementing these strategies today and give yourself the edge in applying for digital marketing jobs.
Want more no-nonsense advice? Reach out to Digital Talent Lab and let’s get you noticed.
Need more no-nonsense advice? At Digital Talent Lab, we specialise in connecting businesses with top digital and marketing talent. Our candidate-led recruitment process ensures you’re front of mind and part of a dynamic community.
Unsure of how to get noticed? Reach out, and we’ll give you honest feedback—no strings attached.
Ready to be part of our community? Let’s talk.
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