< Back to news

The 2020 Hidden Jobs Market

By Simon on

The marketing jobs market changes from year to year. Sometimes it’s a candidate’s market and sometimes an employer.  Post-Covid, I suspect it is going to be the latter so your method of job hunting may have to adapt to these new conditions. Regardless of the state of the economy, there will always be a good job out there and job hunters who have a systematic and tailored approach will succeed.

Make no bones about it, you’re going to have to work hard at finding a new role but, the more effort you put in, the more tailored your approach is, the more research you do and, the more contacts you unearth, will significantly increase your chances of success.

Do remember, it’s down to you. There are many excuses not to make a call, not to send a CV, not to learn from rejections and make your CV better. There are no jobs out there for ones that aren’t prepared to look but there are ones for those who are prepared to keep going and never give in. Bear in mind, today, that companies are doing a lot more with a lot less people; they are leaner so have greater expectations of people. Successful candidates are ones that can demonstrate that they have a good understanding of the employers’ sector and can also show they can add intrinsic value to that role.

I hope the following tips will help you get through these difficult next few months:

  • Do not follow the masses. Too many people get hung up on aiming for well-known or trendy companies. They forget that most of the growth in industry is with small companies with less than 100 employees – all of which will be upping their sales and marketing effort over the foreseeable future. Your objective is to get ahead of the masses by looking at sectors that are doing well but are not as high profile as others.
  • You will need a multi-pronged and intelligent approach that will involve active and passive job-hunting techniques that covers all bases. It is imperative to keep the momentum going – research, applications, follow-ups, interviews and so forth until an offer materialises.
  • Use specialist marketing recruiters – their livelihood relies on placing credible people with great employers. Many also want long term relationships and will want to help you over the course of your career. Avoid the charlatans, use ones that understand your market and career aspirations. Work with good, experienced people.  You get a job for yourself every 2 – 3 years – we’re in it day in, day out so can offer objective advice that will suit your career in marketing.
  • Do not mass market your CV to every recruiter and firm in town. The good ones aren’t daft and will veer away from people linked up to masses of agencies. It also leads to multiple submissions of your CV and companies will walk away from this type of candidate. Work with them, not against them, they can open doors others can’t.
  • Read specialist websites that are in the fields of marketing and digital. Build up your knowledge of the local and regional market. Companies that are doing well will need people – you will become aware of them, and, in turn, they will be aware of you if an opportunity arises.
  • Direct research – your goal is to build up a picture of companies within your region and get to know the senior marketers or key decision makers. Not many bother to do this so your effort in this area is highly recommended.  It will also ensure that you shine in an interview because you have set yourself apart from the masses.
  • Pick up the phone. This strategy may not apply to every job you see but it can seriously pay off if you can get through to a decision maker. This is particularly pertinent with specialist recruiters. They’ll appreciate that you’ve taken the time out to make a call.
  • University careers departments – take time to build a purposeful relationship – they are most likely going to be overwhelmed so make yourself known for the right reasons.
  • Keep an open mind. Look at companies that may not have been on your initial wish list but, there are many others out there that can offer as just as rewarding career, if not better.  Each one you approach is another you’ve become aware of, which increases your chances.
  • Pick a vertical market. It’s sometimes good to have a laser like approach to a select group of companies. You’ll get to know them more intimately and can make your approach more sincere and credible.
  • Do take on board that the first person that will most likely see you CV is HR and they may not have in-depth knowledge of marketing so your CV needs to address the main criteria of the role. In other words, it needs to speak their language. Your CV needs to be concise, easy to read and understand, and must contain skills that are familiar to the reader.  Another hurdle is to avoid littering with lots of jargon or complimentary adjectives about yourself – it’s the cold, hard facts people are interested in – your ability to solve problems as well as your achievements that have had a positive impact on your role.

Today’s jobs market demands a different approach – your career will not take care of itself and you must go out and grab opportunities.