As a vital part of any organisation in a digitally connected world, the field of marketing has grown in importance over the last decade and is now a diverse, dynamic and rapidly evolving sector that offers numerous career paths for individuals with various skill sets and interests. And one might argue that it has grown so diverse that attempting to define what it is in a few simple words has grown challenging.

But at the same time, that’s what makes it so fascinating – the different paths and journeys one can take, and the skills one can pick up due to its ever-rapid development. So, whether your strengths fall on the creative side of the spectrum, the analytical side or right in the middle, if you want to build a career in marketing there is sure to be something that suits your skillset.

And perhaps one of the best things about pursuing a career in marketing is that one doesn’t necessarily need a marketing degree to work in the sector, although they are advantageous to your career prospects. The Chartered Institute of Marketing, for example, offers several alternative routes for individuals looking to break into the field, such as training courses, apprenticeships and professional qualifications. These are all designed to provide practical skills and hands-on experience, giving individuals the tools they need to succeed in the marketing industry. Whether you are just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, the non-traditional routes CIM offers provide a flexible and accessible way to get into marketing.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most popular career paths in marketing and what they entail.

Brand Manager:

Brand management is a strategic role that focuses on building, maintaining, and enhancing a brand’s reputation and ensuring that a lasting impression is left on customers. A brand manager is responsible for ensuring that all marketing activities align with the company’s brand strategy, vision, and mission. The role involves conducting market research, creating marketing plans, and executing brand campaigns.

Digital Marketer:

Digital marketing encompasses all marketing efforts that use digital channels to reach and engage customers. This includes search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, email marketing, pay-per-click advertising (PPC), and content marketing. Digital marketers need to be familiar with digital technologies and trends as well as have a good understanding of data analysis and customer behaviour.

Product manager:

Product marketing focuses on promoting and positioning a product in the market. Product marketers are responsible for conducting market research, creating product positioning and messaging, and developing go-to-market strategies. They work closely with product managers and sales teams to ensure that products are well-received by customers and meet business objectives.

Advertising account executive/planner:

Advertising involves creating, planning, and executing advertising campaigns to promote products or services. Advertisers work with clients to determine the target audience, budget, and goals for a campaign. They also develop creative concepts, select media channels, and track the success of campaigns.

Public Relations Officer:

Public relations (PR) involves managing an organisation’s reputation and relationships with its stakeholders, including customers, employees, media, and the public. PR professionals use various tactics, such as media relations, crisis communication, and event planning, to build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders.

Market Researcher:

Market research involves collecting and analysing data to better understand customer needs, preferences, and behaviours. Market researchers use a variety of research methods, such as surveys, focus groups, and data analysis, to gather insights about customers and the market. The role requires strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret and communicate data effectively.

Marketing Operations:

Marketing operations involve the coordination and execution of marketing activities to ensure they are efficient, effective and aligned with business goals. Marketing operations professionals are responsible for managing the budget, processes, and systems that support marketing activities. They also analyse data and performance metrics to improve marketing strategies and processes.

Research and Preparation Are Key

There are numerous career paths in marketing, each offering its own unique set of challenges and opportunities, and this really only offers a glimpse of the different directions a marketing career can take. The key is to ensure you do your research so that you can make a well-informed decision when deciding what career path is right for you. Whichever one you decide to take, make sure you have a clear idea of what career opportunities are available to you, as well as the training needed for career progression.

Remember that your skillset will also come into this, as you’ll need to consider where your strengths lie, how you could bring value to a company using them and what new skills you’ll need to gain to grow as a marketer. If you wish to specialise in your area of expertise, then this will be even more important as there are a plethora of directions your marketing career can take, and it is essential that you’re always in control of your career journey. In Digital Marketing, for example, one has a multitude of options to choose from when deciding how they want their marketing career to develop.

But whether you’re interested in brand management or public relations, digital marketing or advertising, there is more than likely to be a marketing role that aligns with your skills, interests, and career goals. The key to success in marketing is to continuously learn and grow, stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, and have a passion for connecting with customers and creating value.

About Clayton Recruitment

Clayton Recruitment has been partnering with organisations across the country since 1989 and during that time has built up an excellent reputation for trust and reliability.

With specialist divisions covering Commercial, Financial, and Engineering appointments, on a permanent basis.

Click here to speak to one of our experienced specialists or call 01772 259121 for more information on how our exceptional recruitment experience can help your career aspirations.

When it comes to selling your value to a recruitment company like Clayton Recruitment and the clients we work for, there are a few pivotal documents required to draw attention to yourself. 

The humble CV is one, followed quickly by your LinkedIn profile. 

As LinkedIn is the biggest social business network outside China, with 850 million members listed, it is more crucial than ever to leverage the opportunities your LinkedIn profile provides as a positioning tool for your career. 

Your LinkedIn profile has many positive attributes. Unless you share a name with a well-known person, it is highly likely that your profile, if created properly, will appear on the first page of Google. 

Even though your CV/Resume is a standard document that demonstrates your career journey, a LinkedIn profile can deliver even more insight about you as a potential recruit in an interactive and engaging style that a CV alone cannot achieve. 

In today’s post, I want to share why your profile is so important and the easy, quick wins to ensure your LinkedIn profile stands out from the crowd. 

Headlines and Pronouns

Your headline is often the first piece of text a recruiter or potential hiring manager will see, so make it count. Paraphrase what you do, and the good news is LinkedIn now allows 220 characters, including spaces. Here is an example of a headline that works.  

“Marketing Manager at IKEM Solutions building B2B business and brand growth across the North West” 

With D.E.I. being on most workplace agendas, LinkedIn now allows you to add your preferred pronouns on your profile. The use of pronouns will let hiring managers, colleagues or online connections know how to address you to prevent any misconceptions.  

A Professional Photo

LinkedIn produces numerous reports that demonstrate the power of imagery and media on your profile. Profiles with a professional photograph can get 14 times more profile views vs those with selfie style images or group pictures. 

Phone technology today means there is no excuse not to have a professional LinkedIn profile picture. Ask a colleague or friend to take a photograph with their smartphone in good lighting where you shoulders and face are visible to give an honest and accurate perception of who you are professionally. 

Head and shoulders are the best shots. Your face, preferably smiling in appropriate business attire, makes the best impact. Remember, recruitment consultants viewing your profile are imagining how you will fit into their client’s organisation, so this is an easy way to make an impact.  

How To Get In Contact

As a first start, do you have all your contact details visible?  

Make sure you have a mobile number and a Gmail/Hotmail address that is your most active and professional email account. Try to avoid the likes of 90sbaby@hotmail.com or something with your birth year in as this can indicate age bias subconsciously.  

A professional url demonstrates your attention to detail, for instance, LinkedIn.com/in/Andy Gold as opposed to LinkedIn.com/in/Andy-Gold-2671c567. 

It’s also important to include links to your blog where you share knowledge related to your sector which is a great feature a lot of LinkedIn users forget to utilise.  

Featured Section

Have you written papers or presented at an industry conference, or recorded any work-related videos?  

If the answer is yes, add them here, and this will certainly make you stand out from the crowd and gives recruiters or potential businesses the chance to see more of what you can do rather than just reading it on a CV. 

Your About Section

Please do not add only your essential skills or paste sections from your CV into your summary section. Use it to catch people’s attention as you share relevant information about who you are and your skills and abilities; you have 2000 characters, so make them count. 

In this section, talk about the value you will add to an organisation alongside your skillset. Be different and stand out by explaining how you might help a potential new employer solve their problems while being genuine and authentic. 

Our experience as recruiters is this attracts our attention, plus it makes it easier for us to ‘sell’ the fact you are a ‘must see’ candidate for our client and pick out your best attributes towards their needs. 

Here are some examples from LinkedIn themselves as to what they see as great profile summaries. 

Add to Profile and Open To

On the right-hand side of your profile, you will see a button that says ‘add to profile’. When you click this, it reveals all the additional sections you can add to your profile.  

From featured items to licenses and certifications, and courses and recommendations the list is endless to really boost your profile against your competitors.  

If you are open to work and currently not employed, you can add this to your profile picture by clicking the relevant button. This lets recruiters know instantly without even clicking on your profile that you are a potential candidate for their client and therefor you are most likely to be seen.  

In the ‘add your profile’ section under background, share details of all your work experience that will communicate your capability. Then list all your education and volunteer activities. Today, organisations have an active CSR programme that they love to promote to new starters; therefore, this area is essential to share too should you have experience in those departments. 

Under accomplishments, you can list publications, certifications, patents, courses, projects, honours and awards, test scores, languages and how you are involved with communities that are important to you. 

This makes it easy for a recruitment organisation to identify your skills and expertise as a potential match for their client. 

The big question is, does your profile: 

• Help your standout? 
• Communicate your value, including providing supporting evidence? 
• List your work achievements? 

Share Useful Content

Depending on your current organisation and their social presence, you can share and like content until your heart is content. This unconsciously communicates to everyone how connected you are and what is important to you. When someone arrives on your profile, it is one of the first sections they can see. 

You can now share an article or even upload a compelling image or create a video on your LinkedIn profile. All of which enable you to communicate your personal brand and show recruiters areas of your work you are particularly interested in the most. 

List The Skills You Know Are Important in Your Industry

When it comes to skills, you can add up to 50, which could help you stand out to a recruitment consultant and your future employer. You don’t have to add all of them as only your top ten will be profiled, so make these the most important. 

The UK is in the grip of a skills shortage. Therefore, if you know you have in-demand skills, communicate them on your profile wherever you can. You would be surprised that this is an area often forgotten by even the best of candidates. 

Endorsements and Recommendations

We all now live and work in the review society. Social proof is a significant influencer in our current community. Who has not viewed Trip Advisor before booking a restaurant or holiday with their significant other? It is the same in the business world. 

Therefore, collecting recommendations and endorsements is crucial for your career. If you have not got any, ask for them from your contacts. All too often, people are shy about asking for validations of their work. The good news, which might surprise you, is that many people are more than willing to give you a recommendation as long as you offer to give one back in return. 

Finally, Complete Your Profile in Full

A question for you? Are you using all the features we have mentioned? 

Do you have a presentation or video on your summary? Have you got a link to a paper you have written? 

It is interesting the impression people get from reading a full LinkedIn profile. It sends a message to recruitment companies that you are a person with attention to detail and take their career and work-life seriously – a great candidate for their clients.