When you work as freelance creative, certain things are a given. Such as setting your own schedule (aka mastering the art of the consolidated, color-coded calendar), preparing for a very eventful tax season, and, of course, working with difficult clients — a particularly delicate situation when you are technically your own boss.

For the most part, there are ways to manage troublesome clients and make sure everyone ends up satisfied. All it takes is patience, transparency, professionalism, more patience, and a strong ability to say no.

Here are my top tips, from experience.

Be Careful Who You Work For

The top way to manage vexing clients is to avoid them altogether. Be sure to vet your clients thoroughly before you agree to work with them and/or sign any contract with them, keeping an eye out for certain red flags:

• The client doesn’t actually know what they want. If the client is very vague in explaining the work you’ll be doing — whether it’s deliverables, the purpose and goal of a project you are managing, or a seemingly endless timeline — it’s not a good look. You are there to complete a specific task, so entering into a work agreement that does not clearly delineate what that task is will only lead to frustration on both ends.
• They don’t want to pay you what you’re worth. Negotiating pay is part of the freelance process, and it can start to feel uncomfortable if your clients consistently try to lowball you or get free work out of you. Set your rate and stick to it. If they even begin to utter anything about the project being “great for exposure,” run for the hills.
• The client has unrealistic asks. Some clients know exactly what they want, which normally is great. But if they are asking for something that seems impossible, like a wild list of deliverables and/or a ridiculous timeline, think twice. Of course, if you are up for a quick turnaround, be sure to tack on that premium rush fee.
• The client doesn’t do what they say they’re going to do. This red flag goes for friends, bandmates, and group project prospects along with clients. If in early talks your client says they’re going to send you materials, and you do not receive them, even after several reminders, it’s probably a good preview of working with them will be like.

Common Challenges

One of the most common issues you may bump into with clients comes down to them not having a clear picture of what they want in the first place. You know, the kind of client who shuts down your ideas without providing something constructive that would help you get closer to what they want, but somehow expects you to pull the perfect idea out like a magician. Related to this are clients that give you too much freedom to do what you want — what seems like a dream hands-off gig can actually be neglectful as you are not sure what it is you’re meant to do.

Another common issue with clients is them assuming that your time belongs to them. The client may send you emails at all hours of the night or weekend and expect you to respond or turn work around outside your working hours.

There’s also the scope-creeper, the client who starts to incorporate other ideas and deliverables outside of the scope of work you agreed upon, asking to you to squeeze other mini-projects into the timeline or putting something they were responsible for onto your plate.

Hand-in-hand with the scope creeper is the “money-conscious” client who is constantly trying to get as much work out of you for as little money as possible.

The Best Offense Is a Good Defense

In general, the best time to confront these issues is actually at the beginning of your work with them. Talk in depth to get an understanding of what they want, translate that into what exactly you will be delivering, incorporate feedback opportunities, tie payment to the specific deliverables, and codify it into your contract with them. This will help protect you in the future and give you something to point to if your client deviates from the plan.

But if you already signed an unspecific contract, or your clients are still being difficult, it’s time to sit down, get real (professionally), and get on the same page with them.

Working Through It

Sometimes getting back on track is simply a matter of transparency, translation, and taking charge.

In any creative work, your biggest asset is knowing exactly what you need. That goes for the client and you, so come to the conversation prepared with a list of your needs so that the client can understand where you’re coming from. Do you need certain specs? A deadline? Do you need a communication strategy for the team?

From there, listen to the client and acknowledge their frustration. Clients get frustrated because they feel unheard, and it is your job to listen to their needs. Of course, chances are, if you have to revisit expectations, they may not be the best at expressing their needs in the first place, so you may have to do some translating and interpreting to understand what it is they really want. Acknowledging and validating your client works best when you also come to the table prepared with tangible solutions. You may be doing the heavy lifting of coming up with a path forward, but that is part of the gig.

The foundation of being able to do any of this is making sure you have firm boundaries. In fact, firm boundaries can help you come up with even more creative solutions. Is a client’s budget under your typical rate? Do your homework, acknowledge the budget, and let them know what they would get with their budget vs what they would get with your proposed one.

Of course, if a client is becoming extremely disrespectful or you have reached a real impasse, don’t be afraid to call it quits. Ideally, you would do so professionally and leave things on a positive note.

Calling in Backup
When a client gets out of hand, it’s nice to be able to bring in a manager who can back you up and help find a resolution. Of course, when you’re freelance, you often have to stand up for yourself, but freelancers who work with a firm do have the added comfort of having an advocate. Staffing agencies can step in to help navigate tough conversations with difficult clients — and make sure you get paid.

Dealing with difficult clients gracefully and having tough conversations is not fun. But they are part of the reality of being a freelancer, and they are valuable skillsets that will serve you well in your career and beyond.

About the author. 
Sam Mani writes about work, creativity, wellness, and equity — when she’s not cooking, binging television, or annoying her cat. 

It comes up a lot in conversation. When I say I’m a freelance writer, the next thing I hear is: “What’s it like?” Most of the time the question is from a person with an interest in writing, someone who writes a lot and has some talent. Okay, that’s one thing. But writing on demand for a living is another. It’s a profession and doing that on a freelance basis is a business and often a tough one.  

So here’s my story. It addresses the major issues, considerations and lines of inquiry entailed in this career path. 

Why did you decide to be a freelancer vs. take a full-time job?

Some people are born to be freelance writers. That’s what they want to do and they’re off and writing. I’m not one of them. 

I aspired to be a full-time corporate writer and set out on that path with jobs that I (mostly) loved. I did, however, augment that work with occasional side jobs as a freelance writer, which proved to my advantage. That’s because, as life would have it, through various crises, such as downsizings, mergers and acquisitions, reorgs, economic downturns and performance, some of those around me would be out not on their own accord. For a long run, I held on and kept producing. That is, until I didn’t. I exited the sanctified office front doors with boxes filled but then unpacked them somewhere else and started all over again. 

However, at some point, I didn’t seek to bounce back that way. Enough! I needed and wanted to do this role on my own. So after many years of solid experience, a huge mortgage and then teenage son to support, I entered the land of freelance writing.  

 What are the hardest parts of being a freelancer?

The big three are: finding suitable work, managing your time, and getting paid. 

By far the most challenging upfront issue is securing assignments. And if you’re intent on making it as a freelancer, that’s more than getting one-offs. It’s building a pipeline of projects, ideally repetitive ones, to develop a freelance practice. 

That immediately leads to another potential difficulty, which is: how do you do it all masterfully? This is a be-careful-what-you-ask-for situation playing out in real time and real stress with ideally some proper rest incorporated in your schedule. Often clients’ timelines collide — they want deliverables on the same date or close. You need to juggle responsibilities, set expectations, learn to stop and start and be flexible. Sometimes — and I still shudder at this thought— you need to say “no.” That means establishing your own terms or turning down work. 

Speaking of work, a mega issue for freelancers is receiving remuneration, especially when it’s due. People have written volumes about this for all facets of freelancing, not limited to writing, including me. For details, see my “Show Me the Money! The Problem of Nonpayment for Freelancers.”  

What are the best parts of being a freelancer?

The top items on my short list are: ownership, mobility and variety. 

As a freelancer, YOU are in charge. You’re the boss. Of course, you work for your clients and succeed by meeting or, better yet, exceeding their expectations. So, it’s not as if you operate without guardrails. You must please those who fuel your fire in a multiplicity of ways. Laissez faire this is not, but it’s your operation to mold according to your vision. 

And that vision may take you to outposts beyond your usual setting. With the proper protocols, you can work most anywhere, most any time as long as you offer access and produce the promised goods. For instance, one freelance designer with a case of wanderlust set up shop in city after city in Europe and then in Iceland. It worked! I haven’t gone as far afield, but handled assignments outside my office environs. It’s a liberating experience. 

So is the opportunity to explore vistas, subject areas, and clients through your own practice. It’s always something new or, if you prefer, not so. It’s your choice and that’s a good feeling. Other freelance writers agree. See “5 Amazing Reasons to Start Freelance Writing in 2021” and “9 Benefits of Freelance Writers as Told by Top Content Writers.” 

Does freelancing allow you to pursue projects that you care about more?

In principle, the answer is yes. Because you’re in charge of your freelance fate, you can vie for work that is meaningful to you. That, in turn, may position you as a subject matter expert in an issue or format in which you have special interest. 

When I started, I felt it was advantageous to take in a broad base of industries, focus areas and writing styles; that established me as a generalist. My thinking: that would equip me to pursue many opportunities; it also enhanced my capacity to provide tangible samples to strengthen the chances of landing projects. In taking this wide path, I built a diverse portfolio. I then found myself going from generalist to specialist in several areas, which I could pursue skillfully with different clients.  

Do you ever miss the security and predictability that comes with a full-time job?

Yes, I have at times. A full-time job is more than a paycheck, which is itself a mega factor. Right up there also are employee benefits, namely group health insurance. However, that’s become easier with options from Freelancers Union as well as with the Affordable Care Act. 

In addition to the financial aspects of freelancing, emotional ones come into play. I enjoyed being part of organizations, working alongside colleagues and participating in the corporate culture. Yet, with that come countless political, interpersonal, and business issues over which you have no control. But here’s the flip side. As a freelancer, you can develop camaraderie with clients and function as an extension of their team. That’s something to cherish; even though you’re not a member of the official inner core of a company, you serve as a valued resource and can forge rewarding relationships. And you do so without messy and ongoing uncomfortable and sometimes impossible situations.  

 What types of assignments do you seek? Why? 

It is clear that my roots are in the full-time corporate sphere. For that reason, I tend to gravitate to looking for repetitive assignments and arrangements. I like being the go-to person for a client, learning the business, and then building on that knowledge to provide value-added contributions and content. Over the years, I’ve developed such contacts, complete with signed contracts for set time periods and renewals. Often, that opens the door to getting deeper into the organization to serve several departments, functions, or publications. 

Note that I initially wrote “I tend to gravitate.” There are exceptions. One-off projects are appealing as well, especially if they are in a hot button area or something new and fascinating. At this point, with all of my experience, I can make a case for tackling such assignments. Getting an offer, completing it, and then moving onto something else is a feeling of accomplishment and freedom.    

What common qualities do you find in the best assignments? What are those in the worst? 

I’ve quoted this song title frequently: “You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want).” Joe Jackson may be singing about love, but I apply this concept to many aspects of life, including freelance assignments. 

The best projects present a clear upfront understanding of the landscape, to do’s, and objectives. What’s the purpose? What do they want to achieve? The answers are forthcoming and to the point. The persons issuing the assignment thought it out carefully and describe it as such. They may even anticipate issues and offer examples and resources to explain what they seek in a deliverable(s) and when. That’s the basic recipe for a dream assignment. 

Pull the tablecloth out from underneath this beautiful place setting and you have the assignment from hell. These nightmares have open areas and issues, no plan or vision. Those doling it out don’t have a cohesive sense of the desired end product. They may think giving a freelancer complete free reign is a good thing — they’ll know if it’s right on when they receive the goods. But it’s hard for the freelancer to navigate the path forward through the fog. Expect revisits and rewrites. Pass on it.   

How do you find assignments, and what search tips can you give other freelancers? 

Here’s another song, one that fits this theme: “Here, There and Everywhere” by the Beatles. That’s my motto. I’ve looked for work in all the right places and wrong ones too (well, not exactly). The point is that, when starting out and during dry spells, I have barely left a stone unturned. I talked my skills up in just about every situation: at the gym, with neighbors, family, friends, acquaintances, social gatherings, athletic activities, dates, and even with clients for the purpose of getting other clients. Then there’s also formal networking. I looked for and joined industry and special interest groups, including those for business and general writers, public relations. I attended meetings galore. As an active member of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Westfair Chapter, I wrote a monthly jobs newsletter for members on a volunteer basis for seven years. I also set up job alerts through online job boards, LinkedIn and organizations, which come to my email inbox. Here again, I wrote on this topic for Creative Circle in a post entitled: “Virtual Networking: For Before, During, and After COVID.” It contains a lot of handy tips. 

Does being a freelancer make it harder to plan and handle finances? 

In general, yes. It takes some getting used to, but there are ways to strengthen your cycle of payments. Imperative: calculate your monthly fixed costs. I knew my set recurring expenses and estimates of others. Yes, emergencies arise, but so do extra freelance projects. It’s a balancing act. Go ahead and establish a budget. Then start a slush fund. Put money left over at the end of a period to the best possible use — save it. Get an income tax refund? Resist temptation to spend and instead sock at least some of it away. It’s a cushion to help you get through difficult times. 

I find getting freelance gigs through Creative Circle an avenue to plan and handle finances. You fill out a timecard for project(s) you’re on and the firm pays you on a weekly basis and takes out taxes. So you’re receiving remuneration as you work, which is similar to having a full-time job. If you’re actively engaged with Creative Circle, you also have the opportunity to apply for a range of benefits, including a 401(k) with company match. For more, see “How to Manage Your Money as a Freelancer” and “How These Two Freelancers Built Financial Security and Started Saving for Retirement.”  

Would you ever give up being a freelancer writer to take a full-time job?

Some years ago, I became friendly with a colleague at the firm we were at, who left to form her own specialty consulting practice. She had a successful go at working on her own but then took an offer to return to the full-time job world. But she learned she was a go-it-on-her-own person and ended up leaving that position to build back her own thing. She was outstanding in her field, highly regarded globally, and an astute business person. How smart was she? She engaged me as a freelancer to provide her content marketing needs. Then there was an uncomfortable silent spell. When she emerged, she told me she had accepted an offer to merge her practice into a large organization. She was going back into the full-time corporate world. Surprise! 

I haven’t taken that zigzag path but, in my 12+ years of being at the helm of Write Results LLC, NY, I would have signed on as employee with a large organization where I served as a freelance writing contractor. Interestingly, many of those I worked with there are elsewhere now for reasons not of their own. Some landed corporate jobs and others are freelancing. As for me, I’m holding steady and delighted to address this issue and many others as a freelance writer.  

About the author. 
You name it, she covers it. That’s the can-do attitude Sherry M. Adler brings to the craft of writing. A polished marketing and communications professional, she has a passion for learning and the world at large. She uses it plus the power of words to inform and energize stakeholders of all kinds. And to show how all of this can make a difference, she calls her business WriteResults NY, LLC. 

2022 has arrived and with it, more pandemic-hued bedlam, coloring almost every aspect of our lives with Covid-colored crayons. As we continue to reckon with our new (pathogenic) normal, certain realities have only etched themselves deeper. You’ve heard this before, and we’re saying it again: The pandemic has disproportionately affected women. Their health, work, and economic well-being have been negatively impacted. Women in general are carrying more of the burden in terms of domestic responsibilities — remote schooling, housework, managing the health and wellness of their families, and more. A September 2021 McKinsey study found that mothers are now more than three times as likely as fathers to meet the majority of household and caregiving demands. “Other (industrialized) countries have social safety nets; the U.S. has women,” shared sociologist Jessica Calarco.

For many women, maintaining full-time careers while simultaneously handling all these pandemic extras has become, well… too much. Women in the Workplace is the most extensive study on the state of women in corporate America, based on data from 423 companies employing 12 million people. It found that the percentage of women considering leaving the workforce or slowing down their careers has grown since the pandemic started. Women feel more burned out now than they were a year ago, and burnout is considerably more prevalent among women than men. As of September 2021, one in three women were considering downshifting or stepping away from their career, compared to one in four who said this several months into the pandemic.

All this is cause for concern — but there is reason for hope. The good news? Many women who needed to step away from full-time roles have found a new path forward with freelance work, which may be a better fit for their pandemic-infused work/life balance. The gig economy may just revolutionize the future of work to benefit women in the long run.

Businesses are increasingly adopting flexible work arrangements, like fully remote and hybrid models — taking a page from the freelance playbook. And we are also witnessing the growth of the independent contractor workforce, which includes those who freelance or consult. A recent survey of 2,000 women — most of whom were primary caregivers for their families — found that 96% felt flexibility was the primary advantage of independent work. A quarter of these women had recently left traditional employment, mainly because they needed more flexibility or time to care for children, parents, or other relatives.

Here’s why freelance work is well-suited to women. Independent workers are unique in the type of work they produce compared to traditional 9-to-5 employees. Standard employees are enmeshed with teams and have more interactive communication and coordination and a deeper level of shared responsibilities. However, freelance or independent workers provide a more individualistic and discrete contribution — think proofreading, massage therapy, or tutoring. Women entrepreneurs rule the roost at Etsy, where a whopping 87% of the sellers are women.

Recent research by Liya Palagashvili, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, substantiates this thinking, finding that: “women self-select into independent work roles where greater autonomy defines the work, where the role allows for greater freedom to make decisions and structure activities, and where the workweeks are shorter — allowing for greater temporal flexibility.” Simply put, Palagashvili says, this type of “work extends opportunities to women who would otherwise be unable to take on employment.”

Women’s shift towards independent work has been brewing for some time. Overall participation in freelance work has grown since 2000, but growth among women has been significantly more robust than for men. Using the tax data of independent contractors, an IRS study found that between 2001 and 2016, women accounted for 55% of growth in independent contracting at a time when full-time employment rates for women were relatively flat. We may be looking at a broad-based structural shift in how American women engage work, one that is ramping up dramatically thanks to the pandemic.

While independent work prospects for women are growing, challenges remain. As the number of independent contractors grows, work policies need to evolve as well. A 2020 survey found that 80% of self-employed respondents want access to flexible or portable benefits that are not tethered to a specific job or employer. (Check out the benefits available to Creative Circle freelancers here.)

The future of work is now. Even companies with a primarily full-time workforce are heeding the call for flexibility. More than 75% of senior human resources leaders say that letting employees work flexible hours has improved employee well-being. Companies are embracing flexibility and WFH at levels that would have seemed impossible just a couple of years ago — and many are also offering freelance work to those who would prefer that model to full-time employment.

We have a rare opportunity to create more inclusive workplaces that take the reality of women’s lives into more focused and thoughtful account.

About the author. 

An award-winning creator and digital health, wellness, and lifestyle content strategist—Karina writes, produces, and edits compelling content across multiple platforms—including articles, video, interactive tools, and documentary film. Her work has been featured on MSN Lifestyle, Apartment Therapy, Goop, Psycom, Yahoo News, Pregnancy & Newborn, Eat This Not That, thirdAGE, and Remedy Health Media digital properties and has spanned insight pieces on psychedelic toad medicine to forecasting the future of work to why sustainability needs to become more sustainable.

If you’ve never worked with a staffing agency, you might not have any idea what a company like Creative Circle does. I certainly didn’t. In my early 20s, I had landed at a digital agency, but felt undervalued in my role and could tell things were not going well for the company. (They folded about a year later.) As I was looking for my next move, the job hunt felt all-consuming and overwhelming. My roommate at the time noticed my frustration and suggested I try Creative Circle. He had gotten a few freelance gigs through them and said it was worth a shot. Little did I know, I’d end up spending the next three years as a recruiter in the New York office.

Over those years, I learned that Creative Circle strives to be more than just a staffing agency. It’s not just about job placements, but about being partners and advocates for the candidates and clients they connect with every day.

The production team is split in two.

Account executives (AEs) connect with digital and creative teams who either don’t have internal recruiting teams or just need a little extra help for urgent projects or difficult roles.

Recruiters serve as partners to candidates, helping them best present themselves and matching them with opportunities that might be a good fit.

I spoke to a few recruiters across the country to give you an idea of what candidates can expect when working with Creative Circle.

Zach Ryan

Zach is a recruiter for the Washington, D.C. team who sees himself as a partner and advocate for every candidate he meets.

How do you approach the role?

“We want to get to know candidates professionally in terms of what someone has done, what they’re capable of, and what they want to do. The goal is matching what they’re looking for and their skillsets. From there it’s trying to position them in the best way for those opportunities.”

What’s a challenge?

“We get a ton of people who always want to be put up for everything and get frustrated when they’re not hearing responses.”

How does that show up?

“Someone might respond back to a role thinking they’re perfect, but if the client has shown me what they’re looking for in a portfolio, it’s a disservice to get someone excited about a role if their work doesn’t line up with that. I can’t submit someone if they’re not going to be a fit.”

What’s the best part of the job?

“Getting to call somebody when they land a role is the best part without question. Last week, I thought a job was for one role, and they ended up hiring both people they interviewed. That was really great.”

What’s your advice to candidates?

“Keep resumes brief but informative. You want to leave stuff to talk about in an interview. There needs to be balance and a focus on key words.

“Research prior to interviews. You never know what an interviewer’s expectation is, and you can use your recruiter as a research tool. Make sure you have questions.

“If a recruiter calls you about a job, there’s no harm in taking a conversation. If you have reservations, you can make sure you ask whatever questions. That way, there’s no regret or thought about whether or not you should have taken that role.”

Lauren Madden

What are the newer challenges you’re facing after COVID-19 forced so many roles to be remote?

“It’s different now because so much is remote. I have thousands of unread LinkedIn applications because people are applying to things all over the country. It’s impossible for me to get back to everyone. I think the remote workforce has really changed the way we’re recruiting.

“The landscape has opened up so many new opportunities, including opportunities to work with non-local clients. That’s great because there’s just more on the table, but it’s also really challenging from the relationship piece because I like to know my candidates. I like to know my clients and what their pain points are. But if you don’t get to know them or the hiring manager you lose that.”

How are you coping with that?

“I tend to gravitate towards people with whom I have longstanding relationships. When you don’t have face-to-face contact, we have to build trust virtually so I know I can trust them when an assignment comes up.”

What’s your advice to candidates?

“Having relationships with recruiters in multiple markets can be a way to guarantee you’re being considered.”

What makes Creative Circle different?

“We care about our clients and candidates. I know there are other staffing agencies that push resumes around, but we take the time to get to know what people want and need and help solve their problems.”

“Recently, I was working with a candidate who was somewhat newer out of school in front of a job with us and an agency on his own. The job I had was more money, but moving slower. We had a frank conversation that included questions like: What does this job do for you five years from now? What are your bigger career goals?

“I tried to be very neutral because I knew he was anxious about money in the COVID-19 landscape. It turned out the role through us ended up offering $20K more than the other company and was better for his career path. He was so happy with his choice. That’s what I love.”

Brian Pope

Brian is a senior recruiter for the Boston team. He stresses a golden rule with every candidate he meets: “If all else fails, you can reach out and course correct.” To candidates, he stresses that “We’re not doing our job if you’ve been interviewed and onboarded and don’t feel like you’re being looked out for.”

“At our best moments we are consultative with our candidates,” Brian says. “Even if I don’t get you a job, I want to help you.”

And Brian, along with many other CC recruiters, does that by consulting on resumes, portfolios, interview skills, presentation, and everything else that might come up during your job search.

“If we’re not calling folks about opportunities, it’s because we don’t feel like we can place them in a role at this point,” he says. “But, there are a ton of free resources on our website to help them hone their skills.”

Brian understands it can be frustrating to not hear back when you’re applying, because he was once there.

“My first portfolio was a bunch of sheets of paper. I had no idea what was expected. I wouldn’t have called me,” he says. So, sometimes presentation and experience can play a role. “I had to take classes and refine my portfolio,” Brian explained.

There’s always time, and a ton of resources, to get you where you want to be!

Tips and Considerations When Working with Creative Circle

If you’re a candidate working with Creative Circle, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Remember, Creative Circle doesn’t charge candidates a fee. A staffing agency provides a service to clients who pay to outsource their recruiting needs.
• Make sure you read the entirety of the email when you apply to job listings and highlight why you’re a great fit for the position. Often, clients have very specific needs so if they’re asking for specific industry, vertical, or agency experience, make sure to highlight where you have that experience, what pieces in your portfolio are relevant, and why else you’re the right match for the role.
• If you’re getting emails that don’t seem to line up with what you’re looking for, connect with the recruiter that originally emailed you. Maybe there’s something in your file that needs to be updated.
• Remember your recruiter is your advocate, but that doesn’t mean they can submit you for everything and anything under the sun. They want to position you for roles you’ll be successful in.
• If you’re a candidate that hasn’t yet been interviewed by a recruiter within Creative Circle, here’s how you may or may not find that connection.
• Check to make sure you’re submitting your information through the proper channels and in a timely matter. A recruiter may miss your resume if they’re being inundated with responses or it’s not coming through the places they check most. Remember, recruiters are humans, too, and only have so many hours in a day to review resumes.
• If you are, and not hearing back, make sure you’re a good fit for Creative Circle. If most of your experience is in sales, finance, law, healthcare, or another industry that’s out of our core of digital, marketing, and creative, the recruiters reviewing your resume may not think they can help you and don’t want to waste your time.
• Make sure your resume and portfolio properly reflect your experience and what you’re looking for. If you’re a designer, make sure your resume shows off your style. Creatives should absolutely get creative with their resume and refrain from a standard template or a Word document.

About the author. 
Alessandra is the mentor, educator, and writer behind Boneseed, a private practice devoted to deep self-inquiry through a range of physical, energetic, and mental modalities. She has over 500 hours of yoga, mentorship, and facilitation training and can be found slinging knowledge on her website, newsletter, and @bone.seed. 

Fall is in the air and Halloween is right around the corner. Spooky season is upon us, and while ghosts, monsters, and the classic horror movies will keep us shaking in our boots for the rest of the month, one scary thing might top them all: the job search. *Cue lighting striking*

Okay, looking for a job isn’t Shining-level terrifying — although, boy, did that guy take work seriously — but it can certainly be daunting. Here’s the scariest parts of finding a new job and how to overcome them!

Brushing Up the Resume

For many folks, not only is updating the resume a drag, but it can be extremely stressful. After all, how can you possibly summarize all the work you did and the impact you had in three or four bullet points? How can you decide which jobs, of all the ones you’ve worked, to highlight? How do you even create a resume that’s inviting to look at? Does anyone care where you went to college?

One thing to remember about resumes is while they are crucial, they’re not that deep. Resumes aren’t supposed to tell the whole story — they’re supposed to tell the story you really want to tell. That means you may want to tweak your resume to include the most relevant info if you’re applying to different kinds of jobs.

Also don’t be ~afraid to brag on your resume. Did you earn any recognitions at your job? Were you a top earner? Let the people know!

Asking for Recommendations

Reaching out for help in general can be scary and awkward, but asking for a job recommendation is an important and normal part of the process. The hardest thing can come down to timing. Ideally, you want to give the person you are asking for the recommendation from ample time to consider, especially if they’re writing one rather than talking to the hiring manager on the phone. Sending them a summary of your accomplishments is also crucial — make it easy for them! But no matter what, get their permission first before including their contact information on a job application.

The Cover Letter

Cover letters are often thought of as an exercise in futility, but not only do recruiters and hiring managers actually read them, but they really are your first impression. So be sure to know who you’re addressing your letter to (no To Whom It May Concerns, please!), showcase your achievements confidently, and don’t be afraid to be a bit more conversational (don’t write like you’re in a group chat, but take the opportunity to ease the formalities and let your personality show a bit).

Applying and Reaching Out

When you’ve finally come across a job that you think is a good fit, the scariest part is often reaching out. This can take a number of norms: uploading your application to a job posting site, contacting a recruiter, or reaching out directly to the company. Applying for jobs is about developing relationships — after all, these could be people you’ll be working with one day. It helps if you already have a bit of a relationship with who you’re reaching out to; setting up an informational interview or tapping your own network of mutuals to get connected can help you establish a rapport. Be brave, put your best foot forward, and reach out with confidence.

The Interview

So you’ve booked yourself an interview! Congrats! The interview may seem like the scariest part of this process, particularly because the stakes seem higher than before, but like so many other things in life, the less you stress, the easier it is. Interviews are about getting to know each other as people, not as resumes or cover letters, so the most important part is being comfortable in your own skin. Having said that, you absolutely should practice your interview responses. Do your research! Know what you’re talking about! The better prepared you are, the easier it is to let your real self shine through.

The Wait

The most nerve-wracking part of searching for a new job has to be the few days after the interview, when the excitement of knocking that question out of the park has died down and you’re simply waiting for their response. If you’ve already sent a gracious follow-up email to the person you interviewed with, unfortunately, all there is to do is wait and try not to stress too hard. Depending on the job and the company, waiting to hear back can take some time. During the interview, don’t be afraid to ask when you can expect to hear back.

The Negotiation

Getting an offer is an exhilarating feeling — but the battle’s not quite over yet. Ensuring the salary offered suits your qualifications and experience (not to mention your living costs and needs) is crucial at this point. After all, negotiating a higher starting salary is typically more effective than fighting for pay raises as you go. Do your research and understand what the going rate is for someone of your experience. Value yourself, and if their offer isn’t enough, in asking for more, be prepared to point to both industry standards and your own standards. You’ve got this.

Dealing with Rejection

Of course, the fundamental reason the job search process is scary is that you might not land an offer. It’s one thing to want something, and it’s another to really go for it. And yet, you just have to trust that you can handle the outcome, whatever it may be.

Whether you’re working a job you’re not excited about or getting back into the workforce after a while, or even looking to drastically change career paths, realizing it’s time to look for a job can be scary. Maybe you’ve realized that you’re not being valued or paid enough currently. Maybe you’ve got some unexpected bills to pay and need to take on some extra work. Maybe your current job is downsizing and you just want to be prepared. Or maybe it’s just time to move on.

Looking for a new job is all about change, and change is scary. But with some confidence and preparation, it’s a fear that you can absolutely overcome.

About the author

Sam Mani writes about work, creativity, wellness, and equity — when she’s not cooking, binging television, or annoying her cat.

This month will mark 12 years, for me, as a Creative Circle Candidate. I am immensely proud of this benchmark, as it makes me the longest-serving candidate in Creative Circle history. I’ve been sent out as the “wolf” on multiple occasions. I can say that I’ve seen it all when it comes to digital marketing and advertising. Combine this celebratory event with over 40,000 hours as a “search evangelist”, working extensively in SEO, paid search, tracking, analysis, UE/UX, training, and all forms of digital… I have certainly earned my place in the pantheon of digital experts.

I didn’t get here overnight. It took me two decades of dedication and the willingness to do things that others wouldn’t. I had to build my own brand from scratch. Just like you need to do. For those of you just starting out in the world of digital — or even if you have a few years under your belt — I have some tried and true recommendations to help YOU build your personal brand, increase your hourly rates, and cement your future in digital marketing and advertising.

While the majority of this post will focus on internet marketing, these recommendations will apply to all forms of digital, website development, creative copy, design, editing, and backend development.

In the bestselling book “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours or about 10 years to become an expert in your field. That said, there are multiple studies that show time does NOT make you an expert. In fact, many “rookies” preform just as well (and sometimes better) than more seasoned professionals. The 10,000-hour rule is only a benchmark and will vary based on profession and other factors, but this is our starting point.

Build your experience first

Every job posting has a list of requirements. The most challenging for many of us just starting out are the educational requirements. Many require a four-year degree and some are very specific with the degree requirements.

I can tell you this — I’ve never had a single interview that focused on my education. Not even one. In fact, every job offer I’ve received has been earned because I had the experience to deal with and navigate complicated digital challenges.

Clients that are seeking digital professionals want to know what you’ve done for other clients and how you’ve managed to help them succeed. The most important marker of success for any client is what you’ve done in the past and what your experience levels are. Experience will outweigh education every time.

Focus on gaining as much experience as you can. Yes, your degree and education are important, but to a potential employer, the question will be “What have you done for others and what will you do for me?” Those questions can only be answered with your experience in similar situations or professional positions.

Take on the challenge

To gain experience, you must first take on the challenge. Nothing in life comes easy, and the best experiences are the ones that demand our absolute attention and challenge us to be better, stronger, and more resilient. You cannot fear what you do not know.

A position’s requirements may not match up with your exact skillsets or with your experience level. But don’t let this lead you to miss major opportunities that lead to higher payrates and better titles and help lay the groundwork for your future. If you see a job posting that may be just above your perceived level of experience, turn the fear and doubt into a challenge. You can learn as you go, and you can grow because of it. Do not think of failure. Think of the mountain you must climb to reach the top. The view from above will be much more fulfilling and majestic than the view from the ground.

You cannot climb Mount Everest without Sherpas

There are an estimated 305 bodies at rest on Mount Everest, with many acting as guideposts along the treacherous journey to the summit. The job of the Sherpa is to set ropes, act as guides, aid with supplies, carry heavy loads, aid in communications, and much more. To say that it is ill-advised to climb this mountain without experts to guide you is a big understatement. Moreover, Mount Everest isn’t the deadliest of mountains to climb. That moniker goes to Annapurna in Nepal. The point is we all need our Sherpas, while climbing both real mountains and metaphorical ones.

Thus, you must align yourself with a mentor, groups, and individuals who will support you and your goals. Find similar experts in the field and follow them on social media. Read their blogs. Watch their videos and implement and practice what you learn. Sure, it’s not easy to reach out to experts directly, but there are ways to get the help you need without direct contact.

Finally, you must purge those who are not willing to help and support you. They are your anti-Sherpas. If those around you aren’t on your side and don’t have your best interest in mind, they are NOT going to help you on your journey to becoming an expert.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

I am a drummer. I’ve been playing drums for nearly four decades. Am I an expert? No. Not even close. There are too many great drummers that I adore and admire to even consider putting myself in their category. However, does this stop me from playing and rehearsals? No. I continue to rehearse and learn new things (rudiments/beats/best practices) in order to hone my craft.

I may never become Charlie Watts (RIP/Rolling Stones), Britt Turner (Blackberry Smoke), or Bonzo (RIP/Led Zeppelin), but that will never stop me from doing what I love and playing at the best venues I can. If you want to get to Carnegie Hall, you MUST practice, practice, practice.

The same applies for your area of expertise. If you want to become better and achieve expert levels, you MUST get deep into it and never stop becoming your best. Lastly, you must realize that there is always something new to learn. So don’t stop. Keep going. There is always more out there to make you better.

Don’t expect to start at the top

I started my company, Searchology, in the same year I started with Creative Circle. It was 2009 or very late 2008. I already had several years of experience in search engine optimization, paid search, digital marketing, etc. I took every position I could. I really didn’t care about the payrate either.

Why? I knew that every opportunity would provide me with more experience. As such, I could not, logically, expect to get paid the big bucks. We all start somewhere, and we grow from there. Take the lower paid positions because they provide YOU with more experience. Don’t complain about it either. Use it to your advantage. Every challenge and opportunity is a chance for you to build your catalog.

When I started my career (and passion) in digital marketing, I was paid about $35,000 per year plus commission. I started in sales. It was BRUTAL. Nobody knew what Google really was and nobody knew what SERPS or digital marketing was. But, as I grew into my expertise, and as digital marketing blow up, I found myself commanding more and more hourly rates and bigger retainers. I knew starting at the top wasn’t in the cards — but now, the tables have turned.

Choose your industry, not your focus

Become an expert in your industry, NOT in your specific area of expertise. When I started in digital 20 years ago, I made the decision within my first three months that I would learn everything I could about digital. All of it. From SEO to data analysis to strategic planning to user experience. I drank it all in and I started doing the work. I became a trusted expert and consultant because I didn’t pigeonhole myself into one specific area of digital.

Now, I am aware that this is NOT an easy feat. But if you can get to the novice level at multiple skillsets, there is nothing stopping you from becoming an expert at many. Doing so makes you much more valuable to an employer, helps you become indispensable, and will greatly impact your hourly rates. You can become a master of all things if you choose.

This is one of the most assured ways to become more valuable and can take a $45/hour position up to $85/hour in a matter of years.

Protect your brand — perception is reality

Nobody cares about your brand — until you build it. Your personal brand is all you really have when starting out in a new field. It doesn’t matter what you choose to do. If you don’t protect your personal brand, you are doomed to destroy it.

Since the advent of social media and the end of digital privacy, ALL of us are now open to full exposure on social media. If you don’t build your brand on every channel that make sense [think LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook], your data and information are laid bare for all to see.

What people experience is their own individual reality. Many times, that reality isn’t even close to the truth. Why? We all interpret what we see and experience through our own preconceived morals, values, and worldviews. This may sound a little nefarious and deceiving, but YOU ARE WHAT YOU POST.

Thus, if you want someone’s perception of you to change from a novice to an expert, that is what you need to BUILD yourself as. I’m not talking about fake profiles. I’m talking about building yourself as who you want OTHERS to see you as. Take over your profiles and make them as professional as you can. If you can change the perception of how people view you, you will be well on your way to becoming an expert. Now you will have to prove it.

See the light at the end of the journey

Motivation is a funny thing. All of us are motivated by different things. Some, money. Others, titles. You need to write down your personal goals and what the motivation is behind your goals. Create a mantra if you must. Do what must be done to keep your goals in sight. Always. Never lose your train or the tracks to get you there.

When I was an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago, I had a student who was absolutely engaged in every class discussion and earned A’s on every paper and assignment. He realized immediately that he loved search engine marketing. After every class we would walk and discuss search. He, like myself, discovered he had a blazing passion for digital marketing. His focus ended up as search engine optimization.

When he started out, his focus was on his chosen area of expertise, and he never wavered from it. He knew that with hard work, open-mindedness, and absolute dedication to his goals, he would become exactly who he wanted to be. He went from $25 per hour without benefits to $85,000 per year with full benefits and bonuses. Build your personal goals and aspirations. Match them with what motivates you to do so, and it will become a reality.

If you don’t know it, learn it. Then USE it

There is no question that at some point, you will find yourself hitting a wall or a challenge that may seem insurmountable. The internet is now the biggest library in the history of mankind. To meet any digital marketing challenge, do your research. Learn and read all available reports, case studies, books, and related material you can get your hands on.

Once you’ve done that, you must act. Learning without practical application is like learning how to fly a military jet without ever stepping in the cockpit. You must practice what you preach and have the ability to implement. It is a double-edged sword to be sure, and you will make mistakes. And you may get yourself into some ugly situations at times. But here is the payoff.

Once you’ve become adept at learning and practical application of what you’ve learned, you are on the path to becoming an expert. Like most professions, digital marketing requires the ability for critical thinking, never-ending thirst for knowledge, and the ability to apply what you know. If you want to know how to get to six figures in digital, this is how I did it.

Experts rely on experts and vertical exposure

I’ve long said that the smartest person in any room is the one who knows what they know and knows what they don’t know. There is a type of humility that comes with any level of expertise. Or at least, that is how it should be. We must accept our own limitations and our own internal restrictions. The best working conditions are ones where experts work together to solve challenges and problems. Each are respected in their own filed and each work together for the common good.

Think in terms of industries you’ve already worked in or want to work in. If you need a massive boost in your area of expertise, work with as many business verticals as possible. It builds your knowledge base and your ability to adapt and improves your understanding of complicated business models.

As you do this, you will run into doctors, lawyers, scientists, and folks with multiple degrees in their field. Do NOT be afraid or intimidated by this. Learn how to work with these experts and apply your own expertise to build something you can be proud of. Ask questions, dig deeper, and learn how to become self-reliant and (to some extent) dependent on others in their respective fields.

The outcome is a well-oiled machine that hits targets, goals, and client expectations. Mutual respect and admiration go much further than you think and can be a major asset in helping you attain the experience level you wish to desire.

Bonus and Closing

I’ve laid out a few ways to help you achieve the experience and expertise levels you may want to attain in your professional career. There are hundreds more and honestly, it comes down to you and those willing to help you realize your dreams. And yes, dreams can become reality if you WILL them into existence.

Everything that I’ve laid out is meaningless if you are not willing to take responsibility and be accountable for your actions. This may seem like a foregone conclusion, but the reality is that many are not willing to do the right thing. Many are willing to pass the buck and throw someone else to the sharks to save their own skin. You cannot become an expert at anything if you aren’t willing to take the risk and accept responsibility. IT IS YOUR JOB to do exactly this.

By accepting responsibility and being open to accountability, you are immediately putting yourself at risk, but you are also standing above the crowd. Employers and clients don’t just need your expertise — they need you to stand up when called upon.

Lastly, I’ve dedicated 12 years of my life to Creative Circle and our clients because I have the support and insight from our internal teams and executive staff. Without them, I would not have had the opportunities, clients, and exposure that gave me the ability to be where I am today. I share this with you because I am holding myself accountable for this article, in part. I’ve climbed many a mountaintop with my colleagues at Creative Circle, and you can do the same.

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About the author

Alton started in the digital marketing and advertising industry during the later years of Velocity Magazine. By the early 2000s, he was entranced by “the search” and has remained a steadfast search evangelist. Alton has worked for hundreds of clients, from SMBs to Fortune 500 companies.  

In past years, Alton was an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago, regional trainer for Imparture [teaching SEO, Digital Marketing, and Google Analytics], and has remained in digital marketing and advertising for over 20 years.  

Alton is the owner and founder of Searchology, Inc., a Chicago digital marketing company, and Creative Circle’s longest serving candidate with 12 consecutive years. His passions include music, drumming, family, science, literature, and all things search. 

The hiring blitz is on! Requisitions are streaming in, especially for a select roster of roles. Demand is booming for candidates with highly desirable skills and experience in these specialties. Let’s take a sneak peek behind the scenes at Creative Circle to see what clients have been seeking over the last several months.

As you go through this list, you may be wondering: Does Creative Circle work in these fields? Yes! The firm serves clients that require digital- and marketing- oriented talent and has a deep pool of candidates with just the right expertise to fill those much-needed spots stat. And it welcomes more — more company clients and more job seekers — to come onboard.

Here are eight of the roles rising in demand over the past few months:

Project Manager

In the classic TV series “Mission Impossible,” Mr. Phelps handpicked and directed a team of secret agents. He served as the captain, the main touchpoint, and chief troubleshooter. Minus the daredevil feats, a project manager does the same. This leader controls the mission at hand, converting the potentially impossible into the feasible and successful.

Proactive and positive, a project manager maintains a can-do pose. Clear-sighted and well organized, this person oversees the flow of work from cradle to grave and ensures the project adheres to the assigned budget and timeframe. Calling upon a mix of hard and soft skills, this leader requires acumen in dealing with commercial and people issues.

As the pace of economic activity continues to rise, so does the need for this job. “Project management has always been an important function in business, and it’s only getting more important as time goes by,” reads a blog post from Northeastern University.

A snapshot of functions:

• Manage interdisciplinary teams of participants, e.g., brand managers, designers, copywriters.
• Evolve concepts into clear sets of deliverables in conjunction with stakeholders, budget, and time parameters.
• Keep workflow on track by using industry software tools and task lists; track and resolve issues and conflicts; lead meetings; prepare and circulate status reports and notes.
• Allocate resources, as needed, in coordination with producers in prioritizing projects.
• Oversee each phase of approval process, including concepts, layouts, and finals.

Social Media & Content Marketing Managers

Hot off the press! In June 2021, “digital marketing and social media jobs are trending on LinkedIn.” In this post on “Marketing’s Evolution: A Look at the Jobs and Training Skills in Highest Demand,” social media appears twice. It’s in the top three for the fastest growing occupations. And it’s in the same position for the most in-demand. In short, social media marketing ranks as “essential.” Content marketing sits in the number two slot among the fastest-growing skills.

Social media managers are whizzes on the online platforms of our lives. They develop marketing plans and programs for these channels for brands and products, including the needed promotional support. Their objective: grow market share.

Content marketing managers bridge the worlds of marketing and messaging. They develop “shareable” content and make the best use of it by distributing it effectively; then they measure and optimize the results. Their objective: enhance web traffic and build brand awareness. For more, see “Life as a Content Marketing Manager: 6 Skills to Have and Job Outlook.” Spoiler: the “market is wide open, and opportunities are out there for the taking” for content marketers.

These roles typically:

• Plan/lead social and content strategy, roadmaps, and content calendars; oversee/compose messaging; manage day-to-day content creation, editing, promotion, and report on results.
• Spearhead brand events/campaigns on social and firm channels — concepts, creative executions.
• Secure influencer participation while delivering results for marketing initiatives.
• Grow social followers for assigned categories on a range of relevant platforms.
• Curate content assets from sources, e.g., paid media campaigns, in-house creative.

Search Engine Marketer

Demand for search engine marketing (SEM) is not just big, it’s huge. Think about it. Where do you go for information about products, services, most anything? The internet. For organizations, the worldwide web is their oxygen. It’s their public-facing platform for conducting business. But with so many entities competing for prime space, grabbing a search engine’s attention is a make-or-break proposition. This is where SEM comes in. Specialists use search engine optimization (SEO) as a prime tool to move assets to the front of the pack. Where would you rather be? On page 15 of a Google search or the first? Search engine marketers are masters of visibility. That translates into brand recognition and potentially sales.

All told, SEM is on a growth spurt. Demand for talent is outpacing supply. As a baseline, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need “for advertising and marketing managers is expected to grow by 10 percent by 2030.” Career Karma suggests “the job outlook for SEO experts may be higher [than advertising and marketing], as roles in digital marketing continue to become more common.”

SEM marketers typically:

• Create, implement, track, analyze, and optimize paid search campaigns on various search engines (e.g., Google AdWords and Bing) and bid management platforms.
• Develop and employ successful bidding strategies and effective keyword management to achieve target acquisition and efficiency metrics.
• Generate performance reports; recognize and troubleshoot data anomalies.
• Develop test design roadmaps, planning initiatives, and business opportunities.
• Communicate key metrics, goal attainment, and optimization possibilities and forecasts.

Paid Search Marketing Professional

Businesses rely on two masters of the search function. The search engine marketer (see above) uses search engine optimization (SEO) to enhance a company’s results and rankings. The other, the paid search specialist, works in the realm of pay-per-click (PPC) marketing. This is where dollars drive decisions and results follow. This marketing resource is research-oriented, analytical, and has sharp judgment. He/she also has the ability to pivot quickly to shift strategy and tactics to derive the best outcomes.

Demand in the marketplace is super strong. “Marketing by the Numbers: A Day in the Life of a Paid Search Specialist” notes that there were about 3,000 positions open for this specialty in the U.S. in March 2021. Another post on “5 great reasons to work in PPC” promotes the advantages of working in this space. This role is data-packed, with lots to analyze and address how best to use. It’s also high-visibility, high-impact,. Add high in the number of functions too; this job may entail ecommerce management, strategic planning, lead generation, and perhaps even copywriting.

A paid search marketer is tasked to:

• Develop and execute paid search campaigns, e.g., Google and Facebook Ads.
• Handle daily campaigns; track, manage, and optimize goals and return on ad spend.
• Report on data and results; advise on best practices for paid search initiatives.
• Create and implement testing across campaigns and work with third-party vendors.
• Manage placement of campaign assets on websites and landing pages.

Email Marketing Manager

The global email marketing market is forecast to explode. It should more than double by 2027 to reach $17.9 billion (that’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.3%).

There are many reasons why. For businesses, email is a powerful tool. According to Tech Crunch, it has “the highest return on investment of any other marketing channel, earning users $40 for every $1 spent!

To produce these results, the strategy must be right on and the messages compelling. Email recipients need to be motivated to open these items, give the content more than a quick glance, and digest the information. The ideas conveyed should include a clear call to action and winning proposition. Repetition comes into play here through staged email campaigns.

Welcome to the world of an email marketing manager. This pro is a strategic thinker and tactical doer. He or she has a firm grasp of marketing automation software, optimization best practices, key performance indicators (KPIs) and multivariate testing, and possesses strong communication skills.

An email marketing manager will:

• Liaise with key stakeholders to create and execute campaigns for lead generation.
• Develop and review strategy and content with requesters for engagement streams.
• Direct daily email operations, design and build email nurture streams, and launch calendars.
• Handle database segmentation, system testing, and A/B test emails.
• Create/manage distribution lists to enable consistent and cohesive messaging and to optimize inventory
• Develop and maintain KPI reporting to monitor and improve performance of the channel

Ecommerce Specialist

Those in this role are part of a “booming industry” with an outsized global outlook. For more than a decade, the ecommerce sector has experienced double-digit growth year over year. These gains reflect an uptick in the value of sales, which reached $3.535 trillion in 2019. As COVID-19 took root and lockdowns occurred throughout the world, ecommerce thrived. This mode of purchasing is likely to continue beyond the pandemic for years to come.

A member of the marketing team, the ecommerce specialist keeps a steady eye on the online space. What are the trends? What works, what doesn’t, and why? This professional uses these insights to plot the paths for new products and promotions to dovetail with consumer wants and needs. As such, this resource may help develop, manage and maintain a company’s online store as well as review business analytics to devise marketing strategies to meet performance goals. The specialist must use product management information software and content management systems and possess a keen understanding of how content and messaging guide performance-driven marketing and brand.

Representative responsibilities:

• Oversee new product launches and corresponding marketing/merchandising initiatives.
• Monitor site changes, make recommendations to curate assortment, update variations, and use content/site experience to drive sales.
• Own ecommerce content including descriptions, bullets, and images.
• Address internal marketing and sales requests for digital assets.
• Manage changes and improvements to products’ webpages.

Marketing Automation Manager

Marketing automation is a hot trend with a broad horizon. Businesses the world over are turning to software to power their marketing workflows. Repetitive tasks are prime targets; email marketing and social media postings head the list. Reasons are aplenty for companies to go this route. Not only do they gain efficiencies, but they also create opportunities to engage more closely with their constituencies. The software they use keys messages to customers, which creates a more personalized experience.

The expert at the hub of this is the marketing automation manager.

Demand for marketing automation is rapidly rising. In 2021, “more than 51% of companies are using” it. “The position of marketing automation manager and specialist is sought after as the martech industry continues to grow exponentially,” says Toolbox.

Those who work in this capacity are at the crossroads of technology and marketing. They have deep knowledge of and hands-on experience in the applicable software. They also have the wherewithal to apply it to a range of activities; these include lead generation, measurement metrics, and marketing campaigns. To do all of this effectively, they also understand the creative aspects of ideation and messaging.

It’s incumbent on this professional to:

• Work with stakeholders to develop and optimize marketing campaign strategy/tactics.
• Create and apply marketing campaign assets in partnership with team members.
• Synthesize data and reporting to enhance digital and content marketing strategy.
• Strategize and assess marketing automation process improvements.

PR/Media/Communications Professionals

Get the word out about a company, brand, product, and service. Strengthen awareness, reputation, perception, and eminence. These are the objectives of those in public relations (PR), media, and communications. And these career paths are pointing upward, especially on the front end of this grouping. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth in employment for PR specialists at a rate of 7% from 2019 to 2029. That’s “faster than the average for all occupations.” Why? “The need for organizations to maintain their public image will continue to drive employment growth.”

Those in the media and communications space also are on a positive track. Career prospects, although not as buoyant as PR, are nonetheless on the upswing. The same government source weighs in on this issue. “Employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow 4%” over the same time period. This rate is “about as fast as the average for all occupations and will result in about 46,200 new jobs.” What are the factors at play here? Demand “is expected to arise from the need to create, edit, translate, and disseminate information through of variety of different platforms.”

PR/media/communications pros attend to the following:

• Develop and implement PR strategies to support company/brand goals and initiatives.
• Guide PR agency, if used, or research, write, and distribute communications to targeted media.
• Pitch national, regional, and local media across broadcast, print, and online channels.
• Conduct media outreach to network with key contacts; build and strengthen relationships.
• Source topics to talk about publicly; monitor media channels for placement opportunities.
• Create wide-ranging content on behalf of organization, e.g., media releases, blog posts.
• Monitor daily media; facilitate media queries; arrange media briefings; support events.

Company and Candidate Alert!

Keep in mind that positions in these fields are flexible in their staffing arrangements. They may be freelance, or they can be freelance-to-permanent, temporary, or permanent. Check out options, tips, and cases in point in “Formula for Two-Way Hiring Success: Try Before You Buy!” And one parting thought: best of luck to employers and job seekers in these high-demand fields and all others.

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About the author
You name it, she covers it. That’s the can-do attitude Sherry M. Adler brings to the craft of writing. A polished marketing and communications professional, she has a passion for learning and the world at large. She uses it plus the power of words to inform and energize stakeholders of all kinds. And to show how all of this can make a difference, she calls her business WriteResults NY, LLC.