Take the Leap: Tips for Being the “New Kid” at a Marketing Firm

At 41, with a stable career at a non-profit that I was both very comfortable and good at, I decided to take the leap and shake it all up. One random night, while mindlessly scrolling through social media, I stumbled upon a job posting for a company I had absolutely been fangirling over since its inception. As a single mom with two small kids, I made the ballsy decision to challenge myself and applied. 

Spoiler alert: I got the job. 

Starting a new job is both exciting and intimidating, but to make the leap from a non-profit to a career in the marketing field was a new level of unknown. Whether you’re fresh out of college or transitioning – like myself – into a new industry, joining a marketing firm can be a challenging experience. 

I know I’m not alone out there, and I’m here to help! If you’re fresh out of college or shaking things up don’t be nervous! Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way that can help you succeed in your new role. 

Understand the Industry

Before you start working, it’s important to have a strong understanding of the marketing industry. Marketing is a constantly evolving field that requires a range of skills, from creative thinking to data analysis. Familiarize yourself with the different marketing channels and the various techniques used to reach a target audience. Learn about the different types of clients that the firm works with and how the company operates. Check out our services page to familiarize yourself with what we offer!

Understanding the industry will help you better understand your role within the company and how you can contribute to its success. In this case, there is no such thing as too much information. Soak it ALL in. Ask questions. Be open to learning while giving yourself grace in the process. Rome wasn’t built in a day and learning a new skill, industry, and work culture will take time.

Get to Know Your Team

Building relationships with your colleagues is key to success in any workplace. When you start a new job, it’s important to introduce yourself to your team members and learn about their roles and responsibilities. Take time to get to know your coworkers on a personal level, too. This will help you build trust and respect, which are critical for effective teamwork. If possible, try to join team activities even if you work remotely, such as:

• Happy Hours
• Team Building Events
• Connect with those that live nearby for a quick coffee or lunch

Rachael, our wonderful finance manager and author of Financial Forecasting: The Future is Bright, did just that for me during my first week at WeCreate. Upon asking her: 

“Is this place and this team as amazing as they seem?”

She replied, “Yes, yes they are.” Being able to ask those candid questions is crucial in understanding the culture. In-person meet-ups will help you become more comfortable and feel more a part of the team. Asking for short one-on-one virtual meetings with team members that are far from you, with the sole purpose of introducing yourself and getting to know them, is a good way to feel less awkward on the team video calls. Additionally, it allows you to open up those lines of communication, which will essentially make you a more productive member of the team.

Learn from Your Colleagues

As a new employee in a new industry, you’ll likely have a lot to learn. I know I did. Take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of your colleagues. In a full-service agency, the team is filled with a variety of experts, each having a niche set of skills. Ask questions and seek guidance when you need it. Make sure to listen carefully to feedback and use it to improve your work. 

Here at WeCreate, we believe feedback is a gift. 

Take it as that and strive for a better version of yourself to grow personally and professionally. Consider seeking mentorship from a senior colleague who can provide valuable insight into the industry and offer guidance on your career path. Don’t be afraid to cross-team “lines”. You can learn a lot about the company as a whole by reaching out to team members outside your department, and at a marketing firm, there’s plenty to choose from! This will also help you feel more a part of the bigger picture and give you greater insight into the company and how it operates. 

Having a colleague to speak frankly to can help immensely in feeling more aware and having a better understanding of your work. Brittany, WeCreate Project Manager extraordinaire, was that person for me and she got a ton of my “silly” questions and answered them clearly, honestly, and without judgment. 

Manage Your Time Effectively

Marketing firms can be fast-paced environments, and you’ll likely be working on multiple projects at once. Effective time management is essential to stay on top of your workload and meet deadlines. Prioritize your tasks and create a schedule to help you manage your time efficiently. Make sure to communicate with your colleagues and managers if you’re struggling with your workload. They may be able to provide additional support or help you prioritize tasks. This is also where a mentor or manager can help with sorting out priorities and getting you back on track if you feel like you’ve veered off or just don’t know where to go next. 

When I first started here at WeCreate, we were just about to implement an entirely new project management software company-wide, and I was given the direction to become the “expert”. Here, I was able to learn how to manage my time more efficiently with the new software and also look across departments to see how it could help others, as well. I was able to help launch and assist in transitioning the company to this new system. Having an effective project management program is important in the field, but knowing HOW to use it is VITAL. In this way, I was able to really contribute early on and learn a new tool to help keep me on track.

That project management software is ClickUp and it can do so much for everyone.

Embrace Change

The marketing industry is constantly evolving, and new technologies and techniques are constantly emerging. The new project management tool mentioned above is a great example of that. Be open to change and willing to adapt to new strategies and technologies. Jump enthusiastically on board and emerge yourself in learning the new skill, software, or client. Embrace new challenges and opportunities to learn and grow. 

If you’re struggling with a new technology or technique, ask for help. Your colleagues will likely be happy to assist you and share their knowledge. Being adaptable in the marketing industry is essential to your success. I find this applies to all areas of my life, especially with two small kids, and is a very useful skill I get to hone here at WeCreate.

Stay Up-to-Date

Staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the marketing industry is critical to success. Subscribe to industry newsletters and blogs to stay informed on the latest news and best practices. The Content Strategist is one of my favorites, but there are so many to choose from. Find one that speaks to you. Attend conferences and networking events to connect with other professionals in the industry and learn from their experiences. Make sure to take advantage of any training opportunities offered by your company to develop your skills. 

Here at WeCreate, many articles and information regarding what is new in the industry is communicated in a team-wide chat. Find something new? Share it with the team. Learning about new developments and information in the marketing industry makes us strong individually, but most importantly as a team – which in turn helps our clients.

So Go On – Take the Leap!

Starting a new job at a marketing firm can be a challenging experience, but with the right attitude and approach, you can set yourself up for success. Understand the industry, build relationships with your colleagues, learn from others, manage your time effectively, embrace change, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments. 

By following these tips, you can establish yourself as a valuable member of the team and achieve your long-term career goals. If this middle-aged mom of two can do it, so can you!

Interested in taking your own leap? Work with us! Check out our current openings.