Excel your career in 2023 with SMART goals (best examples included!)

Is career progression on your mind for 2023? If so, you’ll want to set some SMART goals. There’s no point in just hoping for success. You need to plan ahead to use your time effectively and create healthy career habits. Setting SMART goals will give you structure. And in the end, you’ll progress your career at a much quicker rate! 

It’s time to get specific!

What are SMART goals?

SMART goals stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-specific. It’s a structured way of setting aims. SMART goals help to keep you on track and ensure your goals are achievable.

Specific – your SMART goal can’t be vague. It needs to have a tangible aim in mind.

Measurable – you need to be able to track the progress of your SMART goal. It should be measurable in some way.

Achievable – always set SMART goals that are achievable. Many people fail with their goal-setting because they’re over-ambitious. But this only leads to disappointment and failure.

Relevant – keep your SMART goals focused. Make sure they’re actually going to progress your career in a meaningful way. There’s no point setting a goal for something that won’t have much impact on your career.

Time-specific – every SMART goal should be time-bound. You need to know the exact time frame you have to achieve your goal. Without a time frame, your goal could take twice as long to achieve!

Examples of goals Vs SMART goals

Example 1

Goal: “I want to find a new job. To do this, I’ll make sure I apply for lots of jobs everyday.”

This isn’t a SMART goal. It’s not specific since we don’t know what type of job they’d like to find and there’s no timeframe. This goal is too vague.

SMART goal: “I will find a new full-time job in HR by February 2023 with a minimum salary of £24,000. To do this, I will apply for 5 jobs per week.”

In this version, we know exactly what type of job we’re aiming for and we’ve set a deadline. We’ve made it measurable by adding in the 5 job applications per week and salary.

Example 2

Goal: “I want to gain a pay rise in 2023 and become more experienced/skilled in accountancy.”

With this goal, we don’t know what ‘more experienced’ looks like. This needs defining. It doesn’t seem achievable as there’s no solid plan to achieve the pay rise.

SMART goal: “Next year I will complete my AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting needed to achieve the next pay grade. I will dedicate 3 hours of study per week to Monday-Wednesday, ready to take my exam in September.”

This goal is much smarter. We know that we need to complete a new qualification to gain a pay rise. And we’ve carved out a specific timeframe and plan to get there!

Example 3

Goal: “I want to have a better work-life balance next year, working fewer hours.”

This goal isn’t measurable or time-specific. We know we need a better work-life balance. But we don’t exactly know how we’ll achieve that.

SMART goal: “To have a better work-life balance, I will submit a request to reduce my hours to 30 hours per week in March. I will also make sure I take my full breaks and leave work at 5pm.”

Much better. Now we know what a healthy work-life balance means. We’ve set a deadline and ways to track our progress. If we aren’t leaving work on time or are skipping breaks, we know we’re not sticking to the plan.

Work SMART, not hard

SMART goals will transform your career. Say goodbye to aimlessly wandering your way through life. Say goodbye to burnout. Making progress doesn’t have to be hard. You just need to get smart.

Ready to find a job you love? Join thousands of others who are using SonicJobs to find a new role in record time!

23 career habits to adopt in 2023

Want your career to skyrocket in 2023? Then it’s time to make some changes. Career breaks don’t happen in an instant. It’s a build-up of small habits. And you know what they say? Small habits lead to great success.

So in 2023, focus on adopting these effective career habits to progress your career.

23 habits to further your career in 2023

1. Update your CV regularly

Most people don’t update their CV until they’re ready to look for a new job. But you never know when a new opportunity is going to present itself. So you should update your CV every 3-6 months with both hard and soft skills!

2. Attend networking events

Sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know. Form connections with people in your industry and company. One of the best ways to do this is by attending industry events both online and in-person.

3. Create a LinkedIn profile

Having a LinkedIn profile is a must for career-hungry professionals. Not only is it great for finding new job opportunities, but it’s also another great place to network. 

4. Keep up a healthy work life balance

Too much work will lead to burnout. You need to stay on your A game. And to do that, you have to separate work time from personal time. It’s all about balance.

5. Contribute ideas

One of the best ways to get noticed at work is to contribute ideas. Don’t just leave it up to management. Be the type of employee who volunteers new ideas. 

6. Hit your targets

Commit to hitting your targets. When it comes to targets, you need an attitude of do or die. This is key to getting a promotion of landing a more senior role.

7. Be punctual 

A lot of people fall short on punctuality. If you want to further your career, you need to show up on time to work and meetings. It’s that simple!

8. Offer your support

Be the kind of employee that helps others out. Where you can, support your colleagues with your expertise and time. This is a strong leadership quality that your managers will notice!

9. Show leadership

To land a leadership role, you need to prove yourself as a leader first. So take initiative to lead your team when the opportunity arises.

10. Celebrate others’ wins

A key part of leadership is being able to celebrate others. So if your colleagues are doing well, always congratulate them on their wins.

11. Be a problem-solver

Problems always crop up in business. But the key is to be a problem-solver. If you have to raise an issue, always follow it up with a solution. 

12. Upskill

Get into the habit of constantly upskilling. Take advantage of any training offered at work. Pick up new skills where you can. And enrol into training in your own time. 

13. Avoid gossip

Workplace gossip will always exist. But you don’t have to take part in it. In fact, you’ll do better to keep your head down and mind your own business. Stay professional and get your job done.

14. Ask for feedback

Ask your manager for feedback on a regular basis. This shows you’re willing to learn and develop. Plus, they’ll respect you for taking criticism.

15. Use SMART goals

Setting goals is good. But setting SMART goals is better. Always ensure your goals are:

  • Specific
  • Measureable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-specific

16. Use a planner

Start using a planner to get the most out of your days. Update it daily to make sure you don’t waste any time or forget important tasks!

17. Eliminate distractions

Get focused when you’re doing important tasks. Turn off your emails and put your phone away. Your projects will get completed quicker and with better quality!

18. Use power hours

Power hours are where you spend 60 minutes fully focused on your most important tasks. No conversation, no phones, no browsing the internet. Just pure focus. 

19. Know when to ask for help

Being successful isn’t about doing everything yourself. We all need help sometimes. So get comfortable asking for help when you need it.

20. Use the 80/20 rule

The Pareto rule says that 20% of your actions lead to 80% of your results. So prioritise tasks that generate the most results. Knowing where to focus your efforts is a huge part of success.

21. Review your own performance

Keep checking in with your own performance on a weekly and monthly basis. You need to know where your strengths and weaknesses lie.

22. Use checklists

Checklists are an easy way to get productive. You can create a checklist for the day, week, and month to make sure you don’t forget any tasks!

23. Think outside the box

Make an effort to think differently to the rest of the group. Try to play devil’s advocate and look at situations from different angles. Companies appreciate employees who don’t fall into groupthink!

2023 is your year!

Success isn’t hard. It just takes consistency. If you adopt these habits, it won’t be long before your career flies.

To find a job you love, browse over half a million jobs on the SonicJobs app.

Can you retract a notice letter? Cancelling your resignation

Regret handing your notice in? It can be difficult to know when to move jobs. And lots of things can go wrong along the way. Maybe your other job offer fell through. Or maybe you just had a change of heart. If you think you’ve made the wrong decision to leave your job, let’s see what you can do about it.

Can you withdraw a notice letter?

Once your notice letter has been sent, you can’t cancel it. You can write a letter asking to withdraw your notice. But the company doesn’t have to agree with your request. So if you want to hand in your notice, be prepared to stick by your decision!

Tips to write a letter withdrawing your resignation

Speed is everything

Speed is crucial in trying to cancel your resignation. As soon as you tell your company you’re leaving, they’ll probably start looking for someone new. Especially if you’re only on 1 month’s notice period. So the sooner you ask for a cancellation, the better. If they’ve already started the interviews, your chances of keeping your job get slimmer.

Keep it short

Your company doesn’t need to know the ins and outs of your situation. Keep your retraction letter short and to the point. Stick to one A4 page and around 3 paragraphs.

Don’t be entitled

Writing a resignation retraction letter is basically asking for a favour. So always bear that in mind when writing your letter. The company doesn’t have to accept your request. And you’ve probably caused the company some inconvenience. So be sensitive to that and stay polite. Be willing to admit that you made a mistake.

Finish on a positive

Keep the tone of your letter upbeat. Close your letter by ending on a positive note. This could be sharing your hopes about the future. Or perhaps reflecting on the success over the past years.

Example notice retraction letter

“Dear [Manager name],

I am writing to request a cancellation of the notice letter I submitted on [date]. Although I had planned on leaving the company due to [reason for leaving], I would appreciate the opportunity to continue in my role as [job title] since [reason for wanting to stay].

I understand and apologise for the inconvenience this may have caused. However, after working for you for the past 2 years, I sincerely hope to continue my work here at [company name]. 

I hope you recognise the value I have brought to the company during my tenure, and rest assured my intention is to continue building on this performance for years to come.

Thank you for considering my request. I eagerly await your response.

Yours faithfully,

[Name]”

Keep your fingers crossed

Retracting a notice letter isn’t the easiest thing in the world. You can be left feeling full of regret. But all you can do is apologise and write a sincere letter. The rest is up to your boss! So try to sit back and make the most of whatever happens.

Looking for a new career? Browse over half a million jobs on the SonicJobs app today!

Stand out when applying for jobs during a shaky economy

The UK’s economy faces tough times. So you may want to rethink your job hunting strategy. When recessions hit, there tends to be fewer jobs around. That’s because companies hire less. So there’s more competition for you. If you find yourself struggling to find a job, it’s time to start doing things differently.

Here are 8 things to start doing when the economy takes a nosedive.

  • Update your CV
  • Wow with a portfolio
  • Show your face
  • Put in a phone call
  • Attach a cover letter
  • Wear an outfit that pops
  • Use recession-friendly words
  • Follow up

8 ways to stand out when job hunting in a recession

Update your CV

Recessions call for a little CV makeover. That’s because companies start thinking differently about who they’re hiring. So be sure to update your CV with recession-proof skills.

Wow with a portfolio

Portfolios are a great way to impress hiring managers. It’s a great way to show off your skills. But not every job is suited to a portfolio. Creative jobs like photography, writing and marketing are portfolio-friendly. You can also create a portfolio for other jobs like project management and architecture. Don’t wait for them to ask you to bring a portfolio. Just bring one anyway!

Show your face

What’s one way to stand out in a pile of CVs? Show your face! Where possible, turn up at the company to introduce yourself and hand in your CV. This puts a face to your CV. You’ll have an easier time standing out and the hiring manager will be more likely to offer you an interview.

Put in a phone call

If you can’t show up in person, try a phone call! It’s another great way to get noticed. If you’ve not heard back after an application, call the hiring manager. See if they’ll pull up your application while you’re on the phone. This will show you’re keen and will be sure to speed things along!

Attach a cover letter

Cover letters are an absolute must when applying for jobs in a recession. It’s the perfect way to expand on your CV and really sell yourself. Be sure to check out our cover letter writing tips!

Wear an outfit that pops

When hiring managers interview a lot of candidates, they can start to blur into one. So be sure to pick the right interview outfit and wear something special to your interview. A colourful tie or brooch can help the interviewer remember you.

Use recession-friendly words

Companies think differently during recessions. It’s all about saving costs and staying alive. They’re not so focused on thriving (that’s more of a bonus). So you need to start talking their language. Here are a few words and ideas to talk about in your CV/interview:

  • Cost-saving
  • Budget management
  • Resourceful
  • Out-of-the-box thinking
  • Adaptable
  • Resilient
  • Contingency plans

Follow up

Ever heard the phrase ‘the fortune is in the follow up’? Well, it really is! Sometimes you’ve gotta follow up with the hiring manager. If you haven’t heard back after an interview, don’t just sit there and wait. Get on the phone and make it happen! 

Think outside the box

When times are tough, it’s time to act differently. Job hunting can get a little tougher when the economy is down. So start planning ahead. Get your CV in shape and make sure you go the extra mile for every job application. Sometimes it’s the little things you do that employers love. So never underestimate the power of putting in a phone call or following up.

How do you stand out when job hunting? Share your tips below!

5 recession-proof skills to add to your CV immediately!

With living costs rising, it’s no wonder the word ‘recession’ is on everybody’s lips. And recessions affect every part of your life – including your job hunt! During recessions, companies start hiring differently. They don’t have the budget to spend big bucks on endless hires. They tighten the purse strings. And they focus more on hiring people with a certain set of soft skills. 

So with strong signs that a recession is on its way, it’s time to zhuzh up your CV. Here are  5 recession-proof soft skills to add to your CV.

  • Resourcefulness
  • Flexibility
  • Quick learner
  • Negotiation
  • Resilience

5 CV skills for a recession

Resourcefulness

Being resourceful is an absolute must during a recession. Recessions are times when businesses review everything they spend and use. So as an employee, it’s a great advantage if you take care not to waste company resources. And what’s better is if you can find ways to streamline the company through your out-of-the-box thinking!

Flexibility

When faced with a recession, company’s need employees that are flexible. That’s because businesses will usually have to make several changes to ensure their business survives the storm. So that means you need to be flexible with your working patterns. But you also need to be flexible with the work you do. If they need you to muck in in different parts of the business, you’d better be ready to roll your sleeves up!

Quick learner

Being able to pick up new skills quickly is a gift to all employers. They don’t want to spend lots of money on in-depth training or hiring someone new all the time. They need employees who can pick up skills quickly. To do this, you need to be sharp and a good listener. You need to have a keen eye for detail and ask questions as you go along.

Negotiation

What better skill to have during a recession than negotiation? This skill will come in handy if you’re applying for jobs in sales or management roles. It’s also useful for any job where you deal with clients or suppliers. When done right, you can negotiate better rates and save your company a small fortune. As a manager, you’ll also need strong negotiation skills for managing your staff with things like pay rise requests.

Resilience

Businesses go through ups and downs during recessions. And the stress of this often trickles down to the staff. It could mean losing clients, feeling more pressure, or having harder targets. So employers want to hire people who have a determined attitude. People who aren’t easily shaken by turbulence. You need to be able to roll with the punches and dust yourself off when you fall.

How to include these skills on your CV?

Don’t just list these skills on your CV. Think of examples of how you’ve used them in the workplace. And then include these examples and key words in your job duties.

Resourcefulness example

“Administrator, Sept 2018 – present

  • Processing confidential client data in compliance with GDPR
  • Data entry for payroll processing
  • Using resourceful thinking to streamline processes and speed up processing times (shortened processing time by 20%)”

Rethink your CV

Your CV should constantly evolve. As you develop new skills, add these to your CV. When you apply for different jobs, tailor your CV to the job. When the economic climate takes a nosedive, rethink how you market yourself!

Short on time? Create a free CV in minutes on the SonicJobs app!

Common retail interview questions and answers

When interviewing for a retail position, hiring managers are looking for a variety of skills. They want to hire people who are sociable, friendly, presentable and hardworking. And sometimes the competition can be stiff!  So if you really want to ace your interview, revise these common retail interview questions.

6 retail interview questions (with sample answers)

Why do you want to work in retail?

This is one of the most common retail interview questions. Show that you’re passionate about retail. You want the hiring manager to know you won’t take just any old job…it has to be retail!

“I’ve always enjoyed working with people. And I love to provide a first-class experience to customers. I know retail can be a busy industry sometimes, but I thrive in these conditions.”

Why do you want to work for us?

Always make sure you find specific reasons why you want to work for this particular company. Do your research before the interview to make sure you know the company inside out!

“Firstly, I adore your products. I’ve shopped here for many years so I’ve already fallen in love with the products and the quality. Secondly, I know you’re a well-reputed employer from the awards you’ve won. I have also seen on your website that you offer great career progression, which is something that’s important to me.”

What do you consider good customer service?

Customer service is the most important part of retail. So be sure to talk about going the extra mile for the customer and knowing the product like the back of your hand.

“Good customer service starts from the second they walk in the door. Customers should always be greeted and know they have assistance to hand. I think it’s also about listening to the customer and truly understanding their needs. One of the other aspects of good customer service is being knowledgeable about the product. This builds trust between you and the customer and results in repeat business.”

How would you handle busy periods with long queues?

Working in retail can have you rushed off your feet. Especially during sales or the festive season. So you’ll need to prove to the hiring manager that you can keep your cool during busier periods.

“I’d work efficiently but still keep calm and pleasant for the customers. If I was working on the tills, I’d apologise to each customer for the wait. It’s also important to offer help to your team members where possible during busy periods. If I see the tills need an extra person, I’ll be the first to volunteer myself.”

How would you deal with an unhappy customer?

You’re always going to get unhappy customers. They might be unhappy about the queue. Or they could be annoyed because the product let them down. Either way, you need to show you can turn a bad situation into a positive.

“I think the first thing to do with unhappy customers is give them your undivided attention. Listen to them and make sure they know they’re being heard. Once they feel their problem has been understood, they already start to feel better. I’d then empathise with them to show I understand their predicament. Finally, I’d let them know their custom is important to us and offer the best solution possible. That could be a refund, a replacement, or simply an apology for the inconvenience.”

When have you gone the extra mile for a customer?

This question swings back to customer service. It’s another way of seeing how you’ve overperformed for customers in the past. Think of a time when you really went above and beyond for a customer. And don’t forget to talk about the end result! How did this make the customer feel?

“When I was working as a retail assistant, a customer came in looking for an outfit for a little girl as a present. He seemed totally clueless about what to buy. So I asked him some questions about the girl to find out her age and style. I went on to pick out two separate outfits for the customer to choose from. In the end, he decided to buy both outfits! He was so grateful for the help and left us a raving review on our website.”

Practise to succeed!

The best way to succeed in your retail interview is to practise! Always prepare answers in advance. And don’t forget to use the STAR interview method. This will help you to structure your answers properly! 

Want to work in retail? Access thousands of retail jobs on the SonicJobs app today!

The best descriptive words to use in your CV

Your CV is your chance to sell yourself. But writing a standout CV is not a quick task. And hiring managers only look at your CV for around 6 seconds before moving on. Writing your key skills is one way to grab their attention. But you also need to put some thought into the words you use to describe yourself in your CV. And adjectives are the way to do that. When chosen carefully, adjectives can really help to sell yourself.

Let’s take a look at some good descriptive words for your CV.

Best adjectives for your CV

Adjectives for sales CVs

A sales CV should show you’re highly motivated and a self-starter. But sales isn’t for everyone. So employers want to know you have the drive and focus it takes to succeed in a tough industry.

  • Self-starter
  • Motivated
  • Tenacious
  • Resilient
  • Target-driven
  • Independent
  • Thick-skinned
  • Bold
  • Disciplined
  • Charismatic
  • Persuasive

Adjectives for care worker CVs

Carers work with the most vulnerable people in society. And it’s a job that comes with a lot of demands and pressures. So it’s important to show you’re not afraid of hard work. And that you have a compassionate heart.

  • Compassionate
  • Caring
  • Friendly
  • Reliable
  • Genuine
  • Calm
  • Amiable
  • Supportive

Adjectives for IT CVs

IT is a highly logical and analytical field. IT professionals need to be able to work with technical information. And they  musn’t be afraid of solving a problem or two!

  • Problem solving
  • Analytical
  • Logical
  • Outside the box thinker
  • Lateral thinker

Adjectives for customer service CVs

Customer service reps are the face of the business. You’re the first port of call for customers. So you need to show you enjoy working with people. And your communication skills need to be top notch!

  • Strong communicator
  • Sociable
  • Patient
  • Helpful
  • Clear
  • Organised

Adjectives for hospitality CVs

Hospitality is all about creating unforgettable experiences for people. The best hospitality workers are able to work under pressure and still keep their calm.

  • Composed
  • Energetic
  • Flexible
  • Adaptable
  • Quick-paced
  • Accommodating
  • Vibrant
  • Cooperative

Adjectives for warehouse CVs

Warehouse workers spend a lot of time working on their feet. They have strict processes to follow and must work as part of a team. 

  • Focused
  • Methodical
  • Logical
  • Practical
  • Hands-on
  • Pragmatic
  • Thorough
  • Dexterous

Adjectives for marketing CVs

Marketing professionals have a huge role to play in helping companies to grow. In a fast-moving world, the best marketing professionals are always one step ahead of the game.

  • Creative
  • Imaginative
  • Forward-thinking
  • Innovative
  • Analytical
  • Experimental
  • Bold
  • Resourceful
  • Perceptive
  • Quick-witted
  • Inquisitive

Adjectives for leadership

Not everyone is born to be a leader. So employers look for certain leadership qualities. Leadership is about inspiring a team of people and getting everyone to work towards a common aim.

  • Innovative
  • Dynamic
  • Accountable
  • Influential
  • Decisive
  • Accomplished
  • Inclusive
  • Strategic
  • Strong-willed
  • Relentless
  • Authentic
  • Inclusive

Adjectives for communication 

Everyone should include communication skills in their CV. Whether you work with customers or work as part of a team, great communication is key.

  • Direct
  • Articulate
  • Assertive
  • Honest
  • Polite
  • Respectful
  • Personable

Adjectives for work ethic

Always describe your work ethic in your CV. Employers want to know you’re committed to the job and will be reliable!

  • Committed
  • Diligent
  • Passionate
  • Determined
  • Unrelenting
  • Focused
  • Dependable
  • Reliable

Does your CV need an ‘About me’ section?

Every CV should have an ‘About Me’ section or a personal statement. This is 3-5 sentences at the top of your CV that describe 3 things:

  1. Who you are
  2. Your experience
  3. What you’re looking for

Include key adjectives in your ‘About Me’ section. This is the first thing hiring managers will see, so keywords will help to catch their eye.

Upload your CV!

SonicJobs lets you upload your CV in an instant. It’s as easy as taking a picture of your CV! If you don’t have a CV yet, don’t worry! Using our CV building function, we’ll build you a free CV in minutes. 

Browse our app to start your job hunt today!

What does a restaurant manager do? Job description, salary and skills

Becoming a restaurant manager is a popular aim for staff in the hospitality industry. For many, it’s the pinnacle of their career. If you play your cards right, you can achieve this restaurant management level in a matter of a few years.

So let’s see what a restaurant manager does, and what it takes to become one!

Restaurant manager duties and responsibilities

Below are the key duties in restaurant manager job descriptions:

Managing staff

Staff management is a key part of being a restaurant manager. Depending on the size of the restaurant, you may manage the supervisors. Or you may manage the waiting staff directly. This includes monitoring performance, carrying out disciplinaries, and resolving any issues.

Scheduling rotas

A restaurant manager needs to ensure there are enough staff members on each shift. They also need to arrange cover for sickness or busier periods.

Managing stock levels

Where would a restaurant be without its stock? As a manager, you put in place processes to ensure stock levels remain high. 

Overseeing menu changes

The menu is the heart of the restaurant. There’s a lot of pressure to get this right. So the manager must work closely with the head chef to design a menu that attracts a lot of business. 

Managing budgets / expenses

As a restaurant manager, cash flow is one of your priorities. You need to know how much revenue is being generated, and what your expenses are each month. Profit is your priority. This can mean reviewing your suppliers to find cheaper ones. You’ll also decide how much to spend on marketing and events.

Hiring new team members

Restaurant managers manage the recruitment of new staff members. You’ll need to identify available positions and the job descriptions. You’ll also carry out interviews. Sometimes you’ll have the help of a restaurant supervisor.

Training staff

To maintain standards, you need to organise the appropriate training. This may be in-house training from supervisors. Or you may need to introduce external or online training too! This could be anything from cocktail making to food safety!

Strategy and vision

No restaurant can be a success without strategy and vision. And this starts with the restaurant manager. You need to find the best ways to attract your target clientele. You decide on the feel of the restaurant and set the bar for standards. As a leader, you also need to get your team rowing in the same direction. This will create a successful team culture.

Restaurant management key skills

To start looking for restaurant management jobs, here are some of the skills you’ll need for your CV.

  • Restaurant experience
  • Delegation
  • Organisation
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Management experience
  • Knowledge of budget management

Restaurant manager salaries in the UK

London – £36,389 average annual salary

Birmingham – £31, 622 average annual salary

Manchester – £31,201 average annual salary

Glasgow – £29,484 average annual salary

Leeds – £29,050 average annual salary

Bristol – £28,668 average annual salary

Sheffield – £28,511 average annual salary

Liverpool – £27,907 average annual salary

Newcastle – £27,372 average annual salary

Start today

The great part about working in restaurants is that you don’t need experience to get started. And you can start working in restaurants from as young as 14. Once you’ve got your foot in the door, you can progress through the ranks quicker than most industries.

Browse the SonicJobs app to find restaurant manager jobs near you today!

What does a career in digital marketing look like?

Thinking about starting a career in digital marketing? The good news is the industry is booming. This means there are plenty of digital marketing career paths in the UK. You may need to complete a qualification or take on an apprenticeship to get started. But it’s a fantastic career path for creative and analytical people.

So let’s explore some popular digital marketing careers.

5 digital marketing career paths

Take a look at some of the most popular digital marketing roles and job descriptions. The salaries provided are a UK average. But don’t forget, the higher you progress, the higher your salary.

PPC (Pay Per Click) – £29,000-£47,500 average UK salary

As a digital marketer, you can specialise in paid advertising (or PPC). This means running digital ad campaigns to gain exposure and clicks on the internet. You could be running paid ads on a variety of platforms like Google or Facebook. But paid advertising specialists need to be highly analytical. You’ll constantly be using data to tweak ads and try new techniques.

Social media – £32,500-£47,500 average UK salary

Jobs in social media management have exploded over the past 5-10 years. Every business is on social media. And it’s a whole beast of its own. Sometimes social media accounts need several people to run them. As a social media expert, you create and schedule engaging content. The aim is to help grow the company’s following and generate more revenue. It’s a highly creative role. You must be able to adapt to change since social media platforms are constantly evolving.

SEO – £27,000-£47,500 average UK salary

SEO specialists are analytical people. They specialise in making websites more visible on search engines like Google. The aim is to make the business rank higher on search engines for keywords. SEO is constantly evolving. So your job will be to research and create your own database of keywords. Then you’ll need to find ways to include these keywords across the website and paid ad campaigns. If you do your job right, the company website will gain more visitors and earn more money.

Email marketing – £25,000-£42,500 average UK salary

Email marketing is a creative career route in digital marketing. Emails are an essential part of any business. As an email marketing specialist, you’ll be creating sales funnel emails to convert your subscribers into customers. You need to have strong copywriting skills. But you’ll also need to analyse your target customers on a psychological level. Once you find out what makes them tick, this will drive your email marketing strategy.

Content marketing – £32,106-£47,500

Content marketers create engaging content to promote and sell the company. You need to have a love for language. On a daily basis, you could be writing up blog posts, whitepapers or other marketing materials. As a content marketer, language is your forte and you love to get creative!

The future’s bright

Digital marketing is a booming industry. As long as you keep developing your CV skills, you’ll have a fantastic career ahead of you. It’s all about being creative and achieving great results. If you’re changing your career path, just be sure to pick up some qualifications before diving in!

To start your new career, browse over half a million vacancies on the SonicJobs app today!

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What is a speculative job application? (With email example)

What’s that saying?

‘If the mountain won’t go to Muhammad, then Muhammad must come to the mountain’.

Well, this wisdom can be used in your job hunt! Don’t just sit and wait for opportunities to come to you. Create them for yourself!

Today, we’ll teach you what a speculative job application is, and how to make one!

What’s the definition of a speculative job application?

A speculative application (or speculative CV) is when you send your updated CV to a company even though they’re not advertising for jobs. You sell yourself into the company hoping they will create a position especially for you. Or maybe they were planning on hiring, but you manage to send your CV in before they start the process. Either way, when you send a speculative CV, you don’t know if the company is going to be interested in hiring or not. It’s a chance you take!

Do speculative applications work?

Good companies are always interested in people that can add value. So if you’ve got skills to offer, many employers will be glad to hear from you. Some skills are really hard to find. So hiring managers will always be open to hearing from candidates with the right skills. They don’t need to be actively hiring. They can take you on because they know your worth.

How to write a speculative application email

Identify your skills

Before you get started, know what you have to offer. What’s unique about you? What skills have you learned? What qualifications do you have? These are all questions that will shape what kinds of jobs you should go for. 

Create a list of roles and companies

Once you’ve identified your skills, it’s time to make a list. Don’t just aimlessly target companies. Know exactly the types of roles that could use your skills. And identify which companies you’d like to work for.

Send your CV and cover email

Make sure you update your CV before sending. You should also write a tailored cover letter that will make up the body of your email. Try to find a contact within the company to send your email to. You may be able to find this on the company website. If not, you’ll have to send the email to the general recruitment team.

Speculative email example

Subject: CV for eco-minded digital marketing professional 

Dear Mr. Parsons,

My name is Carl Adamson and I am a qualified digital marketing professional with over 3 years’ experience. After researching your company, I am sending my CV in the hope that you will consider me for any opportunities to work in digital marketing for Eco-future.

Over the last 3 years, I have worked as a digital marketing assistant for another eco-minded business, The Green Way. During my tenure, I have generated over £.25mil revenue solely through my email marketing and paid advertising campaigns.

I believe my innovation and passion for marketing are a key driver behind my campaigns’ success, and I am now looking to achieve new levels of growth for a different company.

Although you are not actively hiring, I feel I am very aligned with Eco-future’s mission to reduce deforestation and therefore took the initiative to send you my CV.

I hope you consider my attached CV for any suitable job opportunities. I would be very grateful to discuss my skill set with you in-person.

Yours sincerely,

Carl Adamson

Make the first move

Sending speculative CVs is a great way to speed up the job hunt process. It’s a way for you to create the opportunities you want, rather than settling for whatever’s out there. Just be sure to keep it as personal as possible by tailoring your CV and cover letter.

Ready to change your career? Apply from your phone with the SonicJobs app!