Do employers take internet marketers seriously?

by Trieu
25 replies
I am applying for a job at the moment, (basic office IT work) but I haven't worked for the last 3 years. Instead the only work experience I have is trying to make a living at home with IM which is the only thing I can put on my CV for the past 3 yrs. The disadvantage of this is I cannot provide references and also proves I havent socialize in the real work enviroment. would employers be impressed by that? Would they even consider to take you seriously?
#employers #internet #marketers
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Perhaps the fact that it is basic IT work will make working online a plus. It shows you know computers, to some degree.

    Highlight the skills the employer is looking for, and gloss over the others.

    ~Michael
    Signature

    "Ich bin en fuego!"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[148813].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author redbrad0
    Depending on the skills that you have, company's will look past the fact that you were self employed. Being a business owner I would rather hire someone that was self employed because they have typically have more dedication or they will be the worst slacker :-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[148827].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Devin T
    Tailor your resume to this employer. Use action verbs to show the different skills and tasks you performed in IM. This will help.
    Signature
    Coolproducts.com - Community Suggested Products
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[148842].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    Hi Teo,

    Yours is a great question. From personal experience I can tell you a few years back I went to a Temp Agency to pick up some extra cash. I used my IM experience to fill in the missing years.

    That got me Data Entry Jobs.

    However, and this is a big point, they still needed a live person who could vouch for me. One of my Internet Marketing contacts did and I got the job.

    I was recently emailed by a Warrior who did some ghost writing for me and he asked me to give him a reference for a brick and mortar job he was applying for. I did and the next time I heard from him he said he was working full time. I'm in the U.S. and he is in England. It's a small world.

    Make a list of all of the people you have come in contact with in your IM endeavors, including Warriors and ask them for a testimonial, eh, I mean reference.

    You don't have 3 years of "empty space" you have at least a year here

    George Wright
    Signature
    "The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[148848].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Monetize
    Employers take IM seriously but you must specify your skill set.
    Web design, HTML and all its variations are all in great demand
    these days, as well as online marketing skills such as e-mailing
    subscribers, managing memberships, selling at auction, etc.

    Evaluate your capabilities and emphasize your most valuable
    assets; don't put yourself down for being a computer nerd
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[148875].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Noah Fleming
    Were you successful in your time in IM?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[148876].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author websitemoneynow
      This was something i gave many hours of thought about as i have been employed online for 4 years and my highest degree of education is highschool. I have though added all the skills i posess on my resume even though i never majored in anything . Should i put my website near my contact details ?
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[148880].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Noah Fleming
    The way I see it is this,

    IM'ers need to get serious and treat themselves as marketers.

    Treat this as a business.

    Maybe you decided to close the business or move on, but regardless you very well could have been running an insanely successful marketing operation and company that made X amount of dollars per yer with clients all over the world as opposed to "trying to sell stuff online.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[148899].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Andy Fletcher
    Like anything you could've done with the time. Did you succeed? Did you grow? Are you a better person for the experience?

    If the answer is no, not really. I slacked off and drank beer then no they probably won't.

    If the answer is yes, of course. I understand the Internet. I know lots of useful stuff like HTML/CSS/PHP and I know what ranks well in Google. Then of course they will.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[149324].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Brian
    I was wondering why would you want to work again? Where you unsuccessful in IM for the last 3 years? Or you just want to "go out and meet some people" while maintaining IM business?
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[149327].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Trieu
      Originally Posted by Mark Brian View Post

      I was wondering why would you want to work again? Where you unsuccessful in IM for the last 3 years? Or you just want to "go out and meet some people" while maintaining IM business?
      I am still in the process of building my IM business and reaching my goal which have been planning for many months. Whilst doing all that I've also been earning money others ways as well like web flipping and ebay. Its not serious money, but enough to pay the bills.
      Infact I will be releasing a wso report very soon showing how I earn a living in flipping sites.

      I guess I want to work, because its a good back up plan to have incase my IM doesn't work out, and also partly because I want a social life too.
      Signature

      ======================================
      "$100 On eBay with just 10 Minutes Work! {120+ copies SOLD}"

      ======================================
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[149644].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Andres
        Originally Posted by Teo View Post

        I am still in the process of building my IM business and reaching my goal which have been planning for many months. Whilst doing all that I've also been earning money others ways as well like web flipping and ebay. Its not serious money, but enough to pay the bills.
        Infact I will be releasing a wso report very soon showing how I earn a living in flipping sites.

        I guess I want to work, because its a good back up plan to have incase my IM doesn't work out, and also partly because I want a social life too.

        Teo - I was in the exact same situation as you. Smaller companies will look at your resume but you must stress your experience with copywriting, email marketing, HTML, ASP, XML and article marketing.

        Larger companies will also look at your resume - with them stress you know SEO and the applications required to make their SEO efforts work.

        I should know my HR director said during the interview "maybe we should have you work with the marketing director as well with your experience".

        I was applying for a different position.

        Andres
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[149659].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author zenmn
          A business owner sounds much better.

          Also there is a little thing called "Proof of Performance."

          It's one thing to say you did something and quite another to show proof.

          The latter is better.

          Gather the best examples of your work and submit with your application.

          -zenmn
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[149705].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Jag82
            Try to be more specific instead of just saying you have internet marketing experience...

            Something like...you possess the following skills...

            1. Email marketing
            2. Membership marketing
            3. Tracking and optimizing
            4. SEO
            5. Video marketing
            6. Blogging and link baiting...

            Stuff like that...

            And as someone mentioned, showing proof of results is important. And it need not necessarily always have to be income proof.

            For example, to show you are good in marketing, you may want to show proof that your campaigns have good open and click through rate. And you can do a screen shot for that.

            With that, you can show others that you are good at certain specialized techniques and people look out for that.

            Try to think back about every single specific IM tasks or techniques you have employed. Use them to your advantage in your CV.

            I hope this helps. And good luck!

            Jag
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[149733].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Chris Lockwood
        Originally Posted by Teo View Post

        I am still in the process of building my IM business and reaching my goal which have been planning for many months. Whilst doing all that I've also been earning money others ways as well like web flipping and ebay. Its not serious money, but enough to pay the bills.
        Infact I will be releasing a wso report very soon showing how I earn a living in flipping sites.

        I guess I want to work, because its a good back up plan to have incase my IM doesn't work out, and also partly because I want a social life too.
        If your business is making enough to pay the bills, I'd strongly encourage you to work on improving the business and forget about getting a job, which will just distract you from that.

        Also, a job seems like a poor way to get a social life. Why not just go out and meet people?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[150080].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author George Wright
          Originally Posted by Chris Lockwood View Post

          If your business is making enough to pay the bills, I'd strongly encourage you to work on improving the business and forget about getting a job, which will just distract you from that.

          Also, a job seems like a poor way to get a social life. Why not just go out and meet people?
          Chris,

          Best idea yet.

          George Wright
          Signature
          "The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[150099].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
            As long as you word it well...self employed running your own internet business...it should be an advantage with many employers.

            It shows you know how to use computers (a HUGE plus), you can work unsupervised and you understand "that interweb thang".

            How you word what you did for 3 years and how you answer questions about why you're now looking for a regular job will make or break you.

            I agree that it could be easier just to sell your internet marketing services to local businesses but I also understand why some people seek the regular income of a job.

            Kindest regards,
            Andrew Cavanagh
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[150357].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TheMagicShow
    Run some kick a** PPC campaigns and plenty will take you seriously, if you are good at a certain skill and can show that you can get good results, then it doesn't matter if you haven't worked in a few years, your results speak for themselves.
    Signature

    " You can either give a man a fish and feed him for a day OR teach him how to catch a fish and it will feed him for a lifetime"

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[149824].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nebuer
    In my opinion you aren't going to be taken seriously unless you've been successful at it. It's something different from the norm and you need the results to show.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[150056].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Rachel Goodchild
      Originally Posted by nebuer View Post

      In my opinion you aren't going to be taken seriously unless you've been successful at it. It's something different from the norm and you need the results to show.
      I don't agree
      I was a failed internet marketer- but I've gained contracts that use those skills that failed me personally, and helped them to develop

      I think you need to apply for marketing type positons- maybe ina junior level,then talk to them about how your tools can help them build thier company

      I've done that to great success.

      It's about beleiving in yourself
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[150070].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author George Wright
        You are right 100% Rachel.

        It's called EDUCATION.

        It only depends on how you present yourself to a potential employer. If you go in hat in hand acting like you are defeated and forced to get a job because of your failures that's how you will be treated.

        On the other hand if you approach the situation with the attitude, "I have something valuable to offer you." "You need me as much as I need you." you will win in time. You might not get "that job" but you will get "a" job.

        I know too many people who are self educated and have enterprenural spirits to believe any differently.

        I've seen people like you, with your attitude, Rachael, running departments and managing "college edumacated" people. I don't know if you do or don't have any kind of degree, I do know with your attitude you don't need one to "get a good job."

        As far as being "successful at it" You and you alone determine if you are successful. If you think you are or if you think you aren't you are right.

        George Wright


        Originally Posted by Rachel Goodchild View Post

        I don't agree
        I was a failed internet marketer- but I've gained contracts that use those skills that failed me personally, and helped them to develop

        I think you need to apply for marketing type positons- maybe ina junior level,then talk to them about how your tools can help them build thier company

        I've done that to great success.

        It's about beleiving in yourself
        Signature
        "The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[150097].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sjcorp
    I honeslty think that they should...
    Signature

    Sherwin J

    Best online business!

    =====> www.big-success.com/avideos <======

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[150073].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author James Schramko
    You may have a better result selling your IM services to businesses as a specialist - there is a great WSO for $2.95 that is within reach of most people.

    http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...re-report.html
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[150088].message }}

Trending Topics