How to Put Together a Portfolio for Marketing Jobs

Before entering the marketing industry or on the lookout for a new job in the field, you’ll need to consider putting together a portfolio. Why, you may ask? Well, having a portfolio at hand is highly beneficial during the interview stages to show prospective employers what you can do.

If you have perhaps carried out a bit of marketing volunteer work or taken on a placement during your studies, you may have worked on a number of projects. It’s not about including every single piece of work you’ve ever completed; but the standout examples that really make you shine.

Unlike copywriters or photographers who can visually present their work, those in the marketing industry can find this more of a challenge. It’s often the case that what you have accomplished can’t be put down on paper.

So, what should you be including in your marketing portfolio when applying for jobs?

A marketing campaign

One of the most important aspects to consider within your portfolio is your own unique marketing campaign that you worked on during your placement or previous job. Take screenshots of all of the elements of the campaign which may include the likes of social media posts, emails, adverts, website content etc.) These screenshots should then act as a prompt for you to talk through the campaign in detail; by expressing your business objectives and how it worked for your target audience.

Your best work

As mentioned, it is always worth adding your most impressive work to the portfolio, rather than filling it with work you don’t believe shows your skillset.

Also, try and include pieces that link to the specific company you’re being interviewed for if you do happen to have had previous experience in the field. Doing so will prove you have the relevant experience to get stuck in straight away, therefore, you may be held in higher regard than other interviewees.

New ideas

Working in the marketing industry means you have to try and keep on top of new ideas, in order for your campaigns to stay current. Before your interview, you should have done on a spot of research on the background of the company to gain an understanding of how your professional skills could be utilised. Within a section of your portfolio, you should explain how your previous experience will benefit the company, in terms of particular marketing goals you have in mind. To do this, come up with a strategic plan and include a brief description of the type of results you expect.

A project that failed

Although it may seem like a strange concept, including a project that didn’t work so well for you will show your understanding of how your marketing skills have progressed and what you learnt from these failures.

You could explain how the marketing strategy you used wasn’t ideal for the target audience for example, but what you took away from the experience to improve your campaigns in future projects. Admitting that something didn’t go well first time around shows a great deal of intelligence on your behalf – so don’t be afraid to admit past mistakes!

Check out our marketing roles here. For more information on marketing, see our blog posts on what is digital marketing, and what is social media marketing.