For many marketing professionals, the mid-career phase is a crossroads. You’ve earned your colors, achieved some success, but now you may feel stagnant, unchallenged, or unsure of your next step. This can be especially frustrating in today’s fast-paced marketing landscape, where evolving technologies and economic uncertainties add complexity to career decisions.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

According to Gallup, more than half of mid-career professionals feel disengaged at work. And the results of a recent LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Survey reveal that about 50% of marketers (and those in adjacent fields) will hunt for a new job in 2025. But you can regain momentum and build a fulfilling career by taking intentional steps.

Ask Yourself: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Before making a move, evaluate your current situation honestly. Start by reflecting on these key questions:

  1. Am I learning new skills and staying current in my field?
  2. Do I feel challenged and motivated in my role?
  3. Are there clear opportunities for growth and advancement?

If you’re answering “no” to these, it may be time to explore new opportunities. Consider what you’re truly seeking: is it better work-life balance, a more dynamic company culture, meaningful work that aligns with your values, better benefits or salary? Being clear about your goals will make your search more focused and successful.

Take Action: Small Steps to Move Forward

  1. Maximize LinkedIn and Showcase Your Expertise

Recruiters and hiring managers rely heavily on LinkedIn to find candidates. Ensure your profile is up-to-date, includes measurable achievements, and uses relevant keywords to appear in searches. A strong LinkedIn headline that highlights your value proposition—rather than simply stating your current job title—can set you apart.

-> PRO TIP: See Jeff Su’s Youtube video on the 5 Must-Know Tips for Job seekers on LinkedIn: Are you optimized for recruiters and your dream job?

  1. Leverage Recruiter Relationships

Partnering with a recruiter is an excellent way to discreetly explore new opportunities. Recruiters can provide market insights, position your resume effectively, and connect you with roles that align with your experience and aspirations. Here are three firms specializing in mid-career marketing placements:

  • Korn Ferry: Global expertise in professional and executive searches.
  • Creative Circle: Specializes in marketing, creative, and digital roles.
  • Russell Reynolds Associates: Focuses on executive roles in marketing and communications.
  1. Focus on Networking for Value

Reconnect with former colleagues, mentors, and industry peers. Attend events that can expand your “bridging capital” (connections across industries or skill sets) as well as your “bonding capital” (relationships with peers in your field).

→ Check out AMA Boston’s upcoming events here.

  1. Prepare for Today’s Job Search Realities

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) and AI-driven hiring tools are now the norm. Tailor your resume for each role, incorporating keywords from the job description. For online submissions, avoid PDFs(unless required), as some ATS platforms may not parse them properly.

→ PRO TIP 1: See AMAB blog post, which offers a three-pronged framework for standout resumes that you won’t find anywhere else: Through Lines, Hinges, and Sponges.

→ PRO TIP 2: See AMAB blog post, which has a list of free resources to get ramped-up with GenAI quickly: Will GenAI stifle and dilute our brands? Not if we build a balanced, intentional strategy around it.

Timing Is Everything

Market dynamics and industry trends can influence your job search. Understanding where companies are in their growth cycle and how they fit within the broader economy will help you position yourself effectively. Finally, if personal or professional demands leave you short on time for job searching, lean on a recruiter to do the heavy lifting. They’ll proactively present opportunities that fit your goals, freeing you up to focus on preparing for the next step.

The Bottom Line

Mid-career slumps are common, but they don’t have to define your future. By reflecting on your goals, updating your professional brand, leveraging technology, and building relationships with recruiters, you can regain control of your career trajectory.

Read more about navigating mid-career transitions in Korn Ferry’s article: How to Job Search as a Mid-Career Professional.

Author

  • Michelle Massa

    Michelle has more than 20 years of experience in marketing, sales, market research, and storytelling, including seven years of collaboration with edtech company, Emeritus, on marketing and content initiatives. As a strategic partner, she helped drive organizational growth by crafting marketing assets for more than 75 online certificate programs across every topic and university partner, including MIT, Wharton, Columbia, Stanford, and London Business School. She is passionate about lifelong learning, authentic brand-building, and data-driven results, particularly for higher education, healthcare, and B corps. Michelle holds a Master of Science in global marketing from a top-ranked European university and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Stonehill College.

    View all posts Flexible Marketing Resource & Consultant at Vital Assets Marketing, LLC