Computers & IT (Non-Engg)

As marketing recruitment specialists, candidates (particularly those at the beginning of their career) often ask us for advice on qualifications and ways to improve their CV and skills. Alongside trying to gain as much marketing work experience as possible, the qualifications that we always recommend are those provided by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). When briefing us for a job requirement, employers will often say that they want the candidate to be CIM qualified and whilst this is often not essential, many employers would say this type qualification would be highly desirable. In our recent marketing recruitment review and salary survey 2016 our findings revealed that 17% of marketers surveyed had CIM Diplomas and 15% had CIM certificates. Unsurprisingly, CIM qualifications were the second most common qualifications marketers possessed, after a university degree. It's also worth pointing out that some marketing specific degrees can be CIM accredited, whereby students studying the accredited degree can gain a CIM qualification without having to do all of the usual assessments. Whether you're at the beginning of your career wondering if a CIM qualification is for you, or you already have a few years marketing experience and are now considering developing your skills and knowledge further here are five reasons we give to get CIM qualified:
1. Your CV will stand out. A CIM qualification is not only a great way for someone just starting out to help boost their CV and build their marketing career, but it is also a way for someone with many years of experience, or someone who may have had a spell out of marketing, to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date. There are a number of different CIM courses and qualifications, not just the Diploma and Certificate. Marketers and CIM members can also benefit from the likes of day courses, conferences, and in-company training. These are a great way of keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and knowledge, and your CV looking good to potential employers giving you an edge over other candidates. A CIM course or qualification can also be a way to fill a gap in your experience; for example, you may have many years of experience in the offline marketing, but have not done much on the digital side of things so in this case, a specific digital course might be of interest. CIM qualifications are also recognised internationally.