3 ways to advance your BD & Marketing career

With the year in full swing, it’s now time to think about how you are progressing with your career. Here are 3 ways in which you can get ahead:

1. Brush up on your knowledge

Think about not only the skills you need in order to perform your current role well but also consider other skills that you might need in the future.

Adobe Creative Suite, CRM systems (InterAction/Salesforce/Dynamics) and digital skills such as HTML are in particularly high demand from employers but in short supply from candidates.

Learning these additional skills earlier than necessary gives you the time to develop without being under pressure and will put you in good stead when looking for new opportunities.

2. Expand your network

Look online for industry events and sign up, you never know who you might meet. 

Make new connections with other BD and Marketing professionals where you can exchange ideas, this can lead to thinking of new ways of working.

 Find out what others in your field have done to progress their careers and use this to inspire you. Talking to BD and Marketing professionals from other companies might even help you find out about new vacancies that become available.

3. Take on a temporary position to fast-track your career

If you haven’t already thought about it, temping or undertaking a contract role can be a fantastic way of making a real impact on your career very quickly. 

In many cases, temping can ultimately ‘fast-track’ you into the position you really want by allowing you to gain skills and push you to a new level.

Perceptions of employers towards temping has changed in recent years, with most viewing temporary work very positively. Employers increasingly understand the value of undertaking fixed term contract roles which enable candidates to refine their skills whilst also increasing market and industry exposure.

There have been some genuine success stories in the last year. One example is of a Marketing Executive who was placed in a fixed term contract role with a large accountancy firm. This role enabled her to gain invaluable experience working on key campaigns which then enabled her to secure another long-term contract within a Magic Circle law firm at adviser level. This move has ‘spring boarded’ her to the next level of her career and she is now on track to become a manager within record time (due to the contract role) with significant pay rises to boot! 

This is one of many success stories we have witnessed this year. If you want to be part of the success story for 2016 then don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss your requirements and we would be delighted to help.