TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR MARKETING CAREER
The 6 Core Competencies
- Research, Insights & Analysis - Understand Your Markets
- Strategy & Planning - Develop Strategy & Marketing Plans
- Marketing Programme Implementation - Communicate with Your Market
- Measuring Effectiveness - Monitor & Evaluate the Effectiveness of Marketing
- Products & Brands - Develop & Manage Brands & Reputation
- Managing People - Managing Marketing Teams
Plan your career strategically
Think from an early stage where you want to get to so you can choose your roles and build your skills accordingly. For example, if you want to ultimately be a Marketing Director, you’ll need to build strategic and tactical skills across the 6 core competencies, plus gain significant team management skills. Or, if you want to be a top agency specialist you will need to build good client management skills and an overseas stint in London or New York will give you greater exposure to bigger budgets and more strategic accounts.
Think about what you really, really want
Think about what you want from a career - not what you feel you should want. Will your chosen path give you the career options, the money, the lifestyle, the flexibility and the independence you require? Imagine yourself at thirty, forty or fifty years of age, even if it’s difficult to do so now. A glitzy PR or events role might be great at twenty-seven, but perhaps not so attractive in twenty years time!
Blue Chip brands help keep your options open
Work with blue-chip brands and companies early in your career. Not only are you more likely to be exposed to bigger budgets and best practice, but you’ll have more scope for promotional advancement. It’s always easier to move from a well known brand company to a smaller more entrepreneurial one, than the other way around.
Ensure you build each of the 6 Core Marketing Competencies, at every stage of your career
Keep building your expertise as you move from support level, to practitioner, to manager and to director level in your career. Never stop learning! Develop your competencies via formal learning, work experience and of course, life experiences.
Put energy into finding the right roles.
Consider the Industry – are you passionate about the sector? If you hate technology- perhaps Microsoft isn’t for you. If you love cosmetics - try a skincare brand, if you are creative - try an advertising agency. And if you know you’ll want to change industries, remember it’s easier to do so earlier in your career.
Consider the company: Keep updated on the market sector - read the press, keep an eye out on who’s who and keep up to date with brand and company developments. Talk to anyone who is familiar with the company you are interested in and get an insider’s view.
Money Money Money...
Money’s important, but prioritise great roles and learning over salary. Don’t change roles for a salary increase - change only if it’s right for your career. You only get paid once a month but you have to go to work every day! However, if you’re looking for that pay rise, unfortunately for your employer, it’s usually easier (if riskier) to gain big salary increases by changing companies. But, don’t change too often - show some staying power. Two and a half to three years per role is probably about right for solid learnings and a chance for you to show you have really made a difference.
Work closely with the Experts
Select an agency partner who can guide you on the right career path. Uniquely in Ireland, Alternatives can advise you on both the skills and the roles that will make your marketing career a success.