As somebody working within marketing, you may have found it difficult to sell yourself in the correct way when it comes to the interview. With continuously tempting marketing jobs available, it makes sense that if you want to progress in your career, you’re going to want to ensure that you can sell yourself to any prospective employer. With that in mind, it might be a good idea to think about creating a marketing portfolio.

You may have all the required skills and the experience that a company is looking for, but sometimes it can be difficult to fully explain the previous campaigns you have worked on to a prospective employer. Marketing is visual, so just reeling off why a campaign worked isn’t going to sound as impressive as showing them. Having a portfolio to take with you to an interview can help set you apart from other candidates and will give you a constant talking point.

Tell your story

You want any potential employer to buy into you, so your portfolio should tell your story. Don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements, so before you begin work on your portfolio think about your career and the different campaigns you have worked on. You may surprise yourself with the volume of work you have done, so if possible, start from the beginning and work your way through. That way your interviewer will be able to track your progress through your work.

Get the structure right

Remember that you will potentially be guiding your interviewer through the portfolio, so the structure has to be just right. Make sure you know the key points of each campaign that you want to highlight and include them in the portfolio, you can then use the pointers as prompts to fill the potential employer in on any back story you think is relevant. It’s also worth noting that your portfolio should also be self-explanatory because occasionally you may be required to send it along with your CV when you apply for marketing jobs.

The right blend

Although you may have a wealth of experience when it comes to marketing, you don’t want to cram your portfolio with everything you’ve ever worked on. Instead it’s a good idea to go through your work and select around six examples of previous campaigns. These examples should be mixed so they show your versatility, while also being strong campaigns in their own right. Don’t forget, you can always substitute out some campaigns for others depending on the job role you are applying for.

Your value

Above all else, the interviewer will be looking to see what value you can bring to the organisation and a portfolio is a great way to show them what you can bring to the table. Don’t be shy when it comes to including the odd stat in your portfolio. If, for example, you have worked on a campaign that generated a significant amount of revenue for a previous employer, make sure you include it.

To keep up-to-date on all the latest marketing trends and interview advice, contact us at Creative Mettle today.