 7 Ways Urban Planners Can Be More Marketable in Today’s Job MarketWhether you're fresh out of planning school or a seasoned pro looking to level up, standing out in the urban planning world is more competitive than ever. Here are seven strategies to make yourself more marketable—and land the job that actually excites you. 1. Build a Portfolio That Tells a Story Don't just show your work—explain it. A strong portfolio highlights your process, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your work. Bonus points if it's digital and easy to share. 2. Master GIS and Data Visualization Knowing GIS used to be a bonus—now it's a baseline. Go beyond the basics with tools like ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, or even Adobe Illustrator for cleaner map designs. Combine tech with storytelling to make your analysis pop. 3. Get Comfortable with Public Engagement Tools Urban planning is about people. Master tools like Miro, Bang the Table, or even Zoom for effective virtual engagement. Showing you're skilled at inclusive planning is a big win. 4. Follow the Money: Learn the Basics of Development Finance Understanding pro formas, tax increment financing (TIF), and incentives gives you a major edge—especially if you’re eyeing public-private partnerships or economic development roles. 5. Show Off Your Soft Skills Strong communication, collaboration, and adaptability aren’t fluff—they’re the glue that makes projects work. Showcase these in interviews and on your resume with specific examples. 6. Keep Your Certifications Fresh AICP is great, but don't stop there. LEED, CNU-A, or even PMP can help differentiate you depending on your niche. And don’t forget continuing education—it shows you're still growing. 7. Use the Right Job Boards Stop relying on generic job sites that don’t understand planning. Use specialized platforms that get our world—like Planning Peeps Job Board. It’s curated specifically for planners and updated regularly with real opportunities in the field. Final Thoughts: Being marketable as a planner means staying curious, tech-savvy, and people-focused. Keep refining your craft, and make sure you're putting yourself in the right places to be seen. Now go land that dream job! Disclosure: this article and image employed the use of AI technology. Carbon footprint if the image: between 0.01 and 0.05 kg of CO₂-equivalent (CO₂e) which is roughly equivalent to charging a smartphone 2–6 times.
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