Prove to them that you deserve the job

At Cambridge Professional Academy we are hearing more and more frequently from people who are concerned about their career progression and their attractiveness to potential employers, particularly those who have recently been made redundant or have moved to the UK from abroad. Many are struggling to get even an interview for jobs that only a few years would not have been a problem. This is because despite the fact that they have years of relevant marketing experience and have been involved in a particular or even many aspects of marketing they don’t have the all important qualification, whether it is an academic one such as a degree or the more practical type such as the CIM and ISMM professional qualifications.

Not surprisingly, since the economic downturn we have seen an increase in the number of people contacting us who are in this unfortunate situation. As you would expect, as the number of people being made redundant increases, the level of competition for jobs rises and employers take the opportunity to cherry pick the best candidates for their vacancies. I am sure many would agree that it is essential to market yourself properly, and part of this is to be able to assess yourself and identify the areas of weakness and address them appropriately.

I know from personal experience as I have progressed my career and applied for more senior roles that the job description in addition to preferring a related degree and experience often requests an additional professional qualifications. This shows that not only does it give you an opportunity to stand out from the crowd; employers recognise them as a symbol of your dedication to ongoing development and improvement.

I know that it is a big commitment both financially and time wise – but I for one, am certainly convinced that it is well worth the effort.