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.
Saying yes led to my closest friendships, acquiring more business experience, and a sizeable professional network. Saying yes opens you up to possibilities you may have been afraid to explore which is valuable even if it is not directly related to marketing.
After answering all the questions, you may still need to conduct a few more interviews before you’re successful. Still, regardless of how long it takes, it’s only a matter of time before the phone rings, and someone says, “you got the job.”
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.
While pursuing your education, you might be apprehensive, wondering if you have the skills to apply for a coveted position in a renowned marketing department.
Jillian Seronik, a marketing student at Okanagan College in Kelowna, BC, shares her views on studying marketing while simultaneously being employed as a marketing coordinator.
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.
"From an early age, I would say I have always been a leader. When I was running for student council in middle school, thanks to my successful campaign I was elected Prime Minister of the Student Body. Also, being an effective public speaker, I was chosen to represent my school at the Halton Public Speaking Championship and selected as a finalist for my creative speech on hand signs. I now use these skills to motivate my co-workers and aid them in achieving their goals."
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.
"I can say with utmost certainty that I love digital marketing because it is quantifiable and results-driven. Marketing makes both sides of your brain work! You have the opportunity to be creative and innovative while also being analytical and calculated. The best thing about digital marketing is that with the help of Google tools like Google Analytics, you can track your success and calculate ROI very easily. You can see the impact of your campaigns in real-time and the field is always forever changing and growing. You will never be bored!"
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.
"When Fernanda Gentil, a Brazilian sports journalist, got her opportunity to be on television, she rocked it. She instantly became my inspirational success story. She revolutionized the way sports news is presented and has become a television icon. Not only do I admire her overall success but also the fact that she isn't afraid of anything. This is what I aspire to for my future self."
"I graduated from university with a medical degree, but I’ve always been a marketer at heart. While in school, I started exploring business and work opportunities that exposed me to the world of marketing and communications. I developed a passion for building brands and some years later, I decided to pursue a career in strategic brand management."
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.
"That said, growing up in a Gujarati family, I have learned a lot about businesses and how to run them. Once I complete my education, I aspire to be a businessman and look forward to the day when I can set out on my own, with my marketing firm that will create advertising campaigns for brands in the luxury sector. ."
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?
"During this two-to-three-month period of pandemic life, living without friends or family in a small apartment in London, Ontario, I came to terms with an important realization. This passion project taught me there is always something I can build and create from scratch regardless of my living situation changing or getting derailed."
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?
"Whether I am driving a car and listening to ads on the radio, seeing ads on billboards, or entertaining myself with television or social media, I see ads. I am fascinated by how brands convey their message to their target audience to delight their customers and achieve measurable business objectives."
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.
"Before coming to Canada, I was in a project marketing management role across many different industries. Realizing that simply having the general know-how of business wasn’t enough, I decided to pursue an academic path at Douglas College, entering the Sales and Marketing program."
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.
"I didn’t know much about the field at the time, but after some research and reading, it sounded exactly like what I was looking for: a marriage between people, relationship building and business."
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 easy for imposter syndrome to sneak in and feel as though you do not have enough experience, or you are not good enough – but it only takes one opportunity to launch your career! It’s important to stay confident and to apply to positions that are relevant to your skillset and where you want to grow."
"I want to help create an organizational culture that is predicated on inclusion and celebrating the diversity of employees. A culture that includes passionate employees wanting to make a difference in racialized/marginalized communities by creating/offering programs to youth that will provide opportunities to excel in a bevy of different ways. "
"Coming from the music industry with 5 years in the business, my biggest realization was figuring out how to market music after it was created – it was and still is the most difficult part for most independent musicians. Life in the digital space changes so fast that sometimes we miss the signs and find ourselves behind the curve."
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.
"However, coming to Canada has been my dream ever since I studied a semester abroad here thanks to an ELAP scholarship from the Canadian Government. I fell in love with this country and when I returned home, as the scholarship required, I made a promise to myself to do everything in my hands to come back someday. "
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.
"Being a social person, I love networking and making connections that are more than just professional partnerships. A lot of my educational background comes from finance but being an avid social media user myself, I started my career as an entrepreneur and used the potential of social media to help generate revenue for my business."
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.
