Get to Your Goal - Reverse Engineer your Career Path.

Reverse engineer your career path in marketing to achieve what you want in the long term.

So many of our career decisions are made for the here-and-now. Sometimes, it's worth stepping back to look at the bigger picture. It could be worth taking a sideways step to then take 3 steps forwards next time. It might be worth undertaking that training course that initally makes you go cross-eyed.

Work backwards from the dream you have right now and then apply that to your worklife daily, how you interviews and the decisions you make in the pursuit of happiness.

1. Identify your long-term career goals: The first step in reverse engineering your career path in marketing is to identify your long-term career goals. For example, you may want to become a CMO of a multi-billion pound MNC, a brand strategist who works 6mths of the year and lives on The Riviera for the rest, or a digital marketing guru who parachutes in to help companies get better in that space. Once you know where you want to end up, you can work backwards to create a roadmap to get there.

2. Research the skills required: Once you have identified your long-term career goals, research the skills and qualifications required to achieve them. This may involve looking at job postings for your desired role, getting new mentors, speaking with industry professionals, or conducting online research. Make a list of the skills and qualifications you need to acquire or develop to reach your goals.

3. Create a timeline: Once you have a list of the skills and qualifications you need to develop, create a timeline for achieving them. Consider how long it will take to acquire each skill or qualification, and map out a realistic timeline for achieving them. Most roles in a company take you 12-18mths to progress from as a rule of thumb.

4. Gain relevant experience: In addition to developing the required skills and qualifications, gaining relevant experience is also important. Look for opportunities to gain hands-on experience in areas such as market research, social media marketing, content creation, and data analysis. This can include cross-functional steps, freelance work on the side, secondments or even voluntary roles.

5. Network: Networking is also crucial in marketing. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and connect with other professionals in your field. This can help you build relationships with people who can provide valuable advice, support, and job opportunities.

6. Stay current: Marketing is a constantly evolving field, so it's important to stay current on the latest trends and technologies. Stay up-to-date by attending conferences, reading industry publications, and participating in online communities.

By following these steps, you can reverse engineer your career path to achieve your long-term goals as a marketer. Stay focused, stay motivated, and be willing to adapt to changes in the industry. Good luck!

For advice, help or just to understand what's happening in the FMCG marketplace, get in touch with POET - book a call any time here