How to Land Your First Digital Marketing Job: Part 1

How-to-Land-Your-First-Digital-Marketing-Job-Part-1How-to-Land-Your-First-Digital-Marketing-Job-Part-1

Now that we’ve expressed how stressful graduating from college can be (see The Intern’s Guide to Handling College Graduation), it’s time for us to help you land your dream (digital marketing) job. You’re going to kill it out there in the real world.

Let’s start with your resume. Resumes can be the trickiest part in landing your first post-grad job. You only have a sheet (or two) to tell the hiring manager what you’re all about. No worries though; we’re here to give you all the tips and tricks you will need to move forward in the hiring process. Below you will find the answers to questions you’ve been wondering throughout college and get an inside look from the mind of a hiring manager in the digital marketing world.

Question: What is the number one thing hiring managers look for on the resume of a potential entry-level employee in digital marketing?

Answer: What’s most important is the identification of your personal values and your work ethic. Your character is what makes you a strong candidate because most things can be taught in entry-level positions.

Question: What’s the deal with the one-page resume rule?

Answer: We believe your resume should be as long as it needs to be to convey your work experience, skill set, references, values and work ethic. However, make sure that everything on your resume is helping you and isn’t there just to fill space.

Question: How can you make your resume stand out?

Answer: Hiring managers want to get a sense of who you are from your resume, not just why you are qualified on paper. With that being said, make sure you are conveying your values, passions and character. Use color and/or imagery to make your resume stand out; don’t just be a number. Consider adding a personal summary to your resume and why you qualify for the job. Hiring managers don’t want to feel like you are sending the exact same resume out to a bunch of other companies. If you expect an employer to give you personal attention for the position, take time and make your resume personal.

Question: How crucial is internship experience for an entry-level position in digital marketing?

Answer: It’s almost imperative nowadays to qualify candidates who have internship experience. Here at The Social Firm, we’ve made a pattern of even offering full-time positions to our interns. Once a company has invested in you, and you’ve shown them what you have to offer, it can be a natural progression to get promoted to a full-time employee.

Question: Do hiring managers consider GPA as a factor on a resume?

Answer: Some do; some don’t. It can be a factor, but not always a disqualifying factor.

Question: How long do hiring managers usually glance at resumes?

Answer: This also depends. It can range from less than 10 seconds to a minute.

Question: How do hiring managers weed out candidates based on resumes?

Answer: Here at The Social Firm, we create position profiles which outline what we are looking for in a candidate. When we list requirements for a position, these requirements are non-negotiable. However, that’s not always the case with other companies. We also make sure potential candidates are active in the community and see if their values align with ours.

Question: How should you tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for?

Answer: Take the time to get to know the company you are applying to. Be proactive and do your homework. Find previous articles, clients and industries the company has been featured in or worked in. Relate these and discuss how and where you fit in. Also, take a look at the job description and responsibilities of the position you are applying for. You can then relate those to your experience and incorporate similar responsibilities on your resume.

It can be difficult to strategize and perfect your resume, but it definitely pays off. Once you perfect your resume (we know you will), stay tuned for how to nail your interview and officially become employed. We believe in you.

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Matt Erney
STRATEGIC MARKETING DIRECTOR
After founding Social Firm in 2010, I learned that having a healthy business online requires an equal balance of messaging, design and marketing. My vision is to help businesses compete in the marketplace by simplifying, clarifying and then amplifying their message.

I currently lead the Strategic Marketing team at Social Firm. I believe that to achieve greatness, one must be intentional and move quickly with focus beyond one’s self. I love Columbus and am energized by helping businesses realize their digital potential.
Jason Willis
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Like many in the design world, I started out as a freelance. My early career was on the sales and marketing side of business, and I’ve worked with, and for several large companies. However, my greatest joy is helping and sharing in the success of locally owned organizations.

When I’m not tailgating at an OSU game or playing tennis, I love traveling and creating new experiences with my best girl Kelly and my "little gentleman" dog Charlie. I like visiting all the new restaurants popping up around town and seeing which one can make the best Old Fashioned.
Julie Englerth
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Julie is fully remote and hails from Longview, Texas, deep in the heart of the “Piney Woods” of East Texas where she lives with her husband and three amazing kids. She is also an experienced worship leader at her local church where her husband is a full-time worship pastor. Julie is passionate about encouraging and empowering people around her, leading worship, leading small groups at her church, or spending time with her loved ones.

She works closely with Matt in day-to-day communications and strategic planning. She has a knack for learning new things quickly!
Laura Elliott
Senior Digital Strategist
I have been in the digital marketing space since graduating from Xavier University in 2012 and I have experience in both the B2C and B2B realms. I specialize in digital advertising and have seen how it has evolved and grown over time. It has been exciting to keep up with all the new developments and changes throughout the years in the world of advertising and I thoroughly enjoy researching ways to leverage these changes to improve success for my clients. Throughout my career, I’ve honed and adapted my skills in data analytics and lead generation and enjoy learning about new industries and driving success for each of my clients!

When I’m not at work, I love to spend time with my family and traveling. My main goal is to travel all over the world with my husband and son!
Ally Gatien
DIGITAL SPECIALIST
Since graduating from the University of Dayton in 2021 with a focus in Marketing, I have worked for both a small local media agency and a large television station. In my professional career, I am most recently coming from a Digital Sales Coordinator role where I was able to focus in on all Digital Marketing tactics after learning about the world of broadcast TV. I am passionate about helping others and I look forward to being able to help countless local businesses as a Digital Specialist on a more efficient and effective scale!
Geno Marinelli
DIGITAL SPECIALIST
A fresh graduate from The Ohio State University, I’m excited to absorb as much as I possibly can! With prior experience in both advertising creative and strategy, I’m excited to learn from the best. I enjoy staying ahead of the curve, understanding or contextualizing the latest trends and developments in tech and Marketing. If there’s a disruptor, I want to know how it works, why it’s working, and if it can work for us.

As a Digital Marketing Specialist, I will assist in strategy, implementing changes and new initiatives on behalf of our clients helping them to reach their goals and achieve results. My favorite part of any final reveal is the before and after; the side-by-side comparison of the old and the new motivates me to always be looking for new and innovative ideas.
Terence Womble
CONTENT MANAGER
I spent the first half of my career working in public relations and marketing mostly in New York City but also in Toronto, Philadelphia and Columbus. Even with clients as diverse as Philip Morris, The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Shakespeare in Central Park, CAPA, Jazz Arts Group, or Broadway shows, the common theme has been compelling stories. Helping craft and share stories for our clients is my passion.

Other passions? Sure. Tennis, jazz, classical music and classic disco; reading, documentaries, fact-based dramas, and forensic crime shows. I also enjoy a perfectly mixed and presented Manhattan – up or on the rocks.
Sheena Erney
ACCOUNTING
I spent over 10 years in corporate banking and quit corporate life to be a stay-at-home mom before my second child turned one. I love taking my four little ones on adventures, but I missed the hustle and bustle of work life. It’s exciting to work for a small business where we can so easily stay up to date and develop our processes as business needs change. Best of all, I get to work with my husband!

When I'm not working, I enjoy golf, reading, traveling and playing cards. Watching our four children learn and grow is one of the greatest joys of my life.
Doug Bierl
STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGER
I have an inherent desire to help people and I like to figure out how to best connect people with something they need. That led me to a career in marketing and client services, primarily in marketing strategy and planning in product management, advertising account management, and marketing consulting.

When I’m not at work, you may see me walking the streets of Westerville with my wife, Julaine, or in a cafe meeting with a guy talking about life and faith. I value time with family, staying physically active and being outdoors brings me energy and joy.