Finding Marketing Jobs in Columbus, Ohio

[Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes and 1 second] It’s a scary time to be a job hunter. Layoffs are crashing all around us. Endless reports continue to share the economy’s ongoing decay. But those things don’t stop your need to find work.

If you want to find a marketing job in Columbus, Ohio then the best thing you can do is network. In fact, you should make this strategy a higher priority than applying for jobs online.

Yes, really. We’ll explain.

Networking vs. Job Applications

You may be sending out endless applications and not making much progress. If this is your sole strategy, you’re essentially chasing your tail. 

An eye-opening report from HubSpot reveals that networking fills 85% of jobs. And did you catch CNBC’s report that 70% of jobs are never publicly posted? All those jobs are either earmarked for internal candidates or people within the recruiter’s network.

Madeline Mann, former HR staffer and current career coach, says job applications alone may get you nowhere. As just one example, the recruiter may take the first 50 applications and find people to interview from that pile. If you’re number 51, your app will never even be reviewed. 

But when you network, you’re meeting people and establishing relationships. If done correctly, these can lead to all sorts of opportunities. That’s because, all in all, people like to help people. If you make a good impression and show value, doors will open up.

OK, so you’re a marketing professional in Columbus, Ohio. Where to start with networking? 

Finding Marketing Jobs in Columbus, Ohio Through Networking

The American Marketing Association is a nationwide organization with smaller chapters peppered across the country. Columbus, Ohio is home to one of those chapters. By attending our chapter’s events, you will meet other marketing professionals right here in town.

Let’s break it down. 

The first step to networking success is to, of course, attend these events. The board is always cooking up plans for future opportunities to gather. Different meet-ups are held at different venues across the city, as members live in every direction within the capital city area. 

You also need to be willing to break out of your comfort zone. And we get it, easier said than done.

Showing up is one thing, but walking up to a total stranger and striking up a conversation? That’s a tall order sometimes—especially for introverts. 

But we have good news. 

AMA Columbus has volunteers on hand whose role is to attend these events and make sure everyone feels welcome and included. That means if you’re a bit of a wallflower, one of our volunteers may come to you, in a completely casual and comfortable way, and kick off a conversation.

In a totally relaxed, positive, and easygoing way.

Furthermore, that volunteer will likely try to introduce you to other people. That means if boldly putting yourself out there, all alone, just isn’t your bag, then you can still succeed. And once you start talking with others at the events, you’ll find pretty much everybody to be warm and accepting.

Why? Because they’re on hand to network too! They’re just as eager to make new connections. Before long, you’ll be engrossed in conversations and working the room.

Congratulations! You’re stepping in the right direction when it comes to finding marketing jobs in Columbus, Ohio. 

Exchange Information 

Once you’ve started to click with someone, ask if you can exchange information. 

For some, this might mean swapping business cards. But more often than not, you’ll find people pulling out their mobile devices and connecting with one another on LinkedIn. 

Show Value

The last thing you want to do is say, “Hey, I’m Chris. Nice to meet you. Can I have a job?” 

It doesn’t work that way. 

First, make a genuine connection. A great way to do that is to remember a simple rule: Most people’s favorite topic is themselves. 

It’s true. So ask them questions about their passions, goals, and interests. Inquire about their company and why they enjoy working there. (Or they don’t don’t enjoy working there and want to bail…)

Once you’ve procured that information, see if you have anything in common. And more importantly, look for opportunities to add value for them. Do you have a connection they could benefit from? Perhaps advice that could prove impactful? An experience they would find insightful for the future? 

At the very least, tell them to take a look through your LinkedIn network (which gives you a great opening for that mutual connection online) and see if there’s anyone to whom they’d like to be introduced. 

If you can’t think of anything else, your willingness to open doors for them is of solid value. 

Once you do that, you’ll find them receptive, maybe even eager, to learn about you and if they can be of assistance on their end. That’s your chance to be open and share a little bit about your goals.

But remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. And neither will your network. Like anything else, it takes time and effort. 

After the Networking Event

So let’s fast-forward to the day after the AMA Columbus networking event. You’ve met some wonderful people and made some fun memories. 

Now what?

There’s nothing wrong with sending your new connections a brief message on LinkedIn that thanks them for the enjoyable evening. And reiterate your value. (Whether that’s a resource or person you can connect them with, expertise you can share, or anything of the sort.) 

This gives them a reason to remember you. 

If any kind of bond has been formed, obviously a first-layer one as you will have just met, the other person will likely again extend an offer to help you, should you need it.

Now you have a connection you can use.

Let’s say you want to apply for a marketing position at Wendy’s or Cardinal Health, or Ohio State. See if your connection perhaps knows the hiring manager or knows someone else who knows the hiring manager. 

That can help bring your resume to the top of the pile.

Or perhaps your new connection (or connections) would be a good gateway to meeting other employees at your dream company. 

You could say, “Hey, I’ve always wanted to work at Nationwide. Do you happen to know anyone who works in their marketing department?” 

Perhaps they do or one of their other connections does. They can make subsequent introductions and you can then arrange an informational interview with that employee at your dream company.

See how that works?

And if you attend multiple events, you’ll keep meeting more people. And the more people you meet, the larger your network grows! 

And it’s all so much more effective than filling out countless online applications at home. 

Final Thoughts

We hope you’ve learned more about the power of networking and the surprisingly large impact it can have on you finding marketing jobs in Columbus, Ohio.

And for your purposes, one can’t get a purer audience of people to network with than a group of other marketers from Columbus! 

Remember to keep an eye on our website and social media channels for the next event. 

Remember, the first step is showing up! 

If you know of anyone else looking to network for marketing jobs in Columbus, please share this blog entry with them. 

And we’ll see you at our next event!