How do you progress to the Chief Marketing Officer job title? Many believe that there is a s...
How do you progress to the Chief Marketing Officer job title? Many believe that there is a set career path you must follow from Marketing Executive through to C-suite. But career development is changing.
The concept of a straightforward "career ladder" - where marketers progress through promotions - is becoming increasingly uncommon. Instead, we're seeing professionals embrace opportunities that lie outside the beaten track. This topic has become popular at 3Search Events. Our panellists are advising attendees to be open minded when approaching the job market.
This article breaks down the benefits of a winding career path and how it can help you reach your long-term career goals.
Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis famously coined the phrase "squiggly career" with the launch of their podcast in 2017. With 4 million downloads, their concept has resonated with many professionals who feel that the straight line didn't work for them.
This rise of the squiggly career path has given thousands a newfound confidence to pursue diverse opportunities. For instance, Claire Truscott, VP of Strategic Communications at Moody’s Corporation, describes her career as "squiggly". Her career started in an entry-level marketing role before transitioning to journalism and communications.
Whether it's exploring a new industry or skill set, professionals are embracing this option for a number of reasons.
One key theme for exploring different career paths is personal growth and changing interests. Rather than allow their careers to be dictated by job titles, Claire Truscott, Mai Fenton and Celia Pronto have all followed their personal ambitions.
Non-Executive Director, Mai Fenton, shared on one of our panels that diversity was something that she wanted to achieve in her career. She didn’t want to be pigeon-holed into one industry, so actively pursued a range of work environments. As a result, she has had a truly dynamic career across FMCG, ecommerce, retail and financial services.
Non-Executive Director and Coach, Celia Pronto, has achieved something similar. Celia has pivoted multiple times during her working life. Working in high-growth start-ups and corporates with the aim of filling skill gaps. She made each decision based on gaining knowledge in areas that she was interested in.
Many believe that marketers must follow a set path to the C-suite. The conventional career path looks something like this - progressing from Executive to Manager to Director to CMO. This is a common misconception.
Many Chief Marketing Officers and Non-Executive Directors we've spoken to have credited their success to their varied career. For instance, Dawn Spencer, Board Advisor at Food Motion, began her career with the goal of reaching CMO. To achieve this, she actively sought out marketing jobs that allowed her to learn more about the sector. This meant that when she became CMO at Pilgrim's Food Master, she had a rounded view of marketing.
A winding career not only presents the opportunity to explore the breadth of digital marketing, but also allows the development of vital soft skills. To be a successful CMO, you must be adaptable, flexible and committed to learn. Marketers with a diverse career will naturally gain these skills as they adapt to their new roles and and environments.
Some believe that employers will frown upon a varied CV. However, there are clear benefits to employing a candidate with a breadth of experience.
While there are benefits to becoming an industry expert, we're seeing more employers searching for talent with diverse backgrounds. A number of clients are specifically looking to hire talent from outside their industry to gain a fresh perspective on their marketing strategy.
Plus, in turbulent times, a varied CV can help secure your next career move.
Now you know the benefits of a varied or squiggly career, here are some tips from those who have built a diverse CV.
Job titles are important to a person's career, but can sometimes hold you back from exploring the right opportunity.
Kate Pennell, Group Head of Brand and Marketing at Howden, encourages marketers to think creatively about their career moves. Kate advises you to "be curious" about all opportunities, even if the job title doesn’t match what you believe to be the next step in your career.
This was incredibly important for her own career journey, when she took the step from Marketing Director to Head of. At this point in her journey, she realised that titles often mean something different across businesses. The real value lies in the responsibilities and growth opportunities they entail.
Non-Executive Director, Helen Normoyle, illustrates the value of lateral moves. Early in her career, Helen made a lateral move to transition into an industry that piqued her interest. This particular work experience allowed Helen to develop new skills that were key to landing her dream job later in her career.
The key to a positive work life is always looking ahead to the future. You should always be thinking about how your current role can lead to the next one. This is how a non-linear career path naturally takes shape. Instead of thinking about job titles, business or industry, you're thinking about what transferable skills you'll develop.
One of the main reasons people become a Non-Executive Director is to bring variety into their careers. However, if you're earlier in your career journey, contracting is a great option! Becoming an interim leader provides a unique route to different industries and opportunities.
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