Marketing is a dynamic and exciting field, which makes marketing career advancement interesting. The ever-changing landscape of the optimal ways to reach audiences creates a multitude of opportunities for those working in the industry (and for those wanting to enter it). While there are many positives with multiple job options, choosing a path and moving up in the marketing field can sometimes feel a little overwhelming or confusing. To help you get on the career path of your dreams, we’ve gathered a few tips and ideas for navigating the marketing landscape.
3 tips for marketing career advancement
Marketing professionals are in-demand right now, creating a wave of open marketing jobs in companies across all industries. If you are considering a change to help grow your marketing career, but are not sure where to go next, here are a few tips that will help steer you in the right direction.
Tip 1: Set personal career goals
Take a moment for yourself and really think about what you want out of your career. Are you happy with your job but ready to move up to the next level? Or maybe you are looking to go from “wearing many hats” to a more specialized position where you focus on just one aspect of marketing.
It is easy to find yourself going with the flow or taking the path that appears to be the most logical next step. Sometimes this works out for the best, but there are times when a diversion would have made for a better long-term career path. Setting goals will help keep you working towards your optimal career.
Think about both the long and short term. If you are not sure where to start, check out this article from the Wall Street Journal on how to develop career goals.
Tip 2: Brush up on your skills
Now that you know where you want to go in your marketing career, the next step is to give yourself the tools to accomplish your goals. A quick Google search will show you the amount of marketing courses and certifications out there is boundless and you are apt to find something to fit your needs.
So many educational options can make you feel like a kid in a candy store, and it’s easy to select ones that are fun and exciting. When choosing which courses to take, make sure to strike a balance between fun and those that will help you achieve your career goals.
Tip 3: Grow your network
As marketers, we spend quite a bit of time helping organizations grow their network and interact with customers via social media, sales, and support. So much so, that we forget to take a little time for ourselves and grow our own personal networks. When you are looking for a change in your career or want to learn more about a different facet of marketing, having a network to pull from goes a long way to getting you where you want to be.
If you are feeling stuck or not sure where to start, think of growing your network like building your own personal brand. Not to mention, some of the tactics that you use for work can also be applied to yourself. Other ideas include joining groups on different social media networks, as well as attending networking events and marketing conferences. Make sure you are intentional with your networking, making a point to meet people. It is easy to become “a fly on the wall”, especially during an online event.
Don’t be afraid. Take that leap.
Use these tips to propel yourself forward in your marketing career. Yes, change is scary, but it can also be exciting and get you to a new place in the marketing industry. Know that we are rooting for you and have confidence you will succeed.
As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”