What qualifications do marketing employers look for in entry level jobs right out of college?

[ssl488]

[Mechele]

Hi, the answers to this are as varied as the types of companies you may be interested in working for.

Whether you're going into a boutique agency or corporate marketing department however, I'd say there are a few essential qualifications and 'indicators' that will will make you look good. Right out of college you may not have a lot of established capabilities so I'd recommend focusing on activities, accomplishments, etc. that "indicate" you have potential and the traits of a solid employee-- commitment, strategic thinking, ability to be flexible, solid work ethic, intelligence, etc. During the interview process btw, if your interviewer is not stiff as a board, show them you have a sense of humor. Humor usually goes hand in hand with smarts, flexibility, ease of fitting in with others, etc on a subconscious level.

Remember, an employer doesn't have a whole lot to go on, especially when hiring people just out of college. It's a risk. So you're job is to de-risk the choice for them with examples of how brilliant, motivated and dependable you are. And more essentially for marketing, that you are both creative and strategic in your thinking.

Some suggestions:
- get awards
- volunteer with good causes and do marketing work
- intern at marketing companies or companies who need marketing
- get certified if you can (ex. Google adwords certification). Join elance and go through their tests
- get paid work if you can doing small projects on elance, fivver, etc so you can add to resume.
- Build your online reputation by getting involved on linked in, marketingland.com, start a blog - volunteer to help local organizations (ie. animal shelters, etc) with their marketing for free to build resume
- get involved in a project or cause that takes a ton of energy for a short period of time. This indicate to an employer you're willing to put in whatever it takes to get the job done.
- show that you know how to market yourself. Buy yourname.com and build it up as a resume. I would do this now. Also pick up your name on Twitter, blogger, tumblr and start writing
- while in college get a temp. job that shows you can take on responsibility. A management job would be great, even if it's a a non-related job like clothing. Work for dirt, just to get the Mgmt. title. Just working while in college says a lot to an employer.

Best of luck to you!