For an influencer moving to a corporate role, the key is finding a hiring manager who doesn't look at resumes. The influencer must clearly articulate the skills and desires they have for the new role (e.g., operations, sales) and not be defined by their past as a "content person." The challenge is finding the right audience, not changing the pitch.
Related Insights
Many skilled professionals are overlooked for promotions or new roles not because their work is subpar, but because they fail to articulate a compelling narrative around their accomplishments. How you frame your impact in interviews and promotion documents is as crucial as the impact itself.
The leap from a hands-on marketing leader to a C-level executive is less about tactical skills and more about personal growth. It demands a shift from execution ('doing the work') to leadership ('inspiring people'), which requires self-awareness, authenticity, and dropping 'professional walls' to build genuine connections.
To get hired in a competitive market, stop spamming resumes. Instead, consistently create and publish content on platforms like LinkedIn that showcases your expertise, knowledge, and passion for your craft. This demonstrates value and attracts opportunities, making you a magnet for recruiters rather than just another applicant.
When transitioning to a new industry, your lack of domain knowledge is secondary. Focus on your "superpower": the proven, repeatable process you use to deliver results. Articulate your ability to launch, rally teams, and solve problems, as these core skills are universally valuable.
If you hate your job or are unemployed, transform your LinkedIn into a content platform. Post daily videos sharing insights and observations about your industry. This demonstrates active expertise and attracts opportunities from hiring managers who see your value, rather than just reading a static resume.
A non-linear career path is a source of unique solutions, not a disadvantage. Reframe your varied past by translating skills into the new context. For example, a musician's "tour logistics" becomes a marketer's "launch planning," showcasing transferable expertise.
Your personal brand should transcend your current job title. Identify recurring themes in your career and articulate them as core "I am" statements (e.g., "I love to build things from the ground up"). These statements should be true for you across different companies and roles, forming an authentic and enduring brand.
The transition to CMO is a shift from doing marketing to enabling it. Success requires mastering politics, finance, and cross-functional leadership. The best marketers often struggle because the job is more "Chief" than "Marketer."
Standard application processes often filter out candidates with non-linear career paths. Bypassing these filters requires "warm networking"—building genuine connections with people inside a target company to let them see your potential as a human, not just a CV.
When transitioning into a new role, especially a cross-functional one like product, relying on a title is a weak foundation for credibility. Earning respect through informal authority—by demonstrating value and influence—builds a much stronger and more lasting leadership position.
