Hello all.

Anonymous

May 5,2023 at 1:55PM UTC

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Hello all. I know I’ll get honest advice here so give it to me. I have almost 30 years of experience in consumer marketing. I’ve always been at senior manager level, not director but have great companies, projects and campaigns under my belt. I’m 51 years old and was laid off in 2020 along with many others. After struggling and consulting, I found what seemed like a great new job a little over a year ago. Fast forward to today, the company is in chaos. I was hired to deliver marketing strategy and create new processes but it never seems to be what they want. I’ve never worked so hard re-educating myself, asking questions, looking for people to collaborate with - with no success. So now I’mstuck. I’ve been put on a 30 day plan to deliver to expectations of which only one is outlined. And it’s to deliver a strategy approach that I’ve never heard of and in my research doesn’t exist. I also know my boss no longer trusts me, is giving more to another colleague and just generally doesn’t like me.

If I’m being set up to be fired, do I quit instead? The deadline is in a few weeks so not time to look and get a new job. I could survive without unemployment but it wouldn’t be great. But I’m very worried about a termination being in my resume. I get it, we aren’t a good fit. But how do hiring teams feel about a 50+woman being fired? Especially since I’ve always been in tech and 2020 wasn’t my first layoff.

Note: I will definitely try to achieve his goals but I don’t see how his plan will be successful. He has no experience in my field and IMO has a long way to go to be a good leader.

Be honest! Anyone finding contract jobs in marketing right now? With all the layoffs, are there jobs still out there? TIA

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AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 2:22PM UTC
Don’t quit. The goal is probably to see if you will try. Ask your manager questions about the task you have been given. You can ask questions such as “Can you tell me your vision on how you expect this project to be presented as I want to ensure we are on the same page”. And be strategic in your follow up questions as to not give yourself away. Take notes. Don’t panic but do your best. Also, try to ask questions, be more visible, but not overbearing outside of your follow up meetings as to where you are on the project.
And in the end, even if it does not result in you staying, at least he will be able to say you were trying to accomplish this impossible task.
I am sure you have it in you to accomplish this task. Remember the impossible is always possible. You got this!
In the meantime, start looking for a new job.
AnonymousMay 7,2023 at 2:40PM UTC
Our situations are extremely similar. I went from a Marketing Director to a V.P. of marketing while switching jobs to a different tech company. 30 years’ experience. I’ve continually studied all the new strategies as they come along and am confident I know what will work best to deliver qualified leads to sales in just about any situation. In fact, I also worked harder than I have in a long time, and we surpassed all the expectations and goals (leads and sales) we modeled in the 11 months I was with that company.
Even so, the CEO was perpetually unhappy with me and fired me last year! I have never been fired, still have no idea why, and for the last year have found my confidence deflated, my will to work for someone else, and my desire to have anything more to do with the tech industry (which was my entire career) completely gone.
I’m living frugally on savings and trying to get consulting projects to limp my way to retirement (I’m in my fifties too). 2 years ago, I was so happy and enthusiastic about my career, proud to be the rare woman who made it to the top in tech, and now all that is ruined.
My point in all of this is that being fired is way more of a problem than your resume explanation. It really sucks. My advice is to leave on your own terms to save your soul. Now. Run.
Trip PaulsonMay 5,2023 at 4:54PM UTC
I think that if they made up the name of the strategy, you get to define that name of the strategy. After advising them in writing that you identified that the named strategy is non-existent and that they have been inflexible in the strategies that are available.
Give them 24 hours to define the term, and then produce what you would define the named term is.
Document document document.
Also, at the end of the strategy, include in the conclusion that marketing is like weather forecasting, it can produce a statement, but production is not in your control.
Unless the company can actually produce the results it wants to claim it does, it doesn't matter how much is spent on marketing, because they have lost the value of integrity in the product.
If the company is truly that chaotic and they do fire you, then in future interviews the answer to why your last job would be:
"After advising them for two years on marketing, the company did not apply what advantage the marketing strategies gave them into production. As such, my role was rendered obsolete."
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 6:19PM UTC
Thank you. I’ve basically approached my strategy first by managing it in a similar ways as other brands have within the organization. As to keep with a flow. Then I revised so this will be a 3rd approach. I will document all this out and loop in HR so that the path is clear. This is actually his second 30 day plan but the first was “you have gaps in your strategy, go figure out where.” That was fun. Appreciate the help!!
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 6:20PM UTC
That’s what I was thinking. It’s a blip. Over 30 years, this one didn’t work out. Shouldn’t be that bad, right?
Laura PursleyMay 5,2023 at 6:54PM UTC
The 30-day plan is an indicator they intend to end your employment - there is almost nothing you can do at this point to change their mind. So don't stress about the impossible assignment. They are the problem here, not you.
Since this company is not a good fit for you, once you are free (and collecting unemployment) you can focus your time on finding a team that appreciates what you bring to the table.
In the meantime, document the ways you have contributed solutions and have requested further guidance... just in case you have an age discrimination claim.
In the current market, you need not worry about how a termination looks. There are so many layoffs right now, that your separation will appear to be due to prevailing economic factors. Even if your company doesn't have a public mass layoff, it's quite likely that management is looking to cut people costs, and your direct supervisor having a different approach from you is what has made you a target of such cuts. Again, that's their problem and their loss.
You will find a better situation when you are freed from this chaos. Best wishes to you!
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 10:15PM UTC
This was an incredibly lovely response. Thank you for the positivity!!
AnonymousMay 6,2023 at 2:18AM UTC
This 30 Day plan + reassigning work are big indicators that they have the intention of terminating your employment. Please don't stress about the assignment and focus your energy on other employment and moving forward from this workplace instead.
With so many layoffs, etc, no need to worry about how everything looks.
Katherine Metres Akbar, Interview Coach & Resume ExpertMay 7,2023 at 1:12PM UTC
I'm sorry. This is upsetting to even read. I hope you have a rainy day fund. It's for situations just like this. There are plenty of jobs out there in marketing, not just contract jobs. That said, because there are fewer openings, and more jobs are remote (increasing your competition to nationwide), the competition is stiff. Your company may offer outplacement for those terminated. I'd ask HR about that right now. Even if they don't, and you need to pay for that out of pocket, getting professional help should make your job search faster and easier. Many companies also provide a job offer guarantee so that you know your money won't be wasted.If you feel so moved, you may book a free Career Success Consultation with us at YESwriting dot com. You can also use our site's Resources page for a lot of self-help articles and videos.Best wishes! Don't worry about the prior layoff or one termination. The right employer will be able to see that your boss was a turd. :-)
GirlBossanova934974May 7,2023 at 1:38PM UTC
I have been in the Marketing profession since 1996. I am not at all sure why your strategy is or what your strategy should be. It appears you have all experience in Direct to Consumer. Is this new company B2B? Are you running some sort of radio or direct mail or TV or streaming campaigns? Have you and your manager sat down and discussed what the KPIs are? Are you supposed to be delivering leads? Driving website engagement? Getting so many phone calls? From my experience and what you are saying , you have a NON Marketing person trying to oversee Marketing and he is unable to connect the dots from what you are doing in Marketing and how that affects the company bottom line. So you have to do it for him. I find it useful to create funnels with things like conversion rate being in RANGE of numbers. You have also be able to do some Attribution modeling as customers will get some exposure to your company from a wide variety of channels. On the Tech front, you can now use Google Analytics 4 to track your customer across several marketing platforms such as social media, paid search, organic search and set up event tracking without custom tagging etc. I just set it up and got it going the other day...... You should also make sure you have your sales broken out by Marketing Channel via Salesforce and/or Tableau. Last, you do should not go out there and openly declare to future employers you were fired from any company unless there was some sort of misconduct. If you are going to go looking for another job, I would say TECH IS THE LAST PLACE you should go looking right now. TECH right now is great for employers who are cutting workforces, fattening up their bottom lines, and have ZERO job security to offer. Try insurance or travel or infrastructure firms.
Amy GeffenMay 7,2023 at 1:40PM UTC
It sounds tome like you are being set up for failure. So start looking for another job now. Work with an experienced career coach to help you through this process. If you can stand it, stay until they fire you, at least you will get some severance andmaybe even some outplacement (they pay for a few hours of career coaching).
AnonymousMay 7,2023 at 1:55PM UTC
Please start looking now! Badly managed organizations do exist and we occasionally get stuck in one. As far as the why are you leaving so soon question goes, something along the lines of the job is not the same as what was discussed, and I’m very passionate about consumer marketing. After much deliberation, I’ve determined that I do not want to change fields. This will also help with the reference from your current position request. Use someone from your old job, plus you haven’t been at the new one long.
Wishing you the best - it’s hard to pull out everything during the interview process.
AnonymousMay 7,2023 at 2:05PM UTC
Don’t quit. Let them fire you so you can get unemployment. Unless you are in the Federal or State sector, companies don’t disclose if you were fired, quit, etc., so your resume is safe. You do NOT have to write down your reasons for leaving a position nowadays.
T PremoMay 7,2023 at 2:11PM UTC
Can your skills in be contracted out for different companies? I don't know much about the Tech field but I know people is the field that work for themselves and get to pick and choose what projects they take on. Maybe it's time to work for yourself IMO. If that is not an option stay and look for something else in the mean time. There are some many options you can explore, I'm younger so I see working for an employer different being fired and set up is the reason people hate it. So, look into other avenue such as a youtube channel to teach people about the consumer marketing in the Tech field. Advertising your Tech for big platforms can help you. I know I may not be completely versed in what you do but I know you can do it somewhere else and other opportunities to show your skills instead a of a job that dont value your experience and knowledge. I hope you are blessed with a great opportunity to ease your worry.
Heidi SchmidtMay 7,2023 at 3:03PM UTC
It sounds like you are being set up to fail so they can say you didn’t hit the goals and let you go. Do not despair and do not quit. This way you can get unemployment and maybe some severance. With what is going on in the industry, no one will blink that you have been laid off. You can say the job wasn’t the right fit on interviews and explain what you are looking for (which will of course match the job you are interviewing for). Use this time to get your resume updated and look for a job. Connect to recruiters, change your LinkedIn profile to say you are looking (it will only let recruiters know you are looking). Start contacting those in your network and ask if they know of any jobs. Staying in chaotic and/or toxic places will only bring you down. This is the universe’s way of pushing you to a better jobGood luck!
Liz MilneMay 8,2023 at 12:13AM UTC
If you are not meeting targets because they cannot articulate those targets, the fault does NOT lie with you.
I would start looking for other positions on the down-low, but also make it clear that you cannot deliver daydreams and wishes - they must give you hard and fast objectives...
(And whether your boss 'likes you' or not shouldn't come into it: he has a duty of care as your supervisor to give you all the tools and advice to do your job effectively...)