As well questions such as “how much should I write” or “what
should I write about” or “when do I have to write it by”, one of the additional
questions I get at assessment time is how do I get on in marketing?
So, in the spirit of a bit of careers advice, herewith my
top 10 tips:-
1. Bigger isn’t always better: many believe (incorrectly in
my view) that you must work for a big big brand with a massive budget to be
viewed as successful. Whilst that may
work for some, in the earlier days of a marketing career in particular,
marketing roles in big corporations tend to be pretty routine and lack exposure
to marketing strategies. Smaller firms
may give more accessibility and scope to progress. One of the best marketing roles I had was
where I grew the role from nothing into a department, brilliant experience.
2. Know your balance from your breakeven: finance stuff can be scary and a little
boring let’s be honest here. However,
having some idea about numbers is a good thing for marketers. We get dissed by the finance manager if we
perpetually look blank at finance related questions. If you are not keen on numbers, find someone
who is to talk you through the basics of budgeting at least.
3. Make a new friend: in connection with the above, the
finance manager (who you are now trying to impress with your knowledge) should
be your friend not foe. Work hard to get
to know him or her so that they don’t roll their eyes at your budget. Get them on side and keep them there.
4. Network: there are some events where you can do this
externally and keep your eyes open to opportunities, but networking indoors
with people from different levels in the organisation is equally valuable
especially when restructuring or redundancies are being considered. If you’ve been noticed by other managers,
that could help.
5. Keep up: keep up to date and stay there. Your marketing knowledge is a tool that needs
to be used and sharpened. Get to know
the latest developments and do this continuously as marketing constantly
evolves and change and so should you.
6. Quality not quantity: just because you are first to
arrive and last to leave doesn’t make you the next top marketer. You are likely to be wasting time as no-one
can be that effective from 7am til 7pm so focus on what you are doing, not how
long you can do it for. Use time away
from the office more productively by doing a course, reading, or attending
events rather than pecking away at your pc looking busy.
7. Try mentoring: many in the profession who’ve been around
a while are happy to give advice and give your career the once over. Professional bodies such as the Chartered
Institute of Marketing run a mentoring scheme to help you take the next steps. Don’t ask, don’t get is what my mother used
to say!
8. Act professionally: you will get noticed for the wrong
reasons if you don’t fit in. Whilst I am
firmly against the idea of everyone being the same (this is marketing after
all!), if you stick out like a sore thumb then you won’t get that break. If it’s a “suited and booted” company then
that’s what you should be. Many larger
corporates are like that so if you insist on wearing your beach attire you need
to rethink your choice of organisation, or your wardrobe....
9. Enjoy it: There’s
very little point if you don’t. There
are lots of facets to marketing:
branding, communications, planning, design, research etc etc so there’s
no reason to get stuck in a rut. Find
what you like to do and move from a job into a role.
10. It’s not about the money: well it is, of course. We all need it to function but if you don’t
think it’s enough then look around to compare your role with an equivalent
one. Set out what you do and why you’re
worth more. Pick your moment to discuss
it properly with your manager. It may be
a “no”, or a “not yet” but ask for a plan as to how you can achieve a higher
salary.
So in summary, get the right cultural fit for you, learn new
skills including financial ones, pick up hints and tips from those around you
who can help, look the part, be professional particularly when it comes to
asking for a salary increase and enjoy it.
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