RolePulse

RolePulse

Share this post

RolePulse
RolePulse
Why Being a Marketing Generalist Is Career Suicide

Why Being a Marketing Generalist Is Career Suicide

And what to do next

RolePulse's avatar
RolePulse
Jun 19, 2025
∙ Paid

Share this post

RolePulse
RolePulse
Why Being a Marketing Generalist Is Career Suicide
Share

If you’re in your first 5 years of marketing, you’re probably wrestling with a big question: Should you go broad and try a bit of everything, or go deep and master one skill?

It’s a decision that can shape your career—and no one warns you how high the stakes are. After diving into data, talking to hiring managers, and analysing hundreds of career paths, we’ve got a clear answer: Specialise early.

Here’s why specialising is your fastest path to getting hired, getting paid, and becoming bloody good at what you do—plus a step-by-step guide to make it happen.


Why Being a Generalist Feels Like the Safe Bet

When you’re just starting out, being a “jack-of-all-trades” marketer seems like the smart move. You might think:

  • “If I dabble in content, SEO, paid ads, and social, I’ll be more hireable.”

  • “I’m not sure what I love yet, so I’ll keep my options open.”

  • “Startups love people who can wear multiple hats, right?”

Here’s the catch: Generalists often lack depth. That “marketing experience” on your resume? It might look like this:

  • “Ran paid ads” = Boosted one Instagram post.

  • “Content strategy” = Drafted a blog post in Notion.

  • “Email marketing” = Sent a Mailchimp campaign that tanked.

On paper, it’s something. In reality? It’s not enough to stand out or deliver results.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 RolePulse
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share