How to develop your career in digital?
30th November 2015
Here, we review how to boost your career prospects in the growing digital information sector. There is currently a strong demand for talent and the right strategy will help you focus your effort, save time and reap rewards perhaps surprisingly quickly.
Those seeking their first post or to make a well-chosen job move in the digital technology field are currently in a relatively strong position. Businesses are more digital than ever; job roles and descriptions are therefore sometimes subject to change. This state of flux is attributable to the emergence of new and more powerful hardware technologies, software design and search techniques – as different priorities develop and come to the fore, so the rules are refined.
To stand out from the crowd and give your career prospects a boost, the right skills help. Currently, recruitment for digital and content strategists and designers is strong – especially web designers with HTML/CSS experience. Additionally, companies are looking for applicants with an understanding of developing effective strategies that make the most of the latest developments in search engine optimisation (SEO), the increasing use of social media, and effective use of online resources to connect and communicate.
Whether searching for a job, posting to a business blog or reading one, the majority of the population interacts with digital media increasingly often – sometimes daily. These websites have to be built, designed and managed over a long period. Google alone employs over 54,000 staff worldwide; some key areas include development, online marketing and content creation. A good understanding of e-commerce and account or company management is helpful to open doors to some roles, whereas a candidate with strong sales experience has a highly transferable skill to be included in the CV and profile write-up for other client-facing positions. Good interpersonal skills are also helpful – whether in software analysis or testing and liasing with users, or sometimes in the case of a more technical role such as programming.
When it is time to draw up a job search action plan, the two basic strategies are, of course, recruitment boards and personal networking. It may also be worth speaking personally with a recruitment agency – choice is important here, because not all recruitment agencies are the same. Here, finding and working with an expert recruiter who specialises in digital roles can make a huge difference. Look for a consultant with relevant experience and who fully understands your skills and the contribution you could make, as well as having an insight into the company’s job requirements. Achieving a better match in this way avoid wasted time and will undoubtedly enhance your future career.
Staff who are familiar with how research and analytic tools are used will also be at an advantage at the application and interview stages for many roles. Businesses often require analysis of how well (or not) an online presence is performing to help focus their time, effort and investment in the right places. Analysts who are able to feed back suggestions to improve brand performance and successfully refine strategy are usually very well rewarded. In many analyst positions, a good head for numbers and logical thinking are highly valued; applicants who are able to demonstrate a successful record of accomplishment here will be seen in a favourable light when interviewing for such roles.
Alternatively, web and graphic design software staff are usually highly creative individuals who are responsible for correctly choosing images to fit well with brands. A quality portfolio of work which is well presented and able to demonstrate the job seeker’s achievements, either online or in person, can be a definite advantage.
What of the question regarding which area offers the best work? It is not usually necessary to move to London, as other centres such as Cambridge and Manchester are now becoming increasingly important in the digital world. In this diverse sector, a variety of opportunities are available – from working on projects with brand awareness and SEO, through online videos or mobile application development to customer-facing positions in client account and general management.
When preparing your key marketing tool, the CV, do bear in mind that employers are increasingly looking for specialists in one area (as opposed to a general computer person). Two or three pages maximum is the generally accepted norm for a CV; at the end, relevant hobbies or other activities should be included to demonstrate an interest in something linked to the sector. Success in one’s current job and achieving objectives as demonstrated against key point indicators should also usually be included, judiciously. As the industry is more connected these days, do be sure that any claims made can be backed up. Finally, do remember a covering letter that summarises your profile and explains why you are applying.
Good luck in developing your career!
To stand out from the crowd and give your career prospects a boost, the right skills help. Currently, recruitment for digital and content strategists and designers is strong – especially web designers with HTML/CSS experience. Additionally, companies are looking for applicants with an understanding of developing effective strategies that make the most of the latest developments in search engine optimisation (SEO), the increasing use of social media, and effective use of online resources to connect and communicate.
Whether searching for a job, posting to a business blog or reading one, the majority of the population interacts with digital media increasingly often – sometimes daily. These websites have to be built, designed and managed over a long period. Google alone employs over 54,000 staff worldwide; some key areas include development, online marketing and content creation. A good understanding of e-commerce and account or company management is helpful to open doors to some roles, whereas a candidate with strong sales experience has a highly transferable skill to be included in the CV and profile write-up for other client-facing positions. Good interpersonal skills are also helpful – whether in software analysis or testing and liasing with users, or sometimes in the case of a more technical role such as programming.
When it is time to draw up a job search action plan, the two basic strategies are, of course, recruitment boards and personal networking. It may also be worth speaking personally with a recruitment agency – choice is important here, because not all recruitment agencies are the same. Here, finding and working with an expert recruiter who specialises in digital roles can make a huge difference. Look for a consultant with relevant experience and who fully understands your skills and the contribution you could make, as well as having an insight into the company’s job requirements. Achieving a better match in this way avoid wasted time and will undoubtedly enhance your future career.
Staff who are familiar with how research and analytic tools are used will also be at an advantage at the application and interview stages for many roles. Businesses often require analysis of how well (or not) an online presence is performing to help focus their time, effort and investment in the right places. Analysts who are able to feed back suggestions to improve brand performance and successfully refine strategy are usually very well rewarded. In many analyst positions, a good head for numbers and logical thinking are highly valued; applicants who are able to demonstrate a successful record of accomplishment here will be seen in a favourable light when interviewing for such roles.
Alternatively, web and graphic design software staff are usually highly creative individuals who are responsible for correctly choosing images to fit well with brands. A quality portfolio of work which is well presented and able to demonstrate the job seeker’s achievements, either online or in person, can be a definite advantage.
What of the question regarding which area offers the best work? It is not usually necessary to move to London, as other centres such as Cambridge and Manchester are now becoming increasingly important in the digital world. In this diverse sector, a variety of opportunities are available – from working on projects with brand awareness and SEO, through online videos or mobile application development to customer-facing positions in client account and general management.
When preparing your key marketing tool, the CV, do bear in mind that employers are increasingly looking for specialists in one area (as opposed to a general computer person). Two or three pages maximum is the generally accepted norm for a CV; at the end, relevant hobbies or other activities should be included to demonstrate an interest in something linked to the sector. Success in one’s current job and achieving objectives as demonstrated against key point indicators should also usually be included, judiciously. As the industry is more connected these days, do be sure that any claims made can be backed up. Finally, do remember a covering letter that summarises your profile and explains why you are applying.
Good luck in developing your career!
