‘Is it me? Why am I not getting on to the shortlists?’
No, it isn’t you.
Getting on to the shortlists is tougher than ever for senior marketing leaders, so understanding why you might not be gaining traction will only help to reposition yourself for future roles. We hope the following information and tips will help you when navigating the current recruitment market.
The whys:
Competition is high
The current recruitment market for senior marketing leaders is saturated after a period of extraordinary change and economic uncertainty. In a crowded market, factors like sector-specific experience or niche skills can determine who advances on to the shortlists.
Requirements are specific
Organisations are able to find candidates who fit their specific requirements (and culture). For example, most are seeking leaders who have delivered growth in certain sectors or contexts, which makes moving into new sectors more challenging for candidates at this time.
Skills are essential
Even the most seasoned senior marketing leader may have skills gaps in today’s data-driven and tech-enabled landscape. Organisations are increasingly prioritising expertise in performance marketing, customer experience (CX), and artificial intelligence (AI) - areas where legacy skill sets may fall short.
Our tips for getting on to the shortlists:
Work on your personal brand
Update your CV and LinkedIn profile, get active on LinkedIn, and work on your story – specifically around business impact. Hiring processes are faster and sharper in some ways because technology plays a key role in finding candidates, but longer and more drawn out in other ways because hiring teams will spend more time scrutinising applications. Your personal brand has to be ready for that.
Improve your skill set
If you don’t have experience in some of the areas mentioned above, seek out training and mentorship to fill those gaps. Training with The Marketing Society, The Marketing Academy, Mini MBA, and MAD//Masters are great places to start. We also have a list of AI courses that come highly recommended by other senior marketing leaders.
Work with a trusted and niche executive search firm
With a saturated recruitment market, it’s wise to seek out executive search firms who really understand your seniority and function. They will have the strongest connections and most compelling roles available to you. For example, Suzie Walker Executive Search specialises in interim and permanent senior marketing roles – perfect for candidates at Chief of/Director/Head of level.
The bar is high, but not impossible. Position yourself correctly and you'll certainly get on to the shortlists.
If you feel ready to move towards the next stage in your career, or if you’re hiring for your team, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for B2C and B2B marketing and digital/tech roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
If you’re ready to make your next move, we regularly post new opportunities on our LinkedIn company page. If you apply for a role on the platform, it requires a 1st connection for us to respond, so please make sure to connect with Suzie Walker. Our company page is also frequently updated with the latest hiring news, expert interviews, and candidate guidance, so well worth following.
