Your Degree Isn’t Enough: How to Craft a Standout Resume for a Career in Marketing
Reading Time: ~3 Mins | Written By: Darian Kovacs
According to data collected and reported by Vicinity Jobs, marketing coordinator job postings across Canada saw a 11.56% increase in 2024 compared to 2023. The jump to 4,752 postings from 4,256 signals consistent and growing demand for entry-level talent. However, despite this surge in demand, recent graduates are taking longer than ever to secure their first job post-degree. According to RBC, unlike previous recessions, today’s job market hasn’t experienced a major spike in layoffs. Instead, the challenge lies in absorbing newly available workers—including recent graduates—as Canada’s population continues to grow.
With new graduates facing extended job searches and making up a significant portion of Canada’s unemployment rate, how can you ensure your resume stands out in a competitive landscape? Here are key strategies to help you land a job faster after graduation.
It’s important to understand that a degree alone isn’t enough to secure a marketing job. Employers want to see real-world experience, industry involvement, and proactive career preparation. But how do you gain those insights without entering the workforce? To help with that, think of university as a launching pad instead of just four years spent in a classroom - handing in assignments, studying for tests and socializing with classmates. Consider incorporating these extracurricular activities into your post-secondary experience:
Benefit: Gain hands-on experience and industry connections.
Marketing associations & school clubs
Benefit: Build leadership skills and expand your network.
Teaching assistant roles
Benefit: Strengthen communication and mentorship experience.
Benefit: Gain hands-on experience and showcase your willingness to enhance your skills.
Being able to list leadership roles—such as President of a Marketing Association—or highlight internships with real-world marketing experience will set you apart from other candidates. These experiences demonstrate initiative, problem-solving abilities, and industry exposure, even before you officially enter the workforce.
It’s also important to diversify your skill set. The term "digital marketing" has become increasingly broad. Many entry-level roles now require knowledge across multiple disciplines, including but not limited to:
SEO & content marketing
Paid digital advertising (ex. Google & Meta Ads)
Public relations & media outreach
Social media management
While universities provide a strong foundation, degree programs often don’t cover the full spectrum of modern digital marketing skills. That’s where specialized training programs—such as the Jelly Academy Digital Marketing Bootcamp —can give you an edge. Courses like these provide practical, industry-relevant training that aligns with employer expectations, helping you confidently showcase tangible skills on your resume.
The last piece to remember when you’re building your resume is to show, don’t tell. Employers value soft skills like communication, writing, teamwork, attention to detail, and organization. However, simply listing these skills on your resume isn’t enough—you need proof.
A strong portfolio showcasing your marketing experience—whether from internships, school projects, or marketing association initiatives—can make all the difference. Employers are looking for evidence of your work, such as:
Social media campaigns you managed
Content pieces you’ve written or contributed to
SEO or paid ad strategies you developed
Event marketing or PR projects you led
By proactively gaining experience, upskilling, and building a portfolio, you can position yourself as a top candidate in an increasingly competitive digital marketing job market. Don’t let the most crucial four years of your future career slip away, ensure that you’re making the most of your time at the post-secondary level, capitalizing on all the opportunities you can.
At the end of the day, your degree may get your foot in the door, but it’s the extra steps you take that will secure your future in marketing.
