How I’d actually get hired as a content marketer in 2026

I see a lot of talented people struggling to land content roles right now. The market feels tight and the anxiety about AI taking over is very real.

But here is the thing. I hire content marketers. I talk to other founders who hire content marketers. The demand for talent is high.

The disconnect usually comes down to positioning.

If you have the skills but aren't getting interviews, you likely need to change how you package your expertise. To get hired in 2026 you have to prove you understand how modern B2B growth actually happens.

Here is the playbook on how to position yourself to get hired this year.

What skills do hiring managers actually want?

The most valuable skill for a content marketer in 2026 is the ability to drive demand through social platforms.

For a long time the standard advice was to learn SEO and write long-form blog posts. While search is still around, the center of gravity has shifted. Founders and marketing leaders want people who can build an audience and drive revenue on platforms like LinkedIn.

When you position yourself as a social-first marketer you align yourself with the immediate revenue goals of the company.

Make sure your resume and profile highlight these specific competencies:

• Ghostwriting for executives to build authority

• Creating social campaigns that drive actual leads

• Repurposing long-form content into high-performing social feeds

If you want to go deeper on why this shift is happening, read about why your LinkedIn content might not be working.

How to upgrade your portfolio

Most portfolios I see are just lists of links. They look like a bibliography.

A hiring manager needs to see how you think. We want to know if you can replicate your success.

You can instantly stand out by treating your portfolio pieces like design case studies. For your best work you should include a brief breakdown that explains the strategy behind the asset.

Include these details for your top samples:

• The specific goal of the piece

• Why you chose that specific hook or angle

• How you adapted the tone for the specific audience

• Any measurable results you achieved

This shows you have a strategist's brain. It proves you understand the mechanics of creating content that drives pipeline.

What to do if you don't have client work yet

You can demonstrate high-level strategic skills by breaking down the work of top brands and creators.

I love seeing this from candidates. It shows me you have good taste and you pay attention to what works.

Pick a founder or a company that is crushing it on social media. Write a post or a document that analyzes their strategy.

• Identify why their hooks work

• Explain why the topic resonates with their specific audience

• Analyze their use of visuals and pacing

Frame this as "What I learned from analyzing X" rather than acting like a guru who knows their secret sauce. This builds your credibility and shows you can reverse-engineer success.

Why your personal brand is your best asset

Your personal brand serves as a live, always-on verification of your skills.

You do not need 50,000 followers to get a job. You just need a public record that proves you know what you are doing. When I am vetting a candidate I go straight to their LinkedIn activity.

If your profile is optimized and you are posting thoughtful content regularly, you are already ahead of 90% of applicants.

Focus on these basics:

• Optimize your headline to say exactly who you help and how

• Post 1 to 2 times a week sharing your perspective or work

• Engage with other marketers in your niche

This public body of work acts as a magnet for opportunities.

Making it easy to say yes

The goal of your application materials is to reduce friction. You want the hiring manager to look at your profile and immediately get it.

When your LinkedIn profile is sharp, your portfolio shows your strategic thinking, and your feed proves you understand the platform, you become an obvious choice.

Start this week. Pick one piece of work in your portfolio and rewrite the description to include your strategy and results. It is a small step that makes a massive difference.

For more step-by-step details on this approach and other career strategies, check out the full breakdown in our newsletter.