Am I naive to think I can use my transferable skills in publishing to get a job in marketing?

[dancingredshoes]

I would really value some honest opinions.

I have worked in publishing, editing and project management, for over 20 years, mainly in London. My experience is not just book editing. I have worked across audio projects, charity partnerships, written press releases and social media content, managed complex projects and dealt with a lot of external stakeholders and brand approvals.

So fairly broad communications and content experience, just within a publishing context.

I am now looking for roles closer to home and keep seeing marketing executive roles that, on paper, feel like they overlap heavily with what I already do. Campaign coordination, content creation, brand consistency, managing agencies and stakeholders and so on.

However, I do not have a formal marketing title on my CV.

Am I being naive to think my skills are transferable? Do marketing managers realistically consider candidates without direct marketing job titles, or would I be overlooked straight away?

I would really appreciate insight from anyone who hires in marketing or has made a similar sideways move.

I work in communications and yes, your skills would definitely be transferrable to a marcomms role.

yes, definitely. I worked in publishing - editor on a general list then in commissioning for about ten years before moving to a comms and marketing role for a charity. I found the broad range of experience and skills i built up in publishing invaluable.

@BauhausOfEliott@Nightmanagerfanwow thank you both for such positive answers! I know deep down I would be able to do a marketing role, but got the classic imposter syndrome, after having a baby. I may be back to pick your brains if I ever get shortlisted for interviews! I’m looking at executive level roles, as I feel a manager level role without having direct marketing experience would be out of my remit! Xxx

@Nightmanagerfanto be fair if you work in an editorial role in publishing you’re essentially spinning all the players, whilst doing marketing/PR and sales! When I look at my CV I find it insane the amount of different things I’ve worked on - and then somehow we still had to put books/mags together. Are you glad you made the move? I find publishing is such high pressure nowadays for such little reward and just constant redundancies, whilst the workload stays the same!

Definitely go for it :)

For sure, but be aware that the technical requirements for DTC product marketing roles with a strong social media sales component are very demanding and fast-changing these days You probably want to look for a role in a company that is lower-volume to start with.

Your skills are transferable, as marketing roles value experience in content creation, project management, and stakeholder coordination. Lack of a formal "marketing" title won't hold you back if you highlight relevant experience. Many hiring managers prioritise skills over titles. Tailor your CV to showcase your overlap with marketing responsibilities.

I did both, many moons ago. It’s very cross-transferable.

We've recently hired someone with a very similar background to yours as a Content Strategist,so it can and does happen.

He's a very knowledgeable chap but is definitely having to pick up on a lot about the industry and marketing in general. It's not always easy guiding him tbh,but the skills are there.

I say go for it! Just be prepared for what projects you might be pulled in to, especially at exec level.

I'm a mum with a startup. Specifically focusing on making family meals easier. I'm looking for someone to do some social media marketing and would be happy to see if it's a fit for you.