Obviously, there are a great many factors to consider when you are considering changing jobs. Things like location, pay, company culture and how much you enjoy or don’t enjoy your current job are all highly relevant. If you are in a position to change jobs tactically or a new opportunity has presented itself, this article can give you helpful guidance on optimising your moves to help your marketing career! 

As you progress through your current job, you may notice your interests shift. In the fast-paced world of media, marketing, advertising and digital you may notice your job role shifts too. You can find yourself looking elsewhere for a new challenge or discover a new role you want to follow. To make sure you are changing careers an appropriate number of times to best demonstrate your desire to progress while still assuring recruiters and hiring managers you can commit, read on! 

Agency Marketing Careers – Should You Jump Ship?

It is a long- held belief in the industry that marketers start on the agency side to build their skills before looking for a more permanent in-house team. It is certainly true that there are enourmous benefits to agency work in regards to building knowledge. You’ll work with a variety of clients and potentially be exposed to many different fields and roles. However, this doesn’t mean after a time you will complete this journey and be ready to ‘settle’ elsewhere. It is down to you and the opportunities that arise so ther eis nothing to say this established route is the best. 

Historical models for career progression don’t really fit in the digital marketing world, with new developments, new technology and therefore new roles advancing all the time agencies have a great deal to offer those looking to explore all the industry has to offer. 

With traditional advice, and that of managers, often being to stay in their departments, hone their craft, and learn to nurture other people’s development you have to wonder if this is really still the best way to learn. 

Tactical Moves Can Help You Keep Ahead

Changing jobs can give you the exposure you get at an agency by letting you work in different roles and industries. This will strengthen your professional experience and ultimately enrich your marketing career. As the digital industry continues to grow, more emphasis is placed on skills specialist possess rather than time in a specific role. Given the fast-evolving nature of digital, many of the most knowledgeable digital marketers have the least work experience as they have  come straight from learning new technologies and the most up to date innovations.

Many traditional marketers might find they don’t have time to learn these new things ‘on-the-job. Employees can gain perspective about best practices and a new skill set as they move from one employer to another. A well-thought-out job change can let you learn new skills as part of your day-to-day job and new employee training.

Changing jobs is a balancing act

It doesn’t take a genius to see that job hopping too much can hurt your employability. But it is possible that staying too long in one job can hold you back too! For most jobs, employers will be looking for a balance between commitment and progression so it is not a simple decision to know when to stay and when to move on. 

Staying too long can look like complacency or lack of motivation and employers might assume you would have difficulty adapting to new situations or different company culture. In short, the number of times you should move depends on your preferences. All employers’ requirements are different but a good rule of thumb is at least one to three years.

Staying in a role for three years or so can let employers know you are wiling to commit yourself but also that you are up for the chance to learn new things. It suggests an employee who is constantly learning and progressing and ready for the chance to learn new things.

Should I Stay or Should I go: Progressing Your Marketing Career

If you’re happy in your role, there is no reason to move until you feel ready for an opportunity elsewhere. Many people stay in  with the same company in similar positions for a long time because they enjoy the role and the company.

You should change if feel there is no way to progress further where you are and you are hungry to learn more. Maybe you have a career plan and need to move companies in order to get to the role you are aspiring to.  There is no one answer or quick-fix and there is no telling what opportunities might or might not arise in your current place of work – especially if you are with a start-up or rapidly expanding company.

Are you ready for your next challenge? Dot-gap has a range of exciting opportunities available now, from entry-level to account director. Get in touch today to make your smart move.