7 Steps to Network your way to the best marketing jobs

I help companies find the best marketers and help marketers find exciting Companies. But over the years, I've learned that some people do not need my help, as they rarely come on to the jobs market. Through luck, perseverance and happenchance, I now call one of these people, my friend.

These networkers are the ones who always seem to know someone—moving to join people or companies before the ink is dry on the new job description. Or bringing contacts in whom they worked with before or knew from college or university days which fit in like magic. Well, odds are you could do the same.

Scott Addington is this networker for me. So, I thought given how challenging the job market is in 2020 I'd ask Scott to share some tips. Scott recently moved roles, joining Sugar CRM as VP of Marketing, here's how he approaches a job search.

Have a plan

Know what you're good at, figure out which roles work for you and then look at where you want to get to and plot a path. You'll never get anywhere unless you aim at something. If you're not sure or are feeling lost, try to ask people who know you.

Mindset

Searching for a new role can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. It can become overwhelming, which in turn can make you lose momentum. It might even make you lose confidence. So, focus on the positive by engaging with people in your industry. Look at contacts past and present, be open to feedback and listen to their ideas or advice. Set goals and rewards. For example, you could set a target to complete three job applications first thing in the morning. Then reward yourself with a dog walk and a coffee upon your return. Before getting on with your next task or goal, e.g. follow up on yesterdays' job applications.

It's WHO you KNOW

It's worth building connections with friends and colleagues who are also job hunting. It's a great way to share leads, interview tips and experiences but also to build hope. If people in this group are finding success before you, great, it means you will too! Knowing this can keep you motivated and encourage you that the right role is out there. It's wise to keep your network "alive", by engaging and supporting others. Give a like, make a comment or share someone's article. Drop people a note. There has never been a more apt or relevant time to message someone with the simple phrase "So, how are you?".

Social Networking

Networking is not limited to those you know. Social Media is a fabulous tool that is available to all, but you need to use it! That means writing articles, commenting on other articles, making observations and sharing insights. Which all help to position you, the candidate, as a potential solution or go-to person. It's also a great way to uncover connections and build relationships with new people. Share useful ideas or information, and people will want to follow and connect with you.

Prepare or prepare to fail.

Read up, research, uncover news reports and opinions. Get under the skin of the Company who wants to meet you. Start to understand what stories they could tell, where they stand in the market. Go above and beyond in this step and prepare to interview them! It will make you stand out. Check out the competition, what are they doing, how could you use or improve on this?

The Zoom

Read the zoom; it's more challenging as you don't have the typical cues in a face to face interview situation. It's 2d, awkward, and sometimes technology can let you down. The likelihood is your interviewer has spent a long time on zoom already this day/week ok let's face it, year. Faces on screens can be draining, so BE present. As a marketer who produces video content, my brief is, to become an "actor". Get animated on screen! It might feel foreign to you, but for the interviewer, it's a better experience, and likely to make you stand out.

The Close

Marketers work with sales to help the business generate leads and revenue. What is surprising is how often a marketer doesn't "close" in the interview. Not to say going for a hard close, is the right approach, but what's wrong with showing you are keen and want the job? Try a conversational style type of close. For example, you could try this. "I like where the Company is going and feel I could add value to this role. What reservations do you have about my skills and experience, that I could address before I go?"

In summary, your network could be a goldmine of untapped opportunity. You're not going to hit gold at your first or second attempt but, the art of finding gold is to keep digging.