I wish I had taken advantage of the power of mentorship earlier. A great mentor will have a massive impact on your career trajectory. They can hold you accountable, push you out of your comfort zone, help you achieve your goals faster, and expose you to unique opportunities you would’ve missed.
You could be the only one in your class to secure a job in your field and still feel like you didn’t earn it or don’t belong. You might even think it’s only a matter of time before everyone realizes they made a mistake when they hired you.
As the semester winds down, you realize your professional image still needs work. If you’re wondering what to do next, maybe it’s time to start working on your brand.
One of the benefits of informational interviews is that they will help you get comfortable speaking to people who work in the industry you are aspiring to enter. Another benefit is that you'll better understand the role and responsibilities that come with it.
Good creative ideas are hard to come by, and people always say creativity is subjective. Sometimes, regardless of how strong you believe they are, the ideas you come up with don't resonate with your audience.
Tracy Reese CM, a Marketing Instructor at New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), discusses her passion, critical thinking, flexibility, curiosity, sharing experiences and advice for young marketers.
As the saying goes, “You only get one chance to make a first impression,” so relax, take a deep breath, and make sure it sticks. Sometimes it’s not only what you know but whom you know that matters.
Testing is the key when it comes to marketing. Take calculated risks with the marketing strategies you feel are suitable for the business until you determine what is profitable.
There may come atimewhere you say I’ve had enough, or I can’t do this anymore. It might be your first job out of school or your third role in thefieldof your dreams. Whatever the situation is, the grass doesn’t seem as green as it used to.
There you are, living your best professional life when suddenly your career confidence hits a low. The wind is out of your sails so to speak. You’re left wondering whether or not you have what it takes to move your career forward. Although it can seem like an impossible situation, building your career confidence is like anything: a skill you can master.
Are you looking to turn a career corner but don’t know where to start? Why not pick up a professional development book to read in between your Netflix binge time? Yes, you’ve earned every single minute of your downtime, but your career goals for the new year won’t materialize without some personal investment.
We hate to break it to you, but workplace mistakes are going to be made … by you. Remember, even the best of the best stumble from time to time. Working professionals may juggle multiple priorities and tasks but at the end of the day, they’re still human. (Gasp, we know!) The key to getting over messing up at work is all about your recovery.
Like two opposing storms coming together, workplace conflicts disrupt the natural flow and good vibes of a team. Instead of moving forward, united and strong, workplace conflict puts a full stop to any kind of productivity. It seems everyone and everything is waiting with bated breath to see how it will play out. Which begs the question, when you’re in the middle of it all, how do you resolve the conflict?
Before raising your flag of victory after receiving notice that a job offer is coming your way, let us remind you to prepare to negotiate. You’ve done an incredible job showcasing you’d be a great fit for said job. Does that mean you say yes to the initial job offer without hesitation?
An informational interview switches the roles around: instead of being interview for a role, you’re doing the interviewing for a change and getting the answers you need. Consider it a routine practice both prior to graduating and throughout your career. Actively engaging in them indicates you’re open to the many career possibilities that are out there and have a curious nature to match.
There’s always a bit of workplace competition brewing within a company’s culture. As business and marketing professionals, we’re natural change-makers and creative thinkers. Sometimes that competitiveness can be on the lighter side, fueling everyone consistently while other times… let’s just say, it’s a tad strong and ruins the pot.
Think your volunteering days are over and done once you leave your post-secondary behind? Or believe that volunteering seems more up the alley of a junior professional? That’s a misconception that’ll lead you to miss out on the many benefits voluntary opportunities have to offer.
It’s time for a change of pace and switching industries is the career shift that makes the most sense for you. Even though you’re eager and feel confident it’s the right move, it can also feel a bit like starting over which could stop you in your tracks before you even really begin. You may be asking yourself if your experience holds up and whether you can learn an entire industry quickly enough to make an impact.
It happens to the best of us where suddenly all those yes’s pile up to an impossible mountain. Setting work boundaries might seem like another peak to climb, but the result ensures that your performance continues to rise, rather than fall. You need to look out for yourself because after all, no one else will.
With the right kind of mentorship, imagine the career trajectory you could experience knowing you have a pro to turn to for support, advice, and insight. A bright light on your career path especially during times of uncertainty where you might feel you’re walking blindly forward. Finding that mentor may seem impossible. So where do you start?
Not having the right technical skills as a marketer can feel discouraging. You know you’re capable of developing them so why wait to learn them? In today’s world, digital skills and soft skills development are in high demand. It’s a strong combo for a candidate applying for that dream role.
There’s nothing like the rush after an interview. The pressure is off, and you’ll be tempted to want to put your feet up. Before you do, remember, the follow-through is waiting in the wings. After experiencing the pressure of the interview process, it can seem like a big ask to do more.
There are various degrees of burnout syndrome and it all depends on the circumstances. Academic burnout, job burnout, the list goes on. It’s safe to say that admitting to feeling burnt out is no longer considered abnormal nor the taboo topic it once was.
A strong and good resume is your ticket in during a job search, requiring the craft of your resume writing to be top-notch. That kind of pressure on a piece of paper can be soul-crushing which is why we’re here to offer some resume help. Whether it’s resume building from the ground up or an overall resume refresh, these standards are bound to get you ahead of the competition.
Although this is the perfect time of year to strategically think about career goals, remember, everyone wrestles with finding that perfect balance. Avoid the trap of succumbing to overhyped new years resolution vibes by setting smart objectives that will manifest into career wins.
Much like the exhale after a long stretch, the end of a year can feel like that moment of relief to many of us. It’s been a year unlike any other with many facing unexpected career shifts, zoom fatigue and uncertainty in every corner. With the new year approaching fast and furiously, many are hoping for a fresh start in all things, including their marketing careers. But where exactly should you focus your efforts? With marketing trends bursting on the scene to meet consumer demands new paths are being paved.
This year, online events and virtual conferences have grown immensely, delivering a broad array of content and experiences. With so many possibilities available, it’s easy to overlook one or two in all the excitement. That’s why we wanted to recap this year’s virtual awards show of the fall season, the 2020 CMA Awards Show to highlight not only the amazing winners, but also how Canadian marketers came together for an evening of celebration.
In the hustle and bustle of every day, it’s easy to get caught up in your new work from home routine and be unmindful of how far you’ve come. Whether it’s the virtual classroom or virtual onboarding, these experiences are learnings much like the harvest before the winter season: necessary, useful and in abundance! That’s why we reached out to our CMA NXT community to bring reflections and insights on the last few months’ virtual adjustments. Their new perspectives and tips are exactly what you’ll need to prepare for the winter term and season.
There are many considerations for the creative professional who is ready to strut their stuff upon entering the job market. It’s more than just pulling together a creative resume or portfolio; making an impression requires professionalism. Showcasing your ideas and passion for the craft requires some foresight in order to be seen and taken seriously as a creative industry professional.
A powerful personal brand speaks to the masses about who you are, what you stand for and what you can deliver. It may feel a bit ego-centric to focus on, especially if you believe your work should speak for itself. Here’s the thing: think of all the brands you love and champion and how they make you feel. Those brands have successfully connected with you by building on key values you share. Now think of your personal brand doing the same thing. Not that big of a stretch now, is it?
Throughout any career journey, there’s going to be hurdles and sprints which feel massively disruptive. Navigating each stage, like the tiring job search or interview process, may seem like a train that’s suddenly delayed. There’s a sense of being stuck when all you want is to move forward. Luckily, you’re not the only passenger, and a new perspective is sometimes all it takes to clear the tunnel vision.
The concept of workplace has transformed in the last few months with remote work remaining steadfast. Lunchroom coffee top-ups look quite different in our own kitchens. Much like acclimating to an upcoming winter season, there were grumbles, there were new sweaters and new routines to get us through. With that in mind, what are we to expect once the green light is given for a return to the office after months of working at
Starting out in your marketing career is much like entering a destination in Google maps: there’s more than one way to get there. It’s good to have a general sense of where you’re headed on your career path, especially if you have a dream role or industry in mind, but it’s a fine balancing act between expectations and reality. It may seem like many professionals fall into their marketing niche. How do you stumble upon that magic? Is there a way to jumpstart a key move in your career? We explore some methods to get to the bottom of this, so you feel less lost and more found.
When you think of work culture, you either fall into the glass half full or glass half-empty category. The glass half-full pictures perfect harmony between different values and personalities creating a job environment of growth and innovation. While the glass half-empty could be described as Meryl Streeps’ perfectly arched eyebrow from The Devil Wears Prada (terrifying, we know). But we’re here to remind you that work culture is always in flux because it requires work from all involved, and that means you too.
Want to be known as a superstar professional but don’t know where to start? Cassandra Morello, Senior Marketing & Program Specialist, has been where you’ve been and shares her soft skills focus areas that’ll get any young professional up to speed.
Sometimes a professional career move might be exactly that: a physical relocation from one end of the globe to the other. Despite the ongoing pandemic, immigration to Canada is slowly but surely increasing with many international professionals and international students ready for their new chapter in their professional journeys.
It’s not easy to admit that imposter syndrome hits us all from time to time. It’s that nagging sensation that shoots to the front of your thoughts as you go about your workday until it’s all you hear: that you are a fraud and don’t belong here. It’s a belief rooted in self-doubt and fear that somehow you, yes you, just lucked out, in getting where you are today.
Whether working from home or getting ready for distance learning (also known as remote learning), one thing is for sure: this fall, the pumpkin spice latte flavour isn’t enough to make everything seem normal. The disruption of the last six months has left many across the board still adjusting and finding their rhythm to move forward.
At some point in your career, the presentation skill you outlined on your resume is suddenly going to come into play. Are you prepared to present last season’s campaign results? Lead a team scrum session? Or are you introducing a client to the rest of the department? It’s a soft skill that demands time and a place sure, but that doesn’t mean it should be neglected. No matter your title, possessing strong presentation skills involves more than just droning on and on in a clear voice. Being a stronger presenter means building off those communication skills you already possess.
