How can you use your marketing operations experience to transition to a new industry?

2 Research your target industry

The next step is to research your target industry and understand its trends, challenges, opportunities, and best practices. You can use a variety of sources for this, such as industry reports, blogs, podcasts, webinars, newsletters, and social media. Additionally, networking with people who work in the industry can provide valuable insights. Some questions to ask include: what are the main goals and pain points? What are the current and emerging marketing strategies? What skills and qualifications are in demand? What roles and responsibilities do marketing operations professionals have? And finally, what are the expectations and culture of the industry?

3 Update your resume and portfolio

The third step is to update your resume and portfolio to emphasize your transferable skills and accomplishments in marketing operations, tailored to the industry you’re targeting. To make your resume and portfolio stand out, use keywords and phrases that are relevant and specific to that industry, quantify your results and impact with metrics and data, showcase projects and campaigns that demonstrate your skills and creativity in marketing operations, include testimonials and recommendations from clients, managers, or colleagues, and use a clear, concise, and professional format and design.

4 Showcase your learning and adaptability

The fourth step is to showcase your learning and adaptability skills, which are essential for transitioning to a new industry. You can do this by taking online courses, certifications, or workshops related to your target industry or role. It's also beneficial to follow industry influencers, thought leaders, and publications, and engaging with them on social media or blogs. Creating or updating your online presence, such as your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or blog, and sharing your insights, opinions, or learnings about your target industry is also important. Additionally, volunteering, freelancing, or consulting for organizations or projects in your target industry can be beneficial and should be added to your resume and portfolio. Lastly, don't forget to ask for feedback, guidance, and mentorship from your network or industry experts.

5 Prepare for interviews and negotiations

The final step is to prepare for interviews and negotiations with potential employers or clients in your target industry. To do this, you should research the company, review the job description and requirements, practice your elevator pitch and storytelling, and highlight your value proposition and fit for the industry. Additionally, you should prepare questions, examples, and references to demonstrate your knowledge of the industry. Finally, you should negotiate your salary, benefits, and terms based on your research and market value.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?