Interim marketing jobs
Interim marketing jobs can appeal to many senior marketing professionals who relish the freedom that this approach brings.
The public and private sectors provide a rich source of interim marketing jobs in a wide range of areas, including PR and communications, product branding and heading up a marketing function.
“Working as an interim is a good opportunity to try something different and build your portfolio of experience. Go into it with an open mind and above all set out to impress from the outset,” advises Paul Butler, Marketing Manager for Hays Construction & Property.
Weighing up the pros and cons of interim marketing jobs
However, there are some questions worth asking:
- Have I thought through the implications of not being permanently employed?
- Is my CV of a sufficiently high standard?
- How in-depth is my understanding of what an interim job involves?
- How flexible am I prepared to be, vis-à-vis location and sector?
Strategic and commercial acumen are important attributes for anyone considering to work as an interim, team-leading skills will be tested while driving change and the implementation of new processes are staple requirements.
Seek an established specialist marketing presence
If you decide on enlisting the services recruitment consultancies, only register with those that have an established presence in the marketing sector.
The relationship with your dedicated recruitment consultant will be key, as the latter tends to be in the know about roles before they are advertised to the wider markteting jobs market.
Keep in touch with your recruitment consultant and let him or her know how things are progressing and always plan in advance to allow plenty of time to secure your next contract.
Be flexible and work your contacts
Both in terms of location and availability for interview, flexibility is important in order to remain competitive. A consistent stream of interim marketing jobs is the way to increase your earning potential; being invited back, for example, is one way of developing your contacts base.
If you find work through a direct contact, stay in. Take an active interest in the results of your efforts and provide aftercare as this will result in more referrals and repeat business.
Other ways to secure a steady stream of marketing interim jobs is to target leads from advertised permanent jobs. Use your contacts and network to unearth ‘hidden’ possibilities.
Don’t forget to ask for references after each assignment and keep these with your portfolio of project work – this will make you stand out from the competition.
Permanent marketing jobs
Working as an interim does not bring the security of a permanent job in marketing. Bear in mind that levels of payment will also fluctuate. Indeed, interim work can be daunting especially during turbulent periods of recession when you need to be financially solvent.
“Working in an interim capacity can also be your springboard to landing a more permanent role. You are ‘in situ’ and have the opportunity to gauge the situation and assess your chances of securing something more permanent,” continues Paul Butler.
As a permanent employee you will have far greater access to training and your employer will engage in your development to enable you to add value to their team.
As long as you have thought things through and realise the pitfalls, working in an interim capacity can be highly rewarding and open you up to different sectors and the experience gained hold you in good stead. Also, this is an excellent way of securing a permanent job in marketing.
