How to Give Yourself a Boost

I recently spoke with a senior-level marketing colleague who’s considering a major career move. He asked if I had any leads on marine marketing opportunities, and for advice on how to best position himself for success. 

Making a career move is never an easy proposition. Whether you’re yearning for a chief marketing officer position, a step up the management ladder, a lateral move, a specialist role or an entry-level job, investing sufficient time to prepare and strategically position yourself for success is imperative.   

What changes, though, is the job climate at the time of the hunt. Here’s what I see in the current climate for marketing jobs based on my four decades’ worth of experience in mentoring, hiring and recruiting professionals with all kinds of skillsets — along with tips that can help you succeed no matter what the job market does next.

Current Climate

Marketing unemployment is trending below average, according to the 2025 In-Demand Marketing and Creative Roles and Hiring Trends published in February by Robert Half. The report cites federal data showing that the unemployment rate was 3.6% during the fourth quarter of 2024 for marketing specialists; it was 2.3% for advertising and promotions managers; and other key positions, including web developers and editors, were tracking well below the 4.1% national average at 0.3% and 1.6%, respectively.

Also, the study noted, major industries hiring today for marketing and creative roles are business and professional services, manufacturing, transportation and technology. These industries point to key drivers spurring recruitment, including company growth at 57%, new projects at 49% and employee turnover at 45%. Some 68% will fill new permanent roles, 29% will replace vacated positions, and 72% are retaining contract labor through 2025.

However, 91% of those enlisting outside contractors report a lack of skilled talent, difficulties assessing skills and experience levels, cultural alignment concerns, and compensation discrepancies. Other hiring roadblocks include limited budgets, an onslaught of AI projects requiring expertise, and the “need to source professionals with a complex blend of creative insight, technical prowess and commercial acumen.” 

The marine industry lacks specific marketing employment data. However, Doug Sexton, president of V20 Recruiting + Consulting — which specializes in the marine, powersports, RV, outdoor power equipment and firearm industries — says we’re still in a post-pandemic phase. “To some degree, marketing positions simply weren’t the fire that needed to be put out, similar to roles in product development, design, management and sales,” he says. “However, these roles and opportunities are starting to surface now.

“There is a shifted interest by many companies in our industry to take a harder look at marketing for their organization,” he adds. “They are considering that we [the boat business] for the most part operate months, years or even decades behind other industries like auto, which is always used as a comparison. They may be thinking that marketing — done right and with the new technology and tools available — could be the differentiator to elevate the business and increase share.”

There are steps that savvy marketers can take to catch a new wave of opportunity, or to address potential new roles or internal promotions at a current place of employment. First is to define and market yourself. Whether it’s within a resume, during a one-on-one interview or in performance evaluations with a present employer, it’s crucial to demonstrate your value and unique contributions. Document and communicate major achievements, and share examples to illustrate how your contributions directly affected the bottom line.  

“Marketers are extremely good at communicating fantastic and creative pieces that they have been involved with or created,” Sexton says. “However, we guide all quality candidates through our process, which enables them to put on paper and communicate results, which is what is important. Marketers must boil all the awesome work and creativity down to tangible results that are clear and defined, which is sometimes a challenge. Hanging your hat on holding a position with XYZ boatbuilder doesn’t get it. Articulating the work beyond the job description and how it has made a difference — saved money, made money, contributed to gains in share, etc. — are all things that matter.”

Most marine clients, he adds, prefer to hire experienced industry candidates with a passion for the water, or those from adjacent industries. Bringing the water gene and hands-on boating experience to the table, coupled with related industry experience, can be game-changing. 

“What’s important to my clients is that a candidate not only knows the nuts and bolts of marketing and how to quantify it, but how everything comes together,” he says. “Understanding the nuances of the business, the regions of the country where there is strength versus weaknesses, seasonality and the segments the builder plays in is increasingly important. A candidate who can display they are a student of the industry goes a long way.”

Another step that job-seekers can take is to be proactive about education. Marketing practices and platforms evolve daily, which means ongoing professional development is a must to anchor a thriving, long-term career and improve compensation. You can’t expect to grow professionally and expand career opportunities without putting in the work to stay relevant. 

As the Half study revealed, marketing recruiters bemoan the lack of skilled talent. Be brutally honest: How skilled are you? Are you knowledgeable about the latest marketing trends, technologies, platforms and practices? Are you data-driven? Can you quantify and clearly communicate marketing campaign results? 

A wealth of outstanding resources are available online and, likely, in your community. Find mentors within or outside your workplace. Attend online webinars and conferences. Sign up for courses to “learn and earn” in areas where you’re weak. Certifications validate expertise and help to distinguish a candidate.

Yet another good piece of advice is to step up and step out. Maybe you aren’t the chief marketing officer or senior marketing leader at your company, but that shouldn’t prevent you from offering to spearhead a project, or from doing important research on the side. How can you support your marketing supervisor, team or other managers to solve problems? What cost savings or efficiency improvements might you uncover? What new profit centers or lines of revenue could you research and propose?   

Assuming leadership roles, demonstrating a high level of commitment and advocating for your own career advancement not only open the door for potential growth, but also may yield bona fide contributions that can boost your visibility, enhance your reputation and bolster your resume.

Also, be sure to present like a pro. To earn a seat at the table and exert influence, you must master the art of presentation. Whether you’re pitching a new concept to a team, reporting to the C-suite or vying for a highly desirable position, the ability to communicate effectively — while exuding poise and confidence — is essential. 

Take a public-speaking course. Study and take cues from world-class presenters through online platforms and tutorials. Work with a coach or mentor. Seize every opportunity to practice and improve these career-critical skills.  

Perhaps you’re ready to present at internal, community or industry gatherings to gain higher-profile visibility. Consider using online tools and technology to promote and position yourself through video clips or blogs in your subject-matter wheelhouse.

Also, master the art of networking. Initiating and engaging with new contacts can powerfully influence and affect your career. Network within your organization to meet the movers and shakers. Attend industry events and set networking goals. Represent your firm in key industry associations. If your goal is to rise within industry marketing ranks, join the Marine Marketers of America and volunteer, which allows you to meet the best marketers in the biz.     

Regularly update your experience and achievements on your resume and online profiles. Visit and follow specific group pages. Initiate or comment on posts where you bring credible expertise. Reach out to introduce yourself via online platforms, or ask others to facilitate meaningful introductions. 

 Another tip is to work on sales team synergy. Marketers who want a real-time pulse on business activity or future projections understand the intrinsic value of regular interaction with the sales team. 

Discussing sales goals or challenges and then developing marketing solutions and strategies together enhances teamwork and results in bottom-line benefits. Former HubSpot CRO Mark Roberge said, “When sales and marketing work together, companies see 36% higher customer retention and 38% higher sales win rates.”

This kind of synergy also builds business acumen, organizational value and professional reputation. Participants become better equipped to communicate and deliver sales-driven results and ROI while gaining greater respect and drive to improve customer experience. Working alongside sales also creates a powerful pipeline of referrals that can be tremendously valuable for career advancement.

Be sure to seek and value feedback. When did you last meet with your supervisor to discuss your overall performance? Besides the traditional annual review, do you ask for a candid evaluation after completing major marketing initiatives? Request timely and direct feedback, including areas for improvement.

All of these tips can help, as can consulting with a recruiting firm so your information is readily accessible. “Many times, recruiting firms have opportunities that are not listed on their website. Some manufacturers are reluctant to tell the world about all their opportunities, and some may already have someone in that role,” Sexton says. “Get on the radar, network and make it a priority.”