Digital Marketing Qualifications

[saioasan]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting in this forum, but hopefully it will be the first time of many times!

I have no experience or qualifications in marketing, but I would like to get in Digital Marketing. I would like to do an online course as I live in Spain. After searching I have reduce the options to 2 courses:

1) CIM Level 4 Diploma in Digital Marketing

2) Google Squared Level 7 Certificate in Digital Marketing

I have already contacted colleges that offer those courses and I would be accepted in any of them. Which one would be better to get a job later?

Thanks a lot for any advice given!

 

[PPC_Matt]

I haven't head of either of them; when I was agency side we'd generally look for graduates to fill entry level roles with any relevant degree knowing that there's not that many digital themed degrees out there. A lot of bigger agencies will just want to see that you've done well at Uni and that you're able to learn. They'll usually run some sort of graduate day to test relevant skills.

Although it's going to be very important to get a qualification, but a part that will be key is getting some relevant experience somewhere. It may be that you get lucky and find somewhere that combines your language skills together with Digital Marketing. Do whatever it takes to get a foot in a door somewhere and get some experience on your CV!

 

[totallyinbound]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting in this forum, but hopefully it will be the first time of many times!

I have no experience or qualifications in marketing, but I would like to get in Digital Marketing. I would like to do an online course as I live in Spain. After searching I have reduce the options to 2 courses:

1) CIM Level 4 Diploma in Digital Marketing

2) Google Squared Level 7 Certificate in Digital Marketing

I have already contacted colleges that offer those courses and I would be accepted in any of them. Which one would be better to get a job later?

Thanks a lot for any advice given!

If you can combine technology with marketing in some way, that often leads to good candidates. For example Computer Science & Business, with an emphasis on marketing modules on the business side. People that can code (php, html, css, javascript), as well as market are in pretty high demand, especially at smaller agencies where people tend to have to wear "more than one hat" as such. Maths/stats is another good one, especially if you are more interested in the Analytics side, and particularly analytics for larger clients.

It's also well worth taking the free online Hubspot university course & exam, in terms of practical inbound marketing knowledge. Lots of the marketing you learn in a degree beyond the basics won't be directly relevant to digital marketing today, as it's such a fast evolving industry. So taking things like the Hubspot inbound marketing exam are a good way of separating yourself from other candidates. It's important to know about segmentation, demographics, the marketing mix and everything else, but that's very much foundational stuff, and you will struggle to find a role just based in those things at most agencies. You really need to learn how to "do", rather than just analyse, too.

Inbound marketing is in my opinion (and lots of others) the direction digital marketing is heading in, so it'd be a good thing to have knowledge of. It's all about getting people to your website when they are interested in your product/service, rather than making tons of adverts, forcing yourself into people's lives whether they are interested in your product/services or not, etc.

It's also well worth subscribing to a number of digital marketing blogs: spend 30 mins - an hour a day reading them. It'll give you lots of great stuff to talk about in interviews, and really shows off your passion for digital marketing & that you enjoy learning more about it.

 

[EddyP]

Never heard of them either. It's nice to see that they are getting with the times though.

Is the Google one officially sanctioned by them? If so then that would add very much to the credibility of the course (and ultimately the qualification).

 

[NicholasTaylor]

CIM (chartered institute of marketing) qualifications are fairly common, I've seen many a job requesting that the candidate have them. Personally I'm not sure about them - I value proven experience over a certification every time.

The Google Qualifications are hit and miss, only ever met one PPC agency which requires you to have it - and that was because they thought it made them stand out as an 'Adwords Qualified Company.'

 

[alex richardson]

This is my humble opinion - Dont worry about qualifications.

Build some sites, mess around with them until they rank. Figure out what made the rank and convert, then try again on a new site.

If this works, then move onto your next goal and so on.
This is how I got started and now work for myself.

 

[saioasan]

Thank you very much for all your replies.

I have got the impression that most of you think that I shouldn't really bother doing a course. My question now is, if I self-teach myself, how would I be able to prove to any employer that I got the knowledge and/or the ability? Do you really think that it's possible to get a job in Digital Marketing without any formal experience or qualifications? If the answer is yes, please let me know how.

Google Squared is sanctioned by Google and the IPA. It's also a level 7 in the National Qualification Framework in the UK (equivalent to a master). The price is £ 1,200. The CIM Diploma is Level 4 and I could do it for £ 800 in the London School of Marketing.

Thanks again!

 

[NicholasTaylor]

Thank you very much for all your replies.

I have got the impression that most of you think that I shouldn't really bother doing a course. My question now is, if I self-teach myself, how would I be able to prove to any employer that I got the knowledge and/or the ability? Do you really think that it's possible to get a job in Digital Marketing without any formal experience or qualifications? If the answer is yes, please let me know how.

Google Squared is sanctioned by Google and the IPA. It's also a level 7 in the National Qualification Framework in the UK (equivalent to a master). The price is £ 1,200. The CIM Diploma is Level 4 and I could do it for £ 800 in the London School of Marketing.

Thanks again!

I got a job without any marketing qualifications, it was a very entry-level position - but I've since worked my way to management.

I never hide the fact from the peers that I'm still learning, I don't believe you can be 'finished' in Digital Marketing - the game changes far to often to be that complacent.

If I was you, I look at internships and apprenticeships - that's what I done and whilst I don't wish the wage on anyone (I was earning around £2.20 an hour) - I now earn enough to support me and my partner in our home with regular trips abroad (which I believe, at 21, is quite a testament to the scheme).

 

[Annoying Donkey]

I have got the impression that most of you think that I shouldn't really bother doing a course.

I'm with Nicholas on this. IMHO practical experience is preferable over academic qualifications. However some people prefer to learn by a formal course. If that is you, then a course might be preferable. You need to decide that for yourself.

You might also consider finding a mentor. Many of the people I know shortened their learning curve by having an already successful mentor.

My question now is, if I self-teach myself, how would I be able to prove to any employer that I got the knowledge and/or the ability?

Create some websites, rank them and make some sales. You'll then be able to show an employer what you can do...

And if you cannot sell yourself to an employer how do you ever think you could make it in Digital Marketing...? IMHO online marketing is harder than selling person to person.

Do you really think that it's possible to get a job in Digital Marketing without any formal experience or qualifications? If the answer is yes, please let me know how.

I've never sought out a job, but I cannot see why you shouldn't be able to. After all, if you're looking for a job in marketing, you should be able to market yourself...

You might want to consider if you really want a job. Most people I know who taught themselves, or via a mentor, are making far more under their own efforts than they'd ever earn in a job. And they have considerably more freedom than someone in a job. Many I know are travelling the world while earning six figures plus...

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting in this forum, but hopefully it will be the first time of many times!

I have no experience or qualifications in marketing, but I would like to get in Digital Marketing.

Firstly, I think you need to narrow that down. What would you actually like to do? Why would you like to do it? What makes you think you'd be good at it?

The answers to those questions should give you a clearer idea about which path to follow.

Hope this helps,

Steve

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Create some websites, rank them and make some sales. You'll then be able to show an employer what you can do...

(Or use PPC to get traffic and sell stuff to those people. Or facebook... or whatever form of digital marketing you want to do...)

The advice is good: there's nothing stopping you from creating proof you can do what a potential employer is looking for.

Steve

 

[marcfreund363]

I suggest you to choose Digital Marketing Becuse he have tremendous career growth in coming time. Advanced Program always better for carrier growth...

 

[milguad]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting in this forum, but hopefully it will be the first time of many times!

I have no experience or qualifications in marketing, but I would like to get in Digital Marketing. I would like to do an online course as I live in Spain. After searching I have reduce the options to 2 courses:

1) CIM Level 4 Diploma in Digital Marketing

2) Google Squared Level 7 Certificate in Digital Marketing

I have already contacted colleges that offer those courses and I would be accepted in any of them. Which one would be better to get a job later?

Thanks a lot for any advice given!

I am a certified marketer from the IDM (Institute of Direct Marketing), I can tell you that they are very good. The CIM is also good and well known as being the Chartered Institute of Marketing), from experience their course are excellent so I will definitely encourage you to chose them.

 

[Concept Vehicle Leasing]

Hi there. I am doing a CAM (CIM) digital marketing diploma and was told it is one of the best awards in our industry. It is internationally know and accepted by something like 95% of employers. Well worth the time and money!

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting in this forum, but hopefully it will be the first time of many times!

I have no experience or qualifications in marketing, but I would like to get in Digital Marketing. I would like to do an online course as I live in Spain. After searching I have reduce the options to 2 courses:

1) CIM Level 4 Diploma in Digital Marketing

2) Google Squared Level 7 Certificate in Digital Marketing

I have already contacted colleges that offer those courses and I would be accepted in any of them. Which one would be better to get a job later?

Thanks a lot for any advice given!

 

[Mita]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting in this forum, but hopefully it will be the first time of many times!

I have no experience or qualifications in marketing, but I would like to get in Digital Marketing. I would like to do an online course as I live in Spain. After searching I have reduce the options to 2 courses:

1) CIM Level 4 Diploma in Digital Marketing

2) Google Squared Level 7 Certificate in Digital Marketing

I have already contacted colleges that offer those courses and I would be accepted in any of them. Which one would be better to get a job later?

Thanks a lot for any advice given!

Hi,
I am Mita from India.
I believe for learning Digital Marketing having a pre knowledge of marketing is not as necessary as knowing computers and being able to adept new technologies.
I also think certification is not that important if you have enough knowledge in this subject. But to gain this knowledge a well structured course is always helpful. You can have a look at the Digital Marketing course offered by guts go which covers petty much about online marketing and is light on the pocket too!.
I myself have learnt from this course and so can vouch for it. If you have any specific que plz feel free to contact me.
PS. I cannot provide the link to the site as I do not have the privilege yet. email me if you want the same and I will be happy to help.

 

[amitaharij]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting in this forum, but hopefully it will be the first time of many times!

I have no experience or qualifications in marketing, but I would like to get in Digital Marketing. I would like to do an online course as I live in Spain. After searching I have reduce the options to 2 courses:

1) CIM Level 4 Diploma in Digital Marketing

2) Google Squared Level 7 Certificate in Digital Marketing

I have already contacted colleges that offer those courses and I would be accepted in any of them. Which one would be better to get a job later?

Thanks a lot for any advice given!

Hi,

Take the google Squared course if you're liked it. Don't expect that you will just need this though and you will walk in to a digital marketing role. Combine it with other courses that you can afford and are beneficial.

Thanks!

 

[Murray Cowell]

If you ever need help on email marketing as well, contact me on inboxincome.co.uk and I could give you some advice.

All the best, hope you found the best solution!