Whether you have been in the marketing industry for some time or you are a new starter who is looking to skyrocket their career, you can always benefit from some tips and suggestions. As an industry, marketing has never been busier, and the field’s earning potential is ever-growing. You will need a resume that shows you’re a leader who understands certain commercial realities and can be strategic and a decision-maker so you can advance to a management or executive position. However, you aren’t going to benefit from the increased salary that comes with progressing in your career unless you have all the skills that you need.
While you may think that you are great at your job – and we agree that you probably are – that doesn’t mean that it is enough to take your career to the next stage. But don’t worry as we have got you covered. We are all about marketing tips here and have put together this straightforward seven step guide on how to take your marketing career to the next level.
Table of Contents
Set Career Goals
Even though you may have already decided that you want to take your career to the next level, you need to have certain career goals in mind. You know that you want to do well at work, but what does that mean? Break down what exactly it is that you want to get out of your career, whether it is more money, more responsibility, or just to be in a role that challenges you.
By having set career goals in place, you will find it a lot easier to work towards your end goals. It is often easier to work backwards from your career targets and knowing where you want to end up informs you of the steps you need to take to get there.
Think About the Skills You Don’t Have
When writing your resume or going for a job interview, you tend to focus on all the skills, knowledge, and experience you have that makes you a good candidate for the role. But if you want to excel and progress through to the next level of your career, we recommend that you take the time to consider what skills you don’t have.
Identifying a gap in your skill set is a great way to identify what skills you should be working on. For example, if your marketing skills are strong but you don’t have the business management skills you’d need to set up your own agency, this could be a sign that you should study for a masters in business management at Aston University. Developing your education could give you the competitive edge your career needs.
Consider Whether You Want to Work In-House or Agency
Generally, marketers work either for an agency or as part of an in-house marketing team. So, you should take the time to consider which environment you think is best suited to your skills and interests. Typically, when working for an agency you will work for a range of different clients on specific projects to achieve certain goals. While the two environments use the majority of the same knowledge, there will be different skills required. For example, when working for an agency, you will spend more time talking to and working with clients so that is something you should keep in mind.
Keep Up to Date with The Latest Trends
One of the best things about working in marketing is that things can change, and each day is a bit different from the last. However, that does mean that new trends and updates are being released all the time and if you want to stay on top of your game, you need to keep up to date with them. This sort of knowledge is exactly the type of information that future employers are looking for and will help you stand out from the crowd.
Use Your Network
Networking is an essential part of taking your career to the next level no matter what industry you are working in. We have all heard the saying ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’, and while of course skills and knowledge are important, you will find it easier to progress if you know others in your profession.
If you already have a network that you can utilise, you should take the time to nurture your connections and reach out to them. But make sure that you are getting in touch with your connections for the right reasons and help them out where possible. If your network only hears from you when you want something, then they may get tired of helping you.
However, if you don’t yet have a network built up, you should start by creating a LinkedIn account and reaching out to those you know professionally. LinkedIn is a great way to talk about your skills and expertise and get back in touch with people you have worked with in the past. You never know what opportunities could come along!
Think About If Your Current Role is Right for You
You have clearly been considering how you can progress your career and take it to the next level. Therefore, you should seriously ask yourself whether you feel like you are being challenged enough in your current role. Yes, you are good at your job. Yes, you’ve worked there for a long time. And yes, you have lots of great work pals. But if your current role isn’t helping you reach your full potential, it may be time for a change.
Changing your job isn’t a decision that you should take lightly, and you should give it a considerable amount of thought before making any big choices. However, if you feel like you have hit a wall in terms of how much further you can progress in your role and your current workplace, a job change may be exactly what your career is looking for.
Taking your marketing career to the next level doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. By taking on board the tips we have suggested and having a plan to help you achieve your goal, you can step up your career to ultimate success.
