How to Break into B2B

A career in B2B marketing can be exciting, fulfilling and extremely varied – but what does it take to break into the industry?

While there’s no single answer, there are several things that you can do to help give yourself the best possible chance of securing a great role.

Build Your Personal Brand

Fancy yourself as a B2B hotshot but have no visible online presence? Having a strong online presence could potentially be the deciding factor between two candidates who have applied for the same position.

Know What You Want

It’s important to decide what area of B2B marketing you want to work. Figuring this out early means you can direct your efforts, start out on the right career track, and get in touch with the right people.

Employers value candidates who know what they want. Taking your time to do the research about a career in B2B and deciding what you really want to do shows employers that you’re a self-starter who takes ownership of your career.

Be Top of the Class

If you really want to make waves in the B2B world, completing a certified B2B course is key.

You’ll gain valuable insights on strategy, trends, and tools which will help boost your confidence and increase your skillset so you can really deliver results as a B2B marketing specialist.

Check out these B2B-focused courses from the IDM, designed to prepare you for the world of B2B:

• B2B Marketing: The Complete Guide
• B2B Account Based Marketing
• B2B Lead Generation
• B2B Copywriting

If you need any advice regarding courses, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Stay Curious

The B2B landscape is constantly changing, and you’ll need to keep up.

The only thing you can count on is that change will be a constant you’ll have to deal with. As such, it’s good to stay on your toes and keep up with the latest trends and techniques.

The more you can diversify your skillset, the faster you can move up the career ladder and the more indispensable you will be to your employer.

Be Passionate

Don’t underestimate the value of enthusiasm and willingness to learn – it goes a long way.

Whether it’s at an interview, in an application letter, or during a placement: employers want to see that you care about working in the industry.

Network with the Experts

The people you meet will be your ongoing support network when you run into problems. They’ll also be able to help you open a few doors along the way and discover career opportunities you might not have otherwise found.

Look for people who have done what you want to do or people further along in their career. Don’t just ask to ‘pick their brain’. Figure out what you can offer them to make it worth their time.

Attend industry meetups and conferences in your area to nurture relationships with other B2B marketers, and work to enhance your skills with in-depth workshops and presentations. You can even sign up for a mentor with the DMA Talent Mentoring Scheme.

We’re here to help you start your B2B career adventure – our upcoming interviews with people from all over the industry will help paint a picture of what it’s really like to work in B2B.

Up next, we’re showing off some stellar examples of B2B work, and interviewing some B2B greats.

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