The first wave of jobs lost to the coronavirus were in retail, restaurants, hospitality and other businesses forced to close in order to keep people safe. Now layoffs are coming to white collar jobs in sectors that seemed safe when the crisis first began.
Right now, marketing is taking a hit. Employees at the biggest advertising firms in the country are now being furloughed, fired and laid off.
With marketing job posts on Indeed down 50 percent in April from the same time last year, marketing professionals are beginning to worry about the long-term health of the industry.
Luckily, marketing professionals develop skills that are highly desirable to employers outside their industry. If you were laid off or furloughed, you can bounce back, but you should start looking for your next position right away.
Once the worst of the COVID-19 crisis is behind us, the job market will be cramped with others eager to elbow their way back into a new role.
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Here, we have identified roles that those with marketing skills can step into right now. Let's look at the opportunities available to you outside your field so you can get a headstart on the competition.
Transferable skills to emphasize on your resume
Whether you wrote the ad copy or managed the accounts, you developed a lot of hard-earned and highly valued skills throughout your marketing career.
Qualities that might catch the eye of employers outside your industry are known as transferable skills.
Employers are looking for three types of skills:
Hard skills that can be measured. These show off a learned skill, such as speaking a foreign language or mastering the principles of mathematics.
Soft skills are your hard-to-teach personal strengths as an employee, such as being a team player.
Technical skills show an aptitude, such as an ability to use a particular computer program.
Here are a few examples of skills in each category you might've picked up over the course of your marketing career:
Hard skills: Technological proficiency, social media, email marketing, content management, content marketing, graphic design, data analysis, data visualization, lead nurturing, mobile marketing, video editing, writing, UX design, video conferencing
Soft skills: Emotional intelligence, teamwork, collaboration, empathy, flexibility, time management, adaptability, strong work ethic, creativity
Technical skills: Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress, social media tools such as Hootsuite, Adobe Creative Suite (note: mention specific tools, such as Photoshop, when appropriate), Microsoft Office, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, email marketing tools such as Constant Contact, YouTube Analytics, Google Analytics, Google AdWords
Certifications and training: Many of the tools used by marketing teams have their own certification programs. These include Google AdWords, Google Analytics, Hootsuite, Facebook, HubSpot, YouTube and Google Analytics. Additional marketing certifications include: American Marketing Association Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), Copyblogger Certified Content Marketer, Content Marketing Institute Online Certification
These industries are hiring people with your skills
While job listings in marketing are way down, there are still companies in certain sectors hiring marketing roles. Check Mediabistro and the American Marketing Association job board to see what's available, or consider freelancing and selling your services directly to businesses through a platform like Upwork.
If you were on the creative side in marketing, including copywriter, copy editor, graphic designer, photographer, video editor, creative director:
- Community outreach specialist (for example, for a non-profit like UNICEF)
- Social media strategist (for example, for an essential retail company like Walmart)
- Communications coordinator (for example, at a hospital)
- Public relations specialist (for example, at a research institute)
If you were on the business, strategy or analysis side in marketing, including media buyer, ad sales, account executive, brand manager, sales representative, fundraiser, marketing research analyst:
- Campaign manager (for example, for a non-profit like the American Red Cross)
- Fundraising coordinator (for example, for a non-profit like a local food bank)
- Data analyst (for example, at a data analysis company like Intel)
- Project manager (for example, at an eCommerce company like Amazon)
- Sales representative (for example, at a healthcare company like CVS Health)
If you were exclusively in digital marketing, including SEO specialist, eCommerce manager, email marketer, online product manager:
- Social media strategist (for example, for a non-profit like No Kid Hungry)
- Data analyst (for example, at a research institute)
- Communications coordinator (for example, at an eCommerce company, like Shipt)
- IT support specialist (for example, at a hospital)
How to apply for these roles and what you'll need
Online:
- A current email address and phone number
- A resume
- A brief cover letter
How to find these jobs in your community
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- Mediabistro
- Krop
- CrunchBoard
- American Marketing Association
- Upwork (freelancer network)
Do I need a resume during the COVID crisis?
Even in the age of COVID-19, companies who hire white collar workers fully expect applicants to submit a well-written resume or CV. If you don't have a resume ready, you probably won't get a second look.
Cover letters aren't always required, but in a field like marketing, where the ability to clearly communicate is paramount to success, you should always write one. When you're considering a career transition, the cover letter is where you explain why you're doing so. Don't pass on this opportunity.
As you consider your next step, here's a resume example for you to review.
Text resume example: SEO manager applying for a data analyst role
Name: Damien Ritter
Address: Machipongo, VA 23405
Phone: (555)555-5555
Email: example@example.com
Professional Summary
Seasoned SEO manager with five years of relevant experience and a results-driven approach seeking a data analyst position. Capable of leading complex operations and special projects for new and established customers. Excellent analytical, organizational and decision-making abilities.
Summary of Skills
- Data analysis
- SEM trend knowledge
- Keyword optimization
- Problem resolution
- Strategic planning
- Operational improvement
Work History
SEO Manager
RJM Technologies
Washington, DC
6/2017–4/2020
- Managed quality assurance program, including onsite evaluations, internal audits and customer surveys.
- Developed paid client ads for use on diverse social media platforms, increasing views by up to 40 percent.
- Maximized strategic approaches by closely monitoring performance and making appropriate adjustments.
- Built, implemented and updated effective SEO strategies.
- Performed in-depth competitor reviews to check competitor activities with ad placement, keyword use, placement bids and landing pages.
Marketing Assistant
Aquent
Arlington, VA
5/2015–6/2017
- Compiled product, market and customer data to forecast accurate sales and profit projections.
- Collaborated with team members to help expand marketing channels.
- Assisted with capturing and analyzing social media metrics.
- Contributed to mock-ups, email campaigns and social media content.
Education & Certifications
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Ohio State University
2015
Google Analytics Certification
Current
Google AdWords Certification
Current
LiveCareer Resume Builder example: SEO manager applying for a data analyst role
