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The number of advertised UK marketing jobs has picked up in recent weeks.

 

With many of the industry’s leading experts predicting that we will see resurgence as early as Q110, is the optimism justified or should we continue to tread with caution?

“We’ve seen a huge increase in new briefs in the last two-three months, and there seems no sign of it letting off,” comments Charlie Jackson, sales director at marketing recruitment specialists, Jackson Rose. And Barry Furby, director of multi-channel recruiter, Fresh Resources, agrees: “The last three months have been the busiest for eighteen months,” he said.

But with recent news suggesting the Government were rather presumptuous in their parliamentary prognosis that Europe was on the road to recovery, are we in the midst of some profound piffle or has the marketing industry really stolen a march in getting back to work?

A wealth of riches

No doubt we remain in challenging times. There are still too many applications per vacancy and those clients who are recruiting continue to seek the ‘magic lamp’ from what they perceive to be an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of options; prepared to wait for the ideal candidate, rather than accepting any period of transition. And this is proving to be enormously frustrating.

Kate Ravenscroft at the Genesis Appeal has been looking for a marketing management role for more than twelve months. She agrees there are more jobs being advertised now but believes genuinely transferable skills are being overlooked: “Recruiters are able to be totally arbitrary when culling before shortlist, meaning that flexible all-round experienced general marketers don’t get a look in.” Kate believes this attitude might start to change by the beginning of Q210.

Transferable skills aren’t enough

Michele Jones, a marketing manager from Bradford is not convinced it is all good news. She emphasises with those who believe employers only want to see applications from candidates with relevant industry sector experience. “Even though I have a wealth of transferable skills I am not getting in front of employers”, she says. “And I know this is annoying the recruiters, too”. Furthermore, and “having seen it before”, Michele believes this time of year means the number of vacancies will recede.

However, Daniel Shaw, principle consultant at executive search & selection firm, PSD Group, is more upbeat: “Traditionally the final quarter of the year is the strongest”, he says “and if September is a good barometer, we are [moving] in the right direction”. Whilst believing the jobs market has picked up Daniel does think some disciplines will take longer to recover. “Employers are hedging their bets and lower salary, lower risk hires: areas such as account management, CRM and [business development], for example. Events, branding and PR are still struggling”

Helping you prepare for 2010

So whilst the number of advertised marketing jobs appears to have increased in recent months there are factors to consider:

• Some marketing disciplines are more buoyant than others. It may take a while for communications, for example, to stage a comeback;
• As far as you can target your applications within the sectors you have most experience in. You are far more likely to receive interest from employers;
• Register with recruitment agencies with whom you have a symbiotic relationship. Remember they have felt the pinch this year, too. As job levels increase you need to ensure your representatives understand your requirements;Be flexible. It may not be necessary to reduce your salary if you are prepared to commute further than you would like or undertake a role you might not otherwise consider;
• Seek out the contract/temporary roles beginning to emerge. These can offer great experiences without tying you into a role you are not 100% keen on;
• Stay focused and upbeat. The market is changing. Remember that ultimately people buy people. When you’re given the chance, seize it with zest and positivity.

The demand for marketing personnel is increasing. Recruiters are beginning to pick up new roles from their clients. Employers are looking to get ahead of their competition.

Now is the time to get smart, get focused, get motivated. Christmas is coming and the goose is getting is getting fat…

 

Simon Lewis | Editor | Only Marketing Jobs

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