Why I talked someone out of working for Marketing Eye
Today I met with a remarkable, young woman who has the world at her feet. She is intelligent, well-spoken and might I add, well-presented... not that that means too much, but what I am alluding to is that she has the full package.
We have three positions in Sydney that we need filled before mid-August. They are instrumental in our business going to the next level as both a marketing and technology company. We are looking for people who bring different skills to the table and can work collaboratively together to acheive their own goals and that of the company's.
Early stages of career
What struck me about this young woman as she began to speak is that she is in a predicament that many others who are facing the early stages of their career seem to face. Only a year in, and already onto her second role, she is dillusioned with the leadership of the organisation, and the responsibilities that are put on her shoulders and that of her colleagues. She works for a well-respected brand, yet there is a sentiment of unhappiness amongsts employees in her team, with many of them looking for other jobs.
For all intents and purposes, she has the skills to do the job we are seeking in a person on our team, but listening to her speak, I realised something very important. She has not finished what she started out to accomplish in the role she is in, and has a lot of potential for growth and development, only if she put this in her own hands and takes the lead. In fact, if she does that, she won't come to our company in the future as a Marketing Executive, but as a Senior Marketing Executive, catapulting her position and salary accordingly. Right now, she hasn't proven to herself or to others reading her CV that she can stick through the hard times and the challenges that lay in front of her, and turn them around.
Fighting a losing battle
Sometimes people feel as though they are fighting a losing battle, when in fact it is just another obstacle or challenge that the world is throwing at them, and it is how they handle that challenge that will really make them. It will take them to another level.
If nothing changes, nothing changes. If you keep choosing the same environments, you won't get another result. If you keep making decisions to leave when the going gets tough, likewise. When we are recruiting people, we have to look past their current situation and look into what they want to get out of life and what they are prepared to do to get there. No-one ever became successful without hard work or challenges.
Littered resumes are the norm
Resumes these days are littered with jobs; 8 months here, 6 months there. Of course if you are in marketing, you have probably put that you were "freelancing" or "owned your own marketing firm", but in fact, you were probably looking for work, taking up job offers and leaving them when the going gets tough. Perhaps you didn't like your colleagues or maybe it was your boss. There are going to be people you don't like in life, and they are going to probably make the most positive impact on your life. They will teach you how to work with people or to deal with people you don't like in a respectful manner, and in a way that gets the most out of both parties. If you can conquer this, you can conquer anything.
Life is full of lessons. Don't think that you cannot learn more from where you are at. You can. In marketing, you can always improve at every aspect of the marketing mix. There is always something to learn and courses to take. There are also so many accreditations to teach you new skills and if you find the time, learn psychology and cold reading. These two skills will put you streets ahead of the rest.
Be extraordinary
Don't be ordinary. Be extraordinary in everything you do. Don't have a littered CV when you are more than that. You have an ability to learn everything you need to know about your job, and that takes time. You can not only learn it, but grow it and in turn grow yourself. Learn how to get the most out of leadership and your colleagues. Interview leaders in your company (even the one's you don't like) and ask them some basic questions: How did you start out, what drove you to be where you are, what challenges did you overcome and how did you overcome them, what is the highlight of your career to date?
Know that your career is a long distance race. You don't have to get there tomorrow. Face the challenges you have in your job and show the world that you can tackle whatever is in front of you with a sound mind, grace and a greater purpose of using these challenges to take you to where you really want to be.
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comments ( 10 )
Ashlee
20 Jul 2018I completely agree that every aspect of our job and careers can teach us something. I also agree that success does not come without failing and some challenges. This is a great article!
ReplyTom D
09 Jul 2018Again a well-written, well-thought-out post on the pros and cons of success. A few point sticks out to me, which affirm and challenge my current thoughts on the matter. The level of loneliness experienced during and after a successful entrepreneurship was higher than I anticipated. It’s palpable, the negative effects upon an individuals’ psyche, developing a thick skin is vital in the cut-throat capitalist society we live in. I agree with the final reveal that balancing work-life is the most important aspect to overcoming the aforementioned issues. Whether that be a social life or an active lifestyle, each successful has a vice to which they can rely on to get them through the challenges of success.
ReplyMegan
09 Jul 2018The tough thing about starting a new career is the struggle to prove yourself. I believe that it's all well and good to talk her out of taking the job if she isn't mentally prepared, but the real issue she will face is actually taking what you've said on board. It's always easy to listen to advice but actually hearing it is a different story.
ReplyMegan
09 Jul 2018The tough thing about starting a new career is the struggle to prove yourself. I believe that it's all well and good to talk her out of taking the job if she isn't mentally prepared, but the real issue she will face is actually taking what you've said on board. It's always easy to listen to advice but actually hearing it is a different story.
ReplyTahlia
09 Jul 2018Yes, I agree, the current generation wants the best jobs and is up high now. They don't want to start at the bottom but everyone needs to learn and work their way up understanding their own strengths and weakness which may involve falls before becoming successful.
ReplyThomas
06 Jul 2018I agree with this article and would add that mindful thinking is an effective excercise. It will help to create a clear picture of why you are doing what you are doing and will help you to build the motivation to rise above the challenges.
ReplyMinh Nguyen
06 Jul 2018I really impressed by "Fighting a losing battle". If we don't dare ourselves, we will never have better gains. Even we might not win that fight, at least, we find out our bravery to express our critical thinking, then we grow up with the lessons of life.
ReplyRachel
05 Jul 2018Marketing is a fast-moving business in the business industry, tasks are difficult and need up-to-date sense, learning is needed to make improvement on every aspect and new marketing ideas. It is not easy to hire a suitable person that have skills to match with company’s progress. Even though when I was writing a resume, there must be some trade off on what to write. Some people may have lots of experiences, but all of them are littered and that need changes. Every job has its own meaning and try to find out how the job brings changes to you and career growth.
ReplyPhi Le
05 Jul 2018It is true that current generation wants to get quick success without getting hand dirty. I believe that success only comes with positive attitude and dedication. However, there is one point I hope you can clarify. How do you distinguish between an obstacle and a losing battle? I am looking forward to your response, Mellisa.
ReplyKat
03 Jul 2018There is no easy job or an easy role in this industry. If you want to be successful you really have to fall at some point to see your faults and then you can see a way improvement in order to rise again
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