If I was trying to land a job in marketing, I’d take these free certifications.

If I was trying to land a job in marketing, I’d take these free certifications. I’ve been in marketing for 13 years and I’ve hired dozens of people, and a degree alone isn’t enough. This is actually part three of my series on how to land a job in marketing, and I get asked all the time on what actually matters when you’re trying to stand out. If you’re trying to break into marketing or level up without spending money, here are free certifications I’d pursue and trust. First, HubSpot’s Inbound Marketing Certification. It’s free and foundational. HubSpot was the true pioneer of inbound marketing, and this certification really covers how modern digital marketing actually works. If I see this on someone’s resume or LinkedIn, I immediately feel confident in their understanding of marketing fundamentals. Second, Google Analytics Courses. Almost every company uses Google Analytics in some form. If you know how to track traffic, user behavior, conversions, you know you understand marketing isn’t just vibes, it’s measurement and impact. And third, this is more nuanced and less of a certification, but AI usage. And like I said, it’s not really a certification, but it’s something that companies are looking for in how you’re using it. I have very real conflicting feelings about AI. From the negative environmental impact, how it can reduce critical thinking, and how it could very well one day take my job. But those concerns don’t erase the reality that companies are using it. So what I want to know isn’t if you’re using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and more, but I want to know how you’re using it. Are you using AI to strengthen strategy, speed up research, verify messaging, or pressure test ideas? Because when AI is used intentionally, it doesn’t replace your thinking, it levels up your skills. Marketing has always evolved with new tools and new certifications almost every single day. But the people who last aren’t the ones who ignore change or blindly chase every tool. They’re the ones who understand the fundamentals and adapt without losing their judgement. If you want a part four in how I use AI everyday or on another topic, let me know in the comments. If you’re job hunting right now, save this and you don’t need to do everything at once.