Advice for starting your search for a new marketing job
Fact: hunting for a new marketing job today is a daunting task.
Irrespective of your seniority or marketing specialism. It is just as challenging to find a job as a Marketing Director as it is a Marketing Executive.
Encouragingly we are not in dire straits. The jobs market is starting to pick up, and new marketing jobs are being released. When approaching a job hunt, we all tidy up the CV (if you need some help on this then check out our free CV template built especially for marketers), find the best job sites and get cracking.
But I have two key questions for you to think about as a candidate;
HOW DO I MAKE THIS PROCESS EFFICIENT?
WHAT WILL DIFFERENITATE ME IN A CROWDED MARKET?
My advice is to accept that you will need to invest time, be strategic and be smart.
Know what works for you
It is so tempting to take a scattergun approach and fire applications off left right and centre. I do understand this, and it is so difficult to take a step back and be strategic when the pressure is mounting. However, any marketing job is not a short-term prospect. You will expect to be in this role for the next year at least and you need to be suited to it as well as it to you.
Industry synergies for marketing skills
Know where your skills are best suited and which industries they best fit. This does not mean you need to stick solely to your current industry, look for synergies with others and make your applications accordingly.
ARE YOU FEELING ANXIOUS OR STRESED ABOUT YOUR MARKETING JOB SEARCH?
FIND OUT HOW OUR JOB SEARCH COACHING SESSIONS CAN HELP
For example, if you have recently worked for a B2B construction company as a Digital Marketing Manager, don’t expect to successfully apply for a role in FMCG. The route to market, customer base and buying cycle is completely different. This sounds obvious, but you would be amazed how many people fail to take this into account.
Keep track of your applications
You will inevitably find yourself applying for several different marketing jobs. It is worth keeping track of them and their details, including which recruiter is dealing with them. You can even set up a spreadsheet and track your comms like you would for a campaign! Getting confused and sending multiple applications for the same role is a waste of your time and will not improve your chances.
Relationships are key
Research the recruitment consultancies you specialise in marketing in your area and look to build a relationship and dialogue with them. This is where keeping track of your applications and the chasing you have done comes into play. Sending the same chasing emails time and again to the same individual will bring you to their notice, but for all the wrong reasons!
Covering letter; it is easy to feel that these are a waste of time. However, when there is a high number of applicants, covering letters come into their own. I am not talking an essay, rather a succinct and factual summary. Forget flowery generic statements about being a team player or exceptional leader, focus on your strengths and experience in how they pertain to this particular role.
Unfortunately there is no getting away from the fact that things are tough, but they will start to recover. I wish I could wave a magic wand (as I’m sure many of you do) and go back to how things were in March. But I do believe if you have a strong skill set, determination, and persistence then your efforts will eventually pay off.
Once you are successful in the application stage, check out our blog on preparing for a marketing interview, it is full of great advice tailored for marketing candidates, particularly if it has been a while since your last time on the spot!
OUR LATEST MARKETING JOBS
MORE ADVICE FOR YOUR MARKETING JOB SEARCH
