Switching to a Career in Marketing: 5 Tips for Success

Are you considering a career change?  If so, you might be wondering how to switch careers as seamlessly as possible. Luckily, making a career change to marketing is easier than you might think. Explore all the considerations you need to make before you switch careers, the benefits of working in marketing, and basic tips and best practices to make a smooth transition into your new career.

When Should You Switch Careers?

If you’re not sure when the right time to make a career change is, consider the last time you got a new job. Many people make career moves, even if they stay in their current industry. Changing your mind about the place you work or the type of work you do is a very normal feeling. According to the latest research, nearly 30 percent of workers between the ages of 25 and 44 have switched to a different career at least once. Here are some "signs" to watch for that could indicate it's time to think about a career change:

• Your current job doesn't align with your long-term career goals.
• You lack passion or interest in your current field.
• You believe a career change would provide better job satisfaction and fulfillment.
• Your current position doesn't allow for personal and professional growth.
• Your current role no longer challenges you.

Benefits of Working in the Marketing Field

Switching to a new career is only the beginning, as you'll also need to decide which new industry or line of work you'd like to explore. For many, transitioning to the marketing industry is a lucrative opportunity for various reasons.

Marketing offers diverse career paths you could choose. Whether you're interested in print marketing, digital marketing, branding, or anything in between, you can find a role that lets you explore your interests and passions. Likewise, marketing is an inherently creative field. If you enjoy harnessing your creativity in your work, marketing can be a suitable career path for you.

No matter what your past work experience may look like, many transferable skills can apply to jobs in marketing. Of course, if you wish to seek additional education, there is no shortage of learning opportunities in marketing, too.

Combine all the above with the high demand for marketing professionals, and it's easy to see why this is such a popular industry for people looking to make a career change. Consider, for example, that the demand for marketing managers is expected to grow by 6 percent between 2022 and 2032 alone. That's faster than the national average for all occupations. Meanwhile, the demand for market research analysts is expected to grow rapidly by a projected 13 percent between 2022 and 2023.

5 Tips for a Career Change to Marketing

As you prepare to embark on a new career in the marketing field, keep a few tips in mind that could help you tackle your career change with greater confidence.

1. Improve Your Transferable Skills

Start by considering some of your current skills and strengths and how you can apply those to your work in marketing. For instance, writing is a crucial skill to possess as a professional marketer. You can take the time to sharpen these skills by starting a blog as you transition to your new career. Finding ways to hone your transferable skills will help make the transition to marketing easier when you land your first job in this challenging yet fulfilling field.

2. Gain Experience in Your New Career Path

Next, it's time to get your foot in the door by gaining real-world marketing experience. Sometimes, this might feel like a catch-22 because landing your first marketing position can be challenging without explicit marketing experience. That is why taking advantage of internships (both paid and unpaid) and volunteering opportunities can make a big difference.

For example, consider taking on a pro-bono marketing client in the form of a local small business that needs help with search engine optimization (SEO) or social media marketing. From there, you could gain valuable experience to put on your resume.

3. Develop New Skills With Free Tools

There are many basic skills and technical skills that go into the everyday work of a marketing professional. With this in mind, it's important to take the time to master these marketing skills, which may include:

• Posting to social media
• Cropping images
• Uploading images to a website
• Optimizing copy for SEO
• Creating and sizing banner ads
• Developing an email drip campaign

If this feels overwhelming, try focusing on one skill at a time until you feel confident tackling all of them. In addition, you might find exploring some options for digital marketing certification helpful, which can help you hone your digital marketing expertise and stand out among your competition in the job market.

4. Learn How to Brand Yourself

Marketing isn't just about helping your clients with their branding; it's also about practicing what you preach by knowing how to market yourself. Some ways to do this include setting up a professional website, ensuring you have an optimized LinkedIn profile, and revamping your resume for your new field. A little bit of effort can pay off big time here.

5. Consider an Educational Path

While you don't necessarily need a formal degree or certificate to succeed in the marketing field (especially if you bring some transferable skills to the table), the reality is that a formal education in marketing can help you find greater success and reach your full potential in this dynamic field.

Numerous programs are available to you, including certificate and bachelor's degree programs. These programs are ideal for helping you learn the fundamental skills needed to succeed in marketing. Plus, having a formal degree or certificate on your resume can help you stand out from other job applicants who may not have pursued an education.

Preparing for a Successful Career Transition

As you prepare to embark on your transition to marketing, there are a few last-minute tips to consider that could help things go as smoothly as possible:

• Set clear goals and objectives for your career transition.
• Create a plan with actionable steps.
• Seek guidance from a career expert or mentor to navigate the transition process.
• Learn more about the marketing industry through informational interviews.
• Stay open-minded and adaptable to new opportunities and challenges.

Streamline your transition to a marketing career with a foundational education. Champlain College Online offers an undergraduate certificate in marketing and a bachelor's degree in marketing communication to help you gain the qualifications you need for this field.

Request more information to learn about CCO’s undergraduate certificates and degree programs in marketing, or get started with your free online application today!