Technology and automation have allowed businesses to streamline both their processes and their workforces. Because of this, 21st-Century job seekers may notice a recurring theme as they look for work. Employers are expecting candidates to be specialists in several different areas. For professionals in the video production or graphic design field, the most marketable potential employee will be one who can do both, for example.
This is true of sales, human resources, and nearly any other industry. Many young professionals just entering the workforce may not have the diverse skill sets that modern employers are looking for. That’s why they should consider applying at a place where they can hone any of these crafts and learn new specialties: a digital marketing agency.
The hours and location can be flexible
The Covid-19 pandemic introduces millions of people to the concept of remote work from home. Many digital marketing agency employees were already familiar with this setup, as it was their standard practice. Think about it, if you have a computer and software and are preparing a video presentation on the average 401k return, does it really matter where you’re physically located? While there is much to be said for teamwork and physical camaraderie, the fact of the matter is that digital marketing work can be done nearly anywhere. This applies to sales, production, accounting, you name it. It can also be done at any time if management allows it. This can be very appealing to early birds and night owls alike!
Digital marketing work incorporates several 21st-Century skills
Modern businesses require modern skills. An understanding of digital design and basic animation has become a must for content producers across the board. Students just coming out of college may have an advantage here, as these techniques are being taught in design, production, and even business courses. That said, an agency is a perfect environment for cross-training. Agencies are made up of specialists, but more and more their specialties are broad. Even so, no organization likes to have only one person who knows how to do something. Cross-training is embraced and encouraged in the industry.
The industry is only growing
Digital advertising and marketing have grown exponentially between 2010 and 2020. While digital ads were once thought of as an added-value novelty, they are now a huge part of major brands’ media mixes, competing against broadcast, radio, and print for ad dollars. By some accounts, it will soon become the dominant advertising channel, though many traditional media outlets have found ways to package digital offerings with their products by contracting third-party digital vendors.
It’s not just major brands who are investing in digital. Small, local restaurants and salons can benefit greatly from targeted ads on social, geofencing, or retargeting campaigns. This means that digital agencies are in demand everywhere for businesses big and small. There’s no sign of digital marketing growth slowing down anytime soon.
It can be a launchpad to your next career move
Consider all the different positions in digital marketing agencies. You have salespeople, copywriters, graphic designers, digital designers, media buyers, videographers and photographers, video producers, management, accounting, human resources, and more. In many cases, employees are wearing multiple hats as we mentioned before. How could working in this environment not look good on your resume, or help you in a job interview?
Let’s say you want to move into a different industry as a sales manager or marketing director. If you’ve put in a few years in the digital agency environment, you’ll be able to absorb knowledge and strategies to help you get a leg up on applicants who may have a narrower skill set.
Conclusion
Digital used to be the future. It’s now the present. Where some companies used to be hesitant to dip their toes in digital and social advertising, most now understand they can’t afford not to invest in them. A job in digital marketing can give you steady work and a diverse skill set that will serve you along whatever career path you desire.
