Have you dreamed of a career in social media but worry you don’t have the education or credentials to get hired? Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your goals.

Landing a job in social media doesn’t require a degree in digital marketing. In such a fast-paced field, your ability to create relevant content and adapt to industry trends are just as important (many would argue they’re more important) to getting hired and finding success.

In this post, we explore 7 tips for how to land a social media role without a formal education:

  1. Acquire Relevant Skills: Information is readily available online so teach yourself what you need to know (think: copywriting, photography, or graphic design using Canva or Photoshop). Play around on apps and watch tutorials on YouTube if you’re not able to invest in formal courses.
  2. Stay in the Loop: Half the job is keeping up to date and in-tune with all relevant social media applications. Stay in the know and understand each platform as they change and adapt.
  3. Create Content that Can Double as Your “Portfolio”: Let your skills speak for themselves with digital content that is creative, timely and professional. Bonus? Build a social footprint across all channels to show just how savvy and passionate you are!
  4. Expand Your Horizons: Join a digital marketing room on Clubhouse or attend a virtual conference to broaden your skills. While gaining valuable information, you can connect with likeminded people and industry professionals.
  5. Tap Into Your Network: Did you know employee referrals are 4x more likely to get hired?* We know it can be intimidating to cold call professional contacts, but more often than not people want to help! Go ahead and schedule that coffee chat and get the word out there that you’re looking!
  6. Revamp your Resume: Stand out from the pack with a stellar CV. In addition to a standard resume, why not create a TikTok highlight reel that demonstrates your creativity? Show a prospective employer how you’ll put your skills to work at work.
  7. Apply! Apply! Apply! Job boards, LinkedIn, and company websites are all great places to look and apply for open positions. Let the fear of rejection be a thing of the past and make your application visible to as many businesses as possible! One of them is bound to bite!

Social media is standard business practice today and it’s a great time to get in on the action!

Don’t be discouraged if you lack a formal education in this field. There are many ways to demonstrate your skills, show your proficiency, and set yourself apart that don’t involve a post-secondary degree.

We hope the above tips will help you land the social media job of your dreams.

You’ve got this!

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