You’d think with years of Marketing experience finding a role would be straightforward. Turns out, not so much… As someone who has spent years honing the 7Ps and all that jazz, I’ve discovered that being a seasoned marketer is incredibly valuable but a nightmare to package into a tidy, recruiter-friendly box. Here are my un-asked-for thoughts on the topic!
1. The Wise One
Experience. Too much of it, and it’s easy to be written off as overqualified. Or some people may think ‘too old’, or ‘too expensive’, as a result. It’s a tricky one. I often shape my narrative to match the role without underselling or pricing myself out of the game. Importantly without hoodwinking recruiters too. I’m looking for mid-senior roles, at this point in time. I’ve done ‘big’ roles and they are quite tiring, truth be told. I’m not inherently lazy or unambitious … but my priorities have changed over the years.
2. The Specialist
I’ve spent years delivering marketing strategies and campaigns, hiring specialists and crafting comms. I know marketing tools today are a lot more sophisticated than previously – but the basic principles remain the same. It’s like a science. So it’s hard explaining this in a way that doesn’t sound like I lack depth or knowledge in areas like Google Ads or LinkedIn Campaign Manager. I wouldn’t claim to be an expert in either. But that’s not my job. My job as a marketer is to know who I’m targeting, with what message, and why. I’m not the woman who will be embedding Java script on your website, put it that way.
3. The Juggler
Having been in the game for a while, I’ve done freelance and consultancy work. I even juggled two roles concurrently, for several years, to work around family commitments. These things should highlight my adaptability, my multiple stakeholder management skills and my initiative … but not always. Cue the act of demonstrating that yes, I will and can be a committed employee – but I can also manage a side hustle and family on the side, thank you very much!
4. The Two Page Wonder
At some point, someone decided that one’s entire career should be summarised on a piece of double-sided A4. This means I’m left trying to squeeze years of strategy, execution, pivots, crises and triumphs into as few words as possible. Not going to lie – I like this challenge. But I can still whinge about it.
5. The Stick In The Mud
With experience comes wisdom, but also assumptions. Like, the idea that a seasoned worker might be resistant to change. (I’m not!) I’ve had to constantly adapt. In my career, I’ve witnessed media format changes, digital revolutions, social media explosions, and at least three million gazillion algorithm updates. It’s this experience that means I actually know what works in the real world. Additionally, I am not a megalomaniac and have no issues reporting to younger work colleagues who more often than not, are cleverer than me anyway!
That said, I AM a stick in the mud for the 7Ps, good strategy (the type you can achieve and execute), human communication and brand consistency.
Hand Me My Balancing Pole!
How to deal with all of the above? Three simple steps:
- Tailor, tailor, tailor – My resume and cover letter aren’t sacred manuscripts; they’re living documents. I adapt them for each role, highlighting only the most relevant aspects.
- Be strategic about career experience – I don’t list everything. I focus on key achievements that align with the job in question.
- Own my versatility – I try and frame my breadth of experience as a superpower. Businesses need Marketing people who see the bigger picture and ‘have been round the block’ a few times.
Finding the right role when you’re mid-career is part science, part storytelling and sheer determination. But for those of us who’ve spent a career navigating shifting trends and unpredictable markets, that’s another challenge to rise to, I suppose!
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Marie White 