A recent post in the Ask the Recruiter group asks for advice on why it might be that their applications to marketing jobs are being ignored. The main protagonists of the discussion happen to be foreigners residing in the UK. Here’s my response to the question.

Firstly, I am sorry to learn that you are experiencing such negative reactions to your obvious endeavours to find a marketing job in the UK. Whilst it would appear we are laying grounds for a revival, clearly there are still an awful lot of skilled professionals seeking that elusive position, with most advertised vacancies continuing to be heavily over-subscribed. 

Whilst I sympathise with your respective plights I do not think you are sharing a balanced perspective of the UK jobs market. It is really no better or worse-off than other European nations and is it really fair to compare it (or any other country, for that matter!) to the US, where the shear proportion of jobseekers and workers, combined with a completely different demographic, means figures, processes and statutes are entirely different. 

However, the main concern you all appear to have concerns the treatment you are receiving from the recruitment agencies. And this of course is a matter of conjecture, especially in a group designed to engage jobseekers like you with the very people you are currently bemoaning. To this end I hope recruiters will contribute to this thread.

In the meantime, here is my take on why you are currently struggling to find a suitable marketing job:

Over-population

The UK is densely populated by foreign workers/jobseekers. Most provide the companies they work for with excellent skills and, often, these far outweigh those afforded by home-grown nationals. However, marketing is not an industry in need of more resource. Or even better resource, for that matter. It just needs there to be more jobs. 

Communication is King

As you know communication makes up a huge part of any marketer’s DNA. The ability to seamlessly converse with peers, management, stakeholders, suppliers etc is essential. If a hiring company (or a 3^rd party acting on its behalf) believes this element of an application is missing, they will look at other prospects. This isn’t a UK-centric issue. This is the way of the world. 

Don’t shoot the messenger

Recruitment agencies are having a hard time of it at the moment. Not only has the number of vacancies receded (and so their fees) but because, conversely, the volume of applications and, therefore, chase-ups has increased the role has become an administrative and logistical headache. Remember, these guys act on behalf of their clients so by criticising them you may be shooting the messenger. That said, there are some bad agencies out there who simply do not work hard enough and these should be avoided in any circumstance. 

Is smaller better?

Avoiding the ‘big brands’ simply means closing the door on opportunity. Most marketers want to work for recognised brands so this is the reason vacancies are quickly swamped with applications. But, you’ve got to be in it to win it. Often, smaller companies have stricter hiring policies and a greater skills ‘wish list’. Of course, the greater the number of obstacles the less chance of making it to the end. 

Sort out your CV

How good is your CV? Most applications don’t make it past the recruiter/hiring manager because the skills don’t tick the relevant boxes. You can be the best marketing brain in Britain but if you can’t translate in your personal ‘sales document’ you will not get very far. Again, this is not intrinsic of the UK. 

Making sure people like you

What does ‘brand you’ tell the world? Are you portraying yourself as a thought-leader, an inspirer, someone who can take an organisation forward? Or are you leaving people with the impression that you’re run-of-the-mill and possibly not worth investing the time and money in? Have a look at this Are people buying you?article if you think you might be selling yourself short:  

There you have it, in a nutshell. Obviously each point is an article in itself but I think it covers the gist.

Simon Lewis | Editor | Only Marketing Jobs

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