Appraisals amidst layoffs; Marketers Edition
During layoffs, hiring freezes, and shutdowns, discussing career growth is difficult. Marketers, how do you justify your personal growth?
Enhance Your Marketing Career Progression
If you are a marketer and you are reading this, I think this email should be helpful to you.
As a marketer who has been working in a certain role in a certain field/department on different projects for a while, we start to feel like we've mastered our current job and are ready to move up. However, it doesn't work that way, and getting a raise or promotion is not a simple way to move up in your career.
In traditional settings and cultures, this may have been true in the past, but as workplaces have changed, so have the ways things are done.
People often think that if they check off a certain number of boxes, they will automatically be considered for a promotion. Nope. You need to do well at your current job and go above and beyond to show that you are ready for the next one.
From what I've seen and done in my work, it doesn't have to be that hard, scary, or scary. I've listed a few ways you can move up in your marketing career during the current review cycle.
I want you to read them and share them with your friends because I think you can learn something from them.
Understand the Objectives of the Position You Want
This may sound apparent, but it is important to understand the responsibilities and bigger picture/objective of the position you have + the position you are chasing.
If we take into mind the role you are chasing or the appraisal you are behind,
It is important for you to be aware of;
Skills Required (hard and soft)
Practical Training (Projects) or Academical Training ( Certification)
Software or system proficiencies
Adhering to new company processes
Aligning your position work to the company and client goals
Aligning to Revenue goals
Responsibilities (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, & Annually)
Before you start the process of appraisal/ promotion, you need to have a clear understanding of the role’s expectations. This will keep you a step ahead during your interactions with HR and Senior leadership.
Find the Missing Pieces of Your Skill Set & Experience
Now that you know what your targetted role requires, you must analyze the gap between your current skillset & experience to your future. I.e. identifying the gaps in responsibilities, experience, and skills that exist between where you are now and where you need to be to advance.
Once you analyze the same, you can develop an action plan for bridging those gaps and landing the appraisal/promotion you want.
How to make an Action Plan? - I will share it in the future edition.
Discuss Your Plans for the Future with Your Direct Leader
Discuss the role you want and your plan of action with your direct leader openly. You can then seek their feedback on the strategy and other areas where you can improve in order to be considered for advancement.
This action will demonstrate to them that you are enthusiastic and willing to go the extra mile to advance. Managers want two things in the end, their own work to be efficient and their team to succeed personally as well as professionally. Thus, they are a vital element in your development.
Provide updates on your progress during 1:1s so that it remains front of mind for both you and your manager. This will keep you both informed of your progress and any next steps that either of you may require.
Take on the Position You Want
One of the most significant recommendations is to do the position you want while acting as if you already have it! This includes stepping up to take work off your manager's plate, being proactive in trying to own new tasks, demonstrating self-direction, speaking up during meetings, and gaining as much experience as possible pertaining to the responsibilities in the next role.
For example - If you need additional experience with budget forecasting for a client, inform your manager that you will be in charge of that deliverable. Following that, meet with your boss to go over feedback and determine where changes may be made. The more you dwell on practical experience, the more confident and at ease, you will be once achieve the appraisal/promotion.
Invest time outside of work pursuing your education or studies
You will never regret gaining more knowledge, especially in your area of interest. During my time at work, and additional education/training was not accessible as they are right now. So as a marketeer, I found a mentor, subscribed to different blogs, and used youtube.
But for this time of the year, I feel the access is abundant and what makes the best choice is individualism and mentorships. You can explore the vast content of Udemy, Youtube, etc., etc.
But when because of the abundance of content, it could not help you efficiently use your time. Hence the best option becomes a live cohort or peer-to-peer learning.
The same goal guides how I run Digital Moguls: objectivity, individualism, efficiency, and community. The goal is to help every marketer grow by giving them the right information and putting them in touch with one another. To be successful and move up in your career, you will need to keep learning, know the industry well, and pick up new skills.
It's Finally Time to Go For That Raise
Now that you know how to advance in marketing, start. Start now by writing down any of these ideas to get the promotion you want. I'm happy to help you learn a hard marketing skill that promises career growth. Follow the link below to book a 1:1 conversation.
Wishing you all the best in this appraisal season! I will share more insights on the appraisal process and culture in the marketing ecosystem! So stay tuned to the Digital Moguls.
Next Edition - What are the areas of work in marketing that will guarantee you a high level of promotion?