DAM layoffs
transferable skills aplenty
In an environment where tech layoffs are all around us, what should you do if you are laid off from your DAM job? Like I wrote last year, many of us have arrived in this field by a circuitous route. Hopefully, that journey has given us a few off-ramps in skills, career paths, and networks.
Let’s start with skills. If you are a DAM pro, you are organized, tech-savvy, and good with people. You have most likely worked in content, creative, marketing, and IT departments across industries as varied as education, entertainment, technology, and publishing. When job hunting, job title keywords (we know so well, thanks, metadata!) like digital asset management are obvious, but also search for DAM owner, product manager, or marketing operations roles tied to asset management.
As for career paths, several DAM pros I’ve worked with have moved to the vendor side, into art director or creative director roles, or into technology team management. Take a minute and think about why you want a robust DAM in the first place - if it is to organize creative assets maybe you should transfer your skills into studio leadership, if to power a CMS maybe a content role is a better fit. If the tech has been driving your career, investigate openings where DAM development is more of the focus.
Finally, you will probably have a pretty broad network to rely on for leads. Think back on everyone you have worked with that understood the value of your DAM work at past companies as well as industry peers. You have probably made several colleagues’ work lives easier - remind them of that when casting a wide net for your next job. Within the DAM world, there are several LinkedIn, Meetup, and Discord groups to access as well as speakers from DAM conferences to connect with or follow. Speaking of conferences, some of my favorite DAM people were actively looking for jobs at past conferences while also improving their skills and connecting with other DAM pros and vendors.
I will not be Susie Sunshine about job loss, but I will say if you are like me and grow through trauma, you may find yourself pushed to find a new role that better serves your financial, professional, and intellectual goals, or at least pays the rent while you keep looking. Hoping this industry season passes soon and we all end up in roles where our skills, career paths, and networks flourish.