Graduate Programs

Applying for and interviewing for positions within this community can be a bit different than in other fields. Most of these positions require candidates to have a unique blend of creative, analytical, and communication skills, as well as an understanding of the media landscape and an ability to build relationships. Here are a few areas you may choose to focus on when creating your application materials and interviewing for positions within this community:

• Combination of creative and analytical skills: Communication, media, and marketing jobs often require a unique blend of creative and analytical skills. Candidates must be able to come up with compelling ideas and messages, but they also need to be able to analyze data and understand market trends. When applying to these types of jobs, it's important to showcase both your creativity and your analytical skills.
• Understanding of business principles: Even though many of these jobs are in creative fields, they still require a solid understanding of business principles. Your courses likely provided you with a solid foundation in business concepts such as marketing, finance, and strategy. However, these jobs also require creativity and the ability to think outside the box. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate how you have applied the concepts you have learned in academic projects, internships, or professional roles. During interviews, you may be asked questions about how you would manage a budget, allocate resources, or develop a business plan.
• Experience with digital tools and platforms: With the rise of digital media, candidates who have experience with social media, email marketing, and other digital tools are highly sought after. When applying to these types of jobs, it's important to highlight any experience you have with digital marketing and analytics.
• Strong communication skills: As the name suggests, communication is a key part of these jobs. Candidates must be able to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, consumers, and the public. During interviews, you may be asked to give examples of how you've communicated complex ideas to non-experts or how you've handled difficult situations with clients.
• Focus on building relationships: Building relationships is a critical component of many communications, media, and marketing jobs. Candidates who can demonstrate an ability to build and maintain relationships with clients, media contacts, and other stakeholders are highly valued.

While these are common skills and strengths employers focus on within this community, this list is not all-encompassing. Be sure to pay attention to the job posting you are responding to, and tailor your application materials to fit.