Retail managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of department stores, chain stores, supermarkets and independent shops.
They look after staff management, including taking on and training new staff, maintaining a good standard of customer care and increasing sales and profitability.
In large stores, there may be more than one manager, each responsible for a specific department.
Managers usually work around 35 hours a week, within the opening hours of the shop or store. This includes weekend work and often late night openings during the week. The environment is busy and often noisy, and the work involves standing, walking, bending and stretching.
Salaries range from around £12,500 for new retail managers, up to around £65,000 for managers of large stores.
A retail manager should:
know the company's products and procedures and relevant legislation
be committed to a high level of customer service
be confident, quick-thinking and able to lead and motivate a team
have excellent spoken and written communication skills
be able to take responsibility and make decisions
enjoy working in a busy, lively environment.
Nearly three million people work in retail jobs across the UK, so there are good opportunities for finding work. There are jobs for retail managers with national and international companies, and independent retailers of all sizes.
There are no set academic requirements to work in retail, but GCSEs/S grades may be expected, and A levels/H grades are also useful. Various useful specific qualifications are on offer, including national awards, foundation degrees and degrees. Apprenticeships may be available to start work in retail - many people start as sales assistants and work up through training and promotion. There is no upper age limit for entry, and mature applicants with relevant experience are welcomed.
Larger retail businesses have their own training schemes, including graduate trainee management schemes. Managers can study while working for retail qualifications such as NVQs/SVQs in retail operations, and BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Retail Management.
There may be opportunities for promotion in larger businesses to senior manager, area manager or a head office management position, though this may mean moving to a different location. Experienced and enthusiastic managers in independent shops and stores may be able to progress to similar positions in larger businesses.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Telesales Role
Telesales operators work within a business or call centre, contacting potential customers by telephone. Their job is to try and persuade customers to buy the company's goods and services or accept a trial.
Using carefully targeted information, they make outgoing telephone calls. Telesales operators have only a short amount of time to build a strong rapport with customers and explain the features and benefits of the product. The work is fast paced and intense. They may also carry out market research and satisfaction surveys. Other tasks include:
updating documentation and databases with customer details
arranging for payment and dispatch of goods and services.
Full-time staff usually work 37 hours a week, but as businesses remain open at weekends and in the evenings, shift work is common. Part-time opportunities are widely available. A telesales operator usually works in an open plan office, with a sectioned workstation containing a computer and telephone headset.
Salaries for telesales operators range from around £10,550 to £23,000 a year.
A telesales operator needs:
excellent communication and listening skills
a polite, confident and friendly manner
to be able to show initiative
to be confident using computers
to enjoy working with customers and building relationships.
There are approximately 57,000 telesales operators employed in the UK, within contact centres as well as small businesses. Finance and retail companies and distribution centres are the largest employers. Jobs are UK wide, with concentrated pockets of employment around cities and industrial parks, particularly in the South East.
There are no set entry qualifications. Employers may look for good sales techniques and some may ask for GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3). Customer service experience is useful, and good hearing and clear speech are important. Mature applicants are welcomed.
Training is on the job and may include in-house training courses and the opportunity to work towards a range of NVQs/SVQs and professional qualifications. Apprenticeships for new staff may be offered by some of the larger contact centres.
With experience, it might be possible to become a team leader or move into sales management. There are also opportunities in related fields, such as complaint handling, training or marketing
Using carefully targeted information, they make outgoing telephone calls. Telesales operators have only a short amount of time to build a strong rapport with customers and explain the features and benefits of the product. The work is fast paced and intense. They may also carry out market research and satisfaction surveys. Other tasks include:
updating documentation and databases with customer details
arranging for payment and dispatch of goods and services.
Full-time staff usually work 37 hours a week, but as businesses remain open at weekends and in the evenings, shift work is common. Part-time opportunities are widely available. A telesales operator usually works in an open plan office, with a sectioned workstation containing a computer and telephone headset.
Salaries for telesales operators range from around £10,550 to £23,000 a year.
A telesales operator needs:
excellent communication and listening skills
a polite, confident and friendly manner
to be able to show initiative
to be confident using computers
to enjoy working with customers and building relationships.
There are approximately 57,000 telesales operators employed in the UK, within contact centres as well as small businesses. Finance and retail companies and distribution centres are the largest employers. Jobs are UK wide, with concentrated pockets of employment around cities and industrial parks, particularly in the South East.
There are no set entry qualifications. Employers may look for good sales techniques and some may ask for GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3). Customer service experience is useful, and good hearing and clear speech are important. Mature applicants are welcomed.
Training is on the job and may include in-house training courses and the opportunity to work towards a range of NVQs/SVQs and professional qualifications. Apprenticeships for new staff may be offered by some of the larger contact centres.
With experience, it might be possible to become a team leader or move into sales management. There are also opportunities in related fields, such as complaint handling, training or marketing
Sales Manager Role
Sales managers organise a team of sales representatives and devise strategies for the team to use to maximise sales and customer loyalty. They may be responsible for sales in a specific geographical area, nationally or even worldwide.
Duties may include:
recruiting and training a team of sales representatives
devising a marketing plan and setting sales targets for their team
allocating territories (geographical areas) for each sales representative to cover
monitoring the work of the team to encourage them to meet their sales targets.
Hours are usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but some late evening and weekend work may be required. Sales managers are normally office based, although they may be required to travel long distances to attend conferences and meet clients.
Salaries may range from around £15,000 to more than £70,000 a year. Most companies offer a basic salary with a bonus or commission scheme.
Sales managers should be:
excellent organisers, with the ability to prioritise and allocate work
good communicators, in person, on the phone and in writing
enthusiastic, ambitious and self-motivated
knowledgeable about their products and those of their competitors
interested in managing and motivating people.
Sales managers can be found in all job sectors. Some of the major areas of employment include finance, manufacturing, retail, distribution and information technology. There is a constant demand for skilled sales managers, and there are opportunities throughout the UK and overseas.
There are no set qualifications, and many sales managers are promoted into the job after three or four years' experience in sales, and with a strong record of achievement. An increasing number of employers are recruiting applicants with higher education qualifications. Most subjects are acceptable, but a degree or an HNC/HND in a subject related to sales, marketing or business is most relevant. It is possible to become a sales manager at any age, but most are in their mid-twenties or older.
Most companies provide in-house training on their products, organisation and the methods used for sales and sales administration. This could be done at head office or an external training centre. A number of NVQs and professional qualifications in sales and marketing are available through the relevant professional bodies.
Promotion possibilities depend on sales results. Successful sales managers may be able to progress into senior management positions, such as sales director, or take responsibility for larger areas. Some sales managers may become national account managers. It may be possible to move into research and product development.
Duties may include:
recruiting and training a team of sales representatives
devising a marketing plan and setting sales targets for their team
allocating territories (geographical areas) for each sales representative to cover
monitoring the work of the team to encourage them to meet their sales targets.
Hours are usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but some late evening and weekend work may be required. Sales managers are normally office based, although they may be required to travel long distances to attend conferences and meet clients.
Salaries may range from around £15,000 to more than £70,000 a year. Most companies offer a basic salary with a bonus or commission scheme.
Sales managers should be:
excellent organisers, with the ability to prioritise and allocate work
good communicators, in person, on the phone and in writing
enthusiastic, ambitious and self-motivated
knowledgeable about their products and those of their competitors
interested in managing and motivating people.
Sales managers can be found in all job sectors. Some of the major areas of employment include finance, manufacturing, retail, distribution and information technology. There is a constant demand for skilled sales managers, and there are opportunities throughout the UK and overseas.
There are no set qualifications, and many sales managers are promoted into the job after three or four years' experience in sales, and with a strong record of achievement. An increasing number of employers are recruiting applicants with higher education qualifications. Most subjects are acceptable, but a degree or an HNC/HND in a subject related to sales, marketing or business is most relevant. It is possible to become a sales manager at any age, but most are in their mid-twenties or older.
Most companies provide in-house training on their products, organisation and the methods used for sales and sales administration. This could be done at head office or an external training centre. A number of NVQs and professional qualifications in sales and marketing are available through the relevant professional bodies.
Promotion possibilities depend on sales results. Successful sales managers may be able to progress into senior management positions, such as sales director, or take responsibility for larger areas. Some sales managers may become national account managers. It may be possible to move into research and product development.
Sales Representative Role
Sales representatives sell their company's products or services to customers. They could be selling cleaning or food products, ICT or electronics components, medicines and pharmaceuticals, vehicles, cosmetics - in fact almost any kind of product or service. Their customers may be individuals, businesses, factories or retail outlets.
Direct sales representatives sell directly to individuals in their homes, demonstrating products or leaving catalogues for customers to choose from. Technical sales representatives and sales engineers work in the industrial, engineering or ICT sectors, selling industrial, specialised or high-tech equipment, materials and components.
Working hours can be long and irregular, and usually depend on meeting targets for appointments or for sales. Sales representatives visit customers at their homes, offices or factories, which requires a lot of driving. If they cover a large area, they may spend most of the week travelling and staying in hotels.
Salaries range from around £15,000 to £50,000 or more a year.
A sales representative should be:
enthusiastic, ambitious and self-confident
a natural extrovert and good at networking
persuasive and good at negotiating
able to take rejection
knowledgeable about the company's products and those of their competitors
interested in meeting new people.
Sales representatives work for manufacturers and wholesale distributors in every sector. About 14 per cent of representatives are self-employed or work freelance, often on a commission-only basis. There is always a need for skilled sales representatives and there are opportunities throughout the UK and abroad.
There are no set entry qualifications for sales representatives, although most employers do ask for a minimum of GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) in English and maths, or the equivalent. An increasing number of applicants have higher qualifications, and a degree or an HNC/HND in a related subject may be useful.
New sales representatives usually work with experienced sales staff until they become familiar with the product and the area they will cover. Most companies provide training on their products, organisation and the sales methods they use. They may also take a range of courses and qualifications in sales, including the City & Guilds International Vocational Qualification (IVQ) in Sales and Marketing.
Promotion possibilities for sales representatives depend on their sales results. Progression may involve taking on responsibility for a larger area or moving into sales management. Some sales representatives become national account managers, working closely with one or more large organisations and businesses. Technical sales representatives sometimes move into product development, research and production.
Direct sales representatives sell directly to individuals in their homes, demonstrating products or leaving catalogues for customers to choose from. Technical sales representatives and sales engineers work in the industrial, engineering or ICT sectors, selling industrial, specialised or high-tech equipment, materials and components.
Working hours can be long and irregular, and usually depend on meeting targets for appointments or for sales. Sales representatives visit customers at their homes, offices or factories, which requires a lot of driving. If they cover a large area, they may spend most of the week travelling and staying in hotels.
Salaries range from around £15,000 to £50,000 or more a year.
A sales representative should be:
enthusiastic, ambitious and self-confident
a natural extrovert and good at networking
persuasive and good at negotiating
able to take rejection
knowledgeable about the company's products and those of their competitors
interested in meeting new people.
Sales representatives work for manufacturers and wholesale distributors in every sector. About 14 per cent of representatives are self-employed or work freelance, often on a commission-only basis. There is always a need for skilled sales representatives and there are opportunities throughout the UK and abroad.
There are no set entry qualifications for sales representatives, although most employers do ask for a minimum of GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) in English and maths, or the equivalent. An increasing number of applicants have higher qualifications, and a degree or an HNC/HND in a related subject may be useful.
New sales representatives usually work with experienced sales staff until they become familiar with the product and the area they will cover. Most companies provide training on their products, organisation and the sales methods they use. They may also take a range of courses and qualifications in sales, including the City & Guilds International Vocational Qualification (IVQ) in Sales and Marketing.
Promotion possibilities for sales representatives depend on their sales results. Progression may involve taking on responsibility for a larger area or moving into sales management. Some sales representatives become national account managers, working closely with one or more large organisations and businesses. Technical sales representatives sometimes move into product development, research and production.
Sales Manager Role
Sales managers organise a team of sales representatives and devise strategies for the team to use to maximise sales and customer loyalty. They may be responsible for sales in a specific geographical area, nationally or even worldwide.
Duties may include:
recruiting and training a team of sales representatives
devising a marketing plan and setting sales targets for their team
allocating territories (geographical areas) for each sales representative to cover
monitoring the work of the team to encourage them to meet their sales targets.
Hours are usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but some late evening and weekend work may be required. Sales managers are normally office based, although they may be required to travel long distances to attend conferences and meet clients.
Salaries may range from around £15,000 to more than £70,000 a year. Most companies offer a basic salary with a bonus or commission scheme.
Sales managers should be:
excellent organisers, with the ability to prioritise and allocate work
good communicators, in person, on the phone and in writing
enthusiastic, ambitious and self-motivated
knowledgeable about their products and those of their competitors
interested in managing and motivating people.
Sales managers can be found in all job sectors. Some of the major areas of employment include finance, manufacturing, retail, distribution and information technology. There is a constant demand for skilled sales managers, and there are opportunities throughout the UK and overseas.
There are no set qualifications, and many sales managers are promoted into the job after three or four years' experience in sales, and with a strong record of achievement. An increasing number of employers are recruiting applicants with higher education qualifications. Most subjects are acceptable, but a degree or an HNC/HND in a subject related to sales, marketing or business is most relevant. It is possible to become a sales manager at any age, but most are in their mid-twenties or older.
Most companies provide in-house training on their products, organisation and the methods used for sales and sales administration. This could be done at head office or an external training centre. A number of NVQs and professional qualifications in sales and marketing are available through the relevant professional bodies.
Promotion possibilities depend on sales results. Successful sales managers may be able to progress into senior management positions, such as sales director, or take responsibility for larger areas. Some sales managers may become national account managers. It may be possible to move into research and product development.
Duties may include:
recruiting and training a team of sales representatives
devising a marketing plan and setting sales targets for their team
allocating territories (geographical areas) for each sales representative to cover
monitoring the work of the team to encourage them to meet their sales targets.
Hours are usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but some late evening and weekend work may be required. Sales managers are normally office based, although they may be required to travel long distances to attend conferences and meet clients.
Salaries may range from around £15,000 to more than £70,000 a year. Most companies offer a basic salary with a bonus or commission scheme.
Sales managers should be:
excellent organisers, with the ability to prioritise and allocate work
good communicators, in person, on the phone and in writing
enthusiastic, ambitious and self-motivated
knowledgeable about their products and those of their competitors
interested in managing and motivating people.
Sales managers can be found in all job sectors. Some of the major areas of employment include finance, manufacturing, retail, distribution and information technology. There is a constant demand for skilled sales managers, and there are opportunities throughout the UK and overseas.
There are no set qualifications, and many sales managers are promoted into the job after three or four years' experience in sales, and with a strong record of achievement. An increasing number of employers are recruiting applicants with higher education qualifications. Most subjects are acceptable, but a degree or an HNC/HND in a subject related to sales, marketing or business is most relevant. It is possible to become a sales manager at any age, but most are in their mid-twenties or older.
Most companies provide in-house training on their products, organisation and the methods used for sales and sales administration. This could be done at head office or an external training centre. A number of NVQs and professional qualifications in sales and marketing are available through the relevant professional bodies.
Promotion possibilities depend on sales results. Successful sales managers may be able to progress into senior management positions, such as sales director, or take responsibility for larger areas. Some sales managers may become national account managers. It may be possible to move into research and product development.
The Role of Marketing Manager
Marketing plays an important role in almost every industry sector. In its simplest form, it is about ensuring that customers' needs are met whilst maximising the profits of a company. A marketing manager's responsibilities can vary enormously, but will always have this as a central objective.
Daily tasks and duties will depend on the company size, structure and industry sector but may include:
monitoring and analysing market trends
studying competitors' products and services
exploring ways of improving existing products and services, and increasing profitability
identifying target markets and developing strategies to communicate with them.
Most marketing managers work 37 hours a week, between the hours of 9am and 6pm. As with many jobs with tight deadlines, they may be expected to work additional hours at certain times to ensure that targets are met. Some positions may require a lot of travel, particularly when working for an international company.
Salaries can range from around £25,000 a year for someone new to the role, to £40,000 or more for a senior manager.
A marketing manager should:
have knowledge of a wide range of marketing techniques and concepts
be an excellent communicator
be able to respond well to pressure
think creatively
be interested in what motivates people
All industry sectors employ marketing managers. Jobs are generally concentrated around major cities such as London, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool. This is a popular area of work so competition can be intense.
There are no set entry routes, but marketing managers often progress into the role after gaining several years of marketing experience, possibly as an executive or assistant, or in a specialist role such as advertising or brand manager. Typically, employers look for graduates.
On-the-job training is complemented by professional marketing qualifications. These range from introductory certificates to advanced level qualifications.
A successful marketing manager may be able to progress to more senior posts such as marketing director or even managing director. It may be possible to work abroad.
Daily tasks and duties will depend on the company size, structure and industry sector but may include:
monitoring and analysing market trends
studying competitors' products and services
exploring ways of improving existing products and services, and increasing profitability
identifying target markets and developing strategies to communicate with them.
Most marketing managers work 37 hours a week, between the hours of 9am and 6pm. As with many jobs with tight deadlines, they may be expected to work additional hours at certain times to ensure that targets are met. Some positions may require a lot of travel, particularly when working for an international company.
Salaries can range from around £25,000 a year for someone new to the role, to £40,000 or more for a senior manager.
A marketing manager should:
have knowledge of a wide range of marketing techniques and concepts
be an excellent communicator
be able to respond well to pressure
think creatively
be interested in what motivates people
All industry sectors employ marketing managers. Jobs are generally concentrated around major cities such as London, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool. This is a popular area of work so competition can be intense.
There are no set entry routes, but marketing managers often progress into the role after gaining several years of marketing experience, possibly as an executive or assistant, or in a specialist role such as advertising or brand manager. Typically, employers look for graduates.
On-the-job training is complemented by professional marketing qualifications. These range from introductory certificates to advanced level qualifications.
A successful marketing manager may be able to progress to more senior posts such as marketing director or even managing director. It may be possible to work abroad.
Marketing and Advertising
Getting messages seen and heard by defined target markets is the aim of people working in marketing, public relations and advertising. Most jobs in this sector require a team approach to conduct research, develop ideas and create campaigns that communicate specific messages.
The industry can broadly be divided into people who work within an organisation, and those who work for an agency, where teams are appointed to provide specialist services to paying clients. Both areas offer jobs in:
brand management - getting to know customers, tracking competitors, product development and creating an identity
advertising - developing concepts, words and artwork, booking media space, managing client relationships, sourcing specialists like photographers, film directors and scriptwriters for advertising placed on terrestrial and digital TV, radio and the internet, and in magazines and newspapers
sales and marketing - planning direct marketing and promotional activities, producing literature, creating website content, communicating to staff, organising launch parties, exhibitions and conferences, and negotiating sponsorship deals
public relations - securing positive media coverage as a spokesperson for a company or organisation.
Whilst most jobs are office based, people may have to travel, sometimes long distances, to visit clients and attend events. Long hours may be required to meet a deadline. Some work part time or, in the case of telesales, shifts. Freelance work is possible, but more common in public relations, exhibitions and copywriting.
Around 150,000 people work in marketing and advertising, over a third in telesales and sales functions. Employers range from large companies and organisations to smaller businesses, and advertising and public relations agencies. Larger employers tend to be based around major UK cities, especially London, and the South East.
Employers usually look for a broad range of communication, interpersonal and creative skills. They also require enthusiasm, the ability to work within a larger team and self-motivation. Employers specialising in promoting a particular industry sector usually require people with knowledge of that sector.
There are no set entry requirements, but competition for jobs means that many entrants, even for junior positions, have an HND, Foundation degree or degree. Candidates with relevant work experience may be at an advantage.
Much of the training is on the job, relating to each employer's type of business, products or services. Specialised external courses are also offered by professional organisations and training centres.
The sector offers opportunities at all levels. Promotion is often available in larger companies and agencies. Opportunities may be more limited in smaller companies, and people may need to change employer to progress
The industry can broadly be divided into people who work within an organisation, and those who work for an agency, where teams are appointed to provide specialist services to paying clients. Both areas offer jobs in:
brand management - getting to know customers, tracking competitors, product development and creating an identity
advertising - developing concepts, words and artwork, booking media space, managing client relationships, sourcing specialists like photographers, film directors and scriptwriters for advertising placed on terrestrial and digital TV, radio and the internet, and in magazines and newspapers
sales and marketing - planning direct marketing and promotional activities, producing literature, creating website content, communicating to staff, organising launch parties, exhibitions and conferences, and negotiating sponsorship deals
public relations - securing positive media coverage as a spokesperson for a company or organisation.
Whilst most jobs are office based, people may have to travel, sometimes long distances, to visit clients and attend events. Long hours may be required to meet a deadline. Some work part time or, in the case of telesales, shifts. Freelance work is possible, but more common in public relations, exhibitions and copywriting.
Around 150,000 people work in marketing and advertising, over a third in telesales and sales functions. Employers range from large companies and organisations to smaller businesses, and advertising and public relations agencies. Larger employers tend to be based around major UK cities, especially London, and the South East.
Employers usually look for a broad range of communication, interpersonal and creative skills. They also require enthusiasm, the ability to work within a larger team and self-motivation. Employers specialising in promoting a particular industry sector usually require people with knowledge of that sector.
There are no set entry requirements, but competition for jobs means that many entrants, even for junior positions, have an HND, Foundation degree or degree. Candidates with relevant work experience may be at an advantage.
Much of the training is on the job, relating to each employer's type of business, products or services. Specialised external courses are also offered by professional organisations and training centres.
The sector offers opportunities at all levels. Promotion is often available in larger companies and agencies. Opportunities may be more limited in smaller companies, and people may need to change employer to progress
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