Congrats! You’ve received a job offer, but while having options for the next step in your marketing career might seem like a good thing, it's not without its challenges.
It can be incredibly daunting knowing which roles and companies align with your personal career plan and values.
So, how do you decide which role is right for you? How do you know you're making the right choice now and in the future?
If you are feeling conflicted and there are no clear winners, here are a couple of steps I often suggest to candidates to take prior to making a decision;
Map the roles against your priorities
First, knowing exactly what you can expect from each available role is essential. Two positions with the same job title are likely to include different responsibilities, benefit packages, and schedules.
Think about the following factors; Will you be able to focus on the tasks you enjoy doing most? Are you going to be able to access opportunities for growth and development?
How do you think you will work with the team and most importantly your manager?
How flexible is the role, and will you have the option to work remotely, if necessary?.
Reflect on your career to date
When I coach candidates as part of our career coaching practice, I often ask them to reflect on their career as a timeline (insert link to career timeline). They can plot any high’s and lows and map trends around what was happening around them when things in their career have either been at their best or not working quite so well.
This is such a simple piece of work but also highly effective.
It will help act as a barometer around what environment, management approach and role may be the best choice for you.
Think Long-Term
The average person will move through several jobs throughout their lifetime, exploring new opportunities and leveraging professional growth benefits. However, even if you're unlikely to stay in your new role forever, you should consider how it will contribute to your overall goals and career plan.
A job with a lower salary but more personal development and growth options may make more sense if you're trying to move into a higher position in your industry.
Working with a well-known company that will help you to gain credibility in the marketing space could be a great way to boost your professional brand.
If you are looking for a career pivot, you may need to take a sideways step to build up your skills and experience to then be able to move up.
Examine the Company Culture
One of the most important things you can consider when deciding which role to accept is which position will make you the happiest. Remember, 46% of job candidates today believe company culture is crucial to finding the right role.
It’s worth highlighting that now you have an offer, don’t be afraid to have an informal chat with any potential hiring managers if you have further questions. You are in a strong position to ask those questions that you might not have felt so comfortable asking at an interview.
Get a feel for the company culture. Pay attention to how they treat their staff and how open and transparent they are about your responsibilities. Ask questions like;
What values do you prioritise, and how are they integrated into day-to-day operations?
How do you celebrate achievements and recognise the efforts of its employees?
What is your approach to work-life balance?
How would you describe the leadership style within your organisation?
After all, you are making an important career commitment to them so don't be afraid to ask direct, specific questions.
If you are working with a recruiter, they are likely to know a lot more about a company than you would find on a job description. A good recruiter will be open and candid with you about the opportunity. On the flip side as a candidate we always encourage you to be open and honest about any concerns so that they can be addressed throughout the process.
Understand the development opportunities.
A whopping 52% of people leave companies due to a lack of development opportunities according to Culture Amp.
It’s critical to understand what growth and career development will look like in the job. You want to be sure that you can see yourself not just in the role you’re currently applying for but that there is a career path at the organisation that you’re excited about.
If you want to find out how we can help you find your next marketing role, or if you are looking to hire new talent, please arrange a call here or email: jo.wassell@invokerecruitment.com
If you are looking to brush up on your interview skills, we have some fantastic resources to help, you can check them out here.