A Recruiter Can Help You Land the Medical Sales Job You've Been Dreaming Of
Sales jobs in the medical or pharmaceutical fields can be both exciting and challenging. As a sales job seeker, you might be baffled to see all the opportunities available, but a recruiter can make landing that dream job a little easier. Medical sales job recruiters act as a liaison for you and potential employers. A recruiter can not only put you in touch with a potential employer, but will often take care of the initial job interview process. Before you ever go for the job interview, the recruiter has already taken steps to ensure that you're the perfect candidate for the job!
The benefits of allowing a medical sales job recruiter to help you find employment are many. Perhaps you'd like to do a lot of traveling while working in medical or pharmaceutical sales. Many sales and marketing jobs do require lots of travel, but this often means finding an employer out of state or even out of the country. You might live in the United States but desire to work for a company in the UK. With the assistance of a sales job recruiter, you'll likely expand your opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. A recruiter can connect you with well-paying, solid companies that you may have never heard of.
A recruiter can also save you time and help you find the best possible employment to match your personality, skills and desired salary level. Keep in mind that medical sales job recruiters not only help job seekers; they actually work for the hiring companies. Those companies are paying for recruitment services and expect only highly qualified candidates to be presented at interviews. This means the recruiter must not only help you find a medical sales job, but also make sure your skills and needs match the requirements of the employer. This benefits you because you won't be matched with jobs that fall short of what you're seeking. It's a win-win situation for you and the employer.
Online Sales Job Opportunities
With the Internet, your opportunities for landing a dream medical sales job are many. The Internet knows no borders so you can find a job locally or abroad. If you want a sales job recruiter to help you, look for websites that connect recruiters with job seekers. At a sales recruitment website, you can look for a job recruiter that specializes in your field. In the sales job arena, there will be recruiters for medical sales jobs, advertising sales jobs, IT sales jobs, media sales jobs, and many others.
Some online job sites promote medical sales vacancies and allow you to apply directly to companies. Either way, you'll benefit by being able to conduct your job searches at home and submit your resume to as many companies as you want. You can search by location, company or the type of job you're seeking. For instance, if you desire a pharmaceutical sales job in the southeastern U.S., a job search site or recruitment site allows you to narrow your search to pharmaceutical sales jobs in that area. You won't have to contact hundreds of companies aimlessly to find out if they're hiring or not. The job sites and/or recruiters will do the groundwork for you.
Resume Tips for Online Sales Job Searches
Before applying with an online recruiter or directly with a medical sales company, be sure to have an up-to-date copy of your resume on hand in both a Word document format and a text file format. Most online companies allow you to submit your resume online using one of these formats. You may be asked to attach your resume to an email or browse and attach the resume file in a Web form. Some may even ask you to copy and paste your resume into a text field on the form. If copying and pasting, it's advisable to copy from a text file to avoid formatting issues.
Visit a medical sales job recruiter website today to start your journey to a new, rewarding career!
To learn more about subjects like medical sales jobs please visit the web site at: http://www.salesrecruitmentjobsite.com
Saturday 8 November 2008
Wednesday 5 November 2008
CV Preparation
Now, assuming that you are a new graduate asking how to write a resume, your educational degree/s should be listed next. What educational facility or facilities you attended, for what time period, and the degree/s you earned.
Space down a few times, and state your career objective. Be careful when doing this, however; employers are not happy to see objectives which they define as too general, explain exactly what skills you are hoping to utilize for their company, let them know also what you are hoping to become more proficient at while employed at their company.
Go down a couple more spaces, and then start listing your employment history, starting with the position that you held most recently, and working back from there. Include here not only your duties, but any special projects that you took on while you were there, accomplishments, improvements you made, and any committees that benefited from your contribution.
Give special homage to and of these activities that you excelled at, which relate to the job you are presently seeking, of course.
Once you have listed your employment history, space down some more and list your extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, as well as any special designations you may have. For instance, if you are looking for work in the legal field and are already certified as a Notary Public, definitely mention this, as Notaries Public are very important in many fields of law, as well as in some other professions.
If all of this information can fit on one page, that is the way most employers prefer it. However, do not ever leave out anything pertinent to the job you are applying for just to save space, by all means, go on to a second sheet of paper.
Now, this is only one example of how to write a resume. If you would like to explore perhaps some more sophisticated options, or just would like a variety to mull over, you have plenty of things that you can do.
You can locate a resume template, even download it if you choose and be quite confident that you will be formatting everything correctly.
You could also contact a resume writing service, or seek advice from the Placement Office at your college or university. There are endless options for you, the sky's the limit, so go forth and create a resume to get you the job of your dreams!!
Space down a few times, and state your career objective. Be careful when doing this, however; employers are not happy to see objectives which they define as too general, explain exactly what skills you are hoping to utilize for their company, let them know also what you are hoping to become more proficient at while employed at their company.
Go down a couple more spaces, and then start listing your employment history, starting with the position that you held most recently, and working back from there. Include here not only your duties, but any special projects that you took on while you were there, accomplishments, improvements you made, and any committees that benefited from your contribution.
Give special homage to and of these activities that you excelled at, which relate to the job you are presently seeking, of course.
Once you have listed your employment history, space down some more and list your extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, as well as any special designations you may have. For instance, if you are looking for work in the legal field and are already certified as a Notary Public, definitely mention this, as Notaries Public are very important in many fields of law, as well as in some other professions.
If all of this information can fit on one page, that is the way most employers prefer it. However, do not ever leave out anything pertinent to the job you are applying for just to save space, by all means, go on to a second sheet of paper.
Now, this is only one example of how to write a resume. If you would like to explore perhaps some more sophisticated options, or just would like a variety to mull over, you have plenty of things that you can do.
You can locate a resume template, even download it if you choose and be quite confident that you will be formatting everything correctly.
You could also contact a resume writing service, or seek advice from the Placement Office at your college or university. There are endless options for you, the sky's the limit, so go forth and create a resume to get you the job of your dreams!!
Tuesday 28 October 2008
Direct Selling
Direct selling, also known as multilevel marketing or MLM, lets ordinary people become self-employed consultants selling the products/services of one or more companies.
Before choosing which company is best , a person needs to know what s/he hopes to get out of a direct selling business: a couple of hundred bucks a month? A couple thousand? Monthly parties and free stuff? A career with lots of networking and promotional opportunities? The loftier a person’s goals, the more important it is to choose the right direct sales company. The next step is to study each potential MLM business.
Determining Sales Potential
Is the product/service fantastic? Selling is no easy thing, even when people love what they're selling. But if an independent consultant has doubts that what s/he is selling is the best thing around, it is going to be nearly impossible to sell to others.
Is the product/service reasonably priced? Many direct sales companies price their products quite steeply, leaving a lot of potential buyers thinking “Well, if it was cheaper I would…” Potential consultants need to take an objective view at the prices (or, if personal objectivity is impossible, ask friends and family members) to make sure that potential clients won’t be turned away by sticker shock. On the other hand, a few MLM businesses price their products so cheaply that it becomes difficult for a person to make any real amount of money selling them.
How many consultants are in the local area? Many MLM companies want as many independent consultants as possible, and don’t care if an area becomes overcrowded. But the last thing a consultant wants to hear is “Sorry, but I already bought from someone else.” Ideally, there will be only 1 consultant for every 10,000+ people, but some of the huge direct sales companies have about 1 consultant for every 250 people! Remember, not everyone in the area is a likely buyer, and not all buyers are going to be return customers, so it is important to have plenty of room for growth, especially if someone hopes to make a career out of this.
What does the competition look like? Even if a person is the only consultant in the local area, there can still be a lot of competition from other direct sales companies or even from retail stores that provide similar products/services (often at a lower price). The ideal MLM company company sells a line of products that is not easy to find otherwise, but that is not so unusual that people won’t want to buy it.
How much money can a consultant make? This is not something a person can usually figure out from the direct sales company itself. Sometimes MLM businesses will provide information like “If you have just two parties a week, you will make $750 a month,” but such estimates are rarely realistic. Instead, people need to learn to judge for themselves.
Determining Company "Fit"
Beyond selling, what is expected of independent consultants? Some MLM companies take care of sales tax, others expect consultants to. Some process credit cards, some don’t. Some ship directly to the customer, others prefer to ship to you. Some require a certain amount of inventory, recruiting, or training. What exactly the direct selling company requires is not quite so important as how the potential consultant feels about doing those things.
What is the company’s reputation?The internet is a great resource here! Search for the company name, along with the words “review” or “scam”. One or two dissatisfied customers or disgruntled ex-consultants need not raise a red flag, but tread lightly if there are legions of unhappy people.
For people eager to start making money, going through the process of selecting the best MLM company can feel time-consuming and frustrating. But it is much better than spending thousands of dollars and countless hours on a direct sales business that was never going to make much money. Good luck!
Before choosing which company is best , a person needs to know what s/he hopes to get out of a direct selling business: a couple of hundred bucks a month? A couple thousand? Monthly parties and free stuff? A career with lots of networking and promotional opportunities? The loftier a person’s goals, the more important it is to choose the right direct sales company. The next step is to study each potential MLM business.
Determining Sales Potential
Is the product/service fantastic? Selling is no easy thing, even when people love what they're selling. But if an independent consultant has doubts that what s/he is selling is the best thing around, it is going to be nearly impossible to sell to others.
Is the product/service reasonably priced? Many direct sales companies price their products quite steeply, leaving a lot of potential buyers thinking “Well, if it was cheaper I would…” Potential consultants need to take an objective view at the prices (or, if personal objectivity is impossible, ask friends and family members) to make sure that potential clients won’t be turned away by sticker shock. On the other hand, a few MLM businesses price their products so cheaply that it becomes difficult for a person to make any real amount of money selling them.
How many consultants are in the local area? Many MLM companies want as many independent consultants as possible, and don’t care if an area becomes overcrowded. But the last thing a consultant wants to hear is “Sorry, but I already bought from someone else.” Ideally, there will be only 1 consultant for every 10,000+ people, but some of the huge direct sales companies have about 1 consultant for every 250 people! Remember, not everyone in the area is a likely buyer, and not all buyers are going to be return customers, so it is important to have plenty of room for growth, especially if someone hopes to make a career out of this.
What does the competition look like? Even if a person is the only consultant in the local area, there can still be a lot of competition from other direct sales companies or even from retail stores that provide similar products/services (often at a lower price). The ideal MLM company company sells a line of products that is not easy to find otherwise, but that is not so unusual that people won’t want to buy it.
How much money can a consultant make? This is not something a person can usually figure out from the direct sales company itself. Sometimes MLM businesses will provide information like “If you have just two parties a week, you will make $750 a month,” but such estimates are rarely realistic. Instead, people need to learn to judge for themselves.
Determining Company "Fit"
Beyond selling, what is expected of independent consultants? Some MLM companies take care of sales tax, others expect consultants to. Some process credit cards, some don’t. Some ship directly to the customer, others prefer to ship to you. Some require a certain amount of inventory, recruiting, or training. What exactly the direct selling company requires is not quite so important as how the potential consultant feels about doing those things.
What is the company’s reputation?The internet is a great resource here! Search for the company name, along with the words “review” or “scam”. One or two dissatisfied customers or disgruntled ex-consultants need not raise a red flag, but tread lightly if there are legions of unhappy people.
For people eager to start making money, going through the process of selecting the best MLM company can feel time-consuming and frustrating. But it is much better than spending thousands of dollars and countless hours on a direct sales business that was never going to make much money. Good luck!
Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs
Although I had always thought about a job in medical science, the idea of marketing only came after a holiday job with a roofing contractor! I was instantly attracted by the challenge of selling. Looking around, I saw the pharmaceutical industry as the ideal arena in which to combine my two interests of medicine and marketing.
I joined a large international company with a breadth of opportunity and a commitment to high quality training. It was also a company that appeared to have a very human face, where people were important. The 'people' aspect of the company was never more evident than in my first few months. Like all new graduates who enter the industry I began with intensive product training before going out on the road......working on my own initiative, but very much part of a team.
On many early sales visits I was accompanied by either my regional sales manager or a field trainer. They provided valuable and practical advice, not least about how to deal with the frustrations as well as the success. Much of my time was spent visiting GP's. Sometimes a difficult task but one that taught me so much about both the tactics of selling and the needs of the medical profession. I had originally set out with the aim to progress quickly from representative to an office based marketing post. My ideas changed, however, as I became more involved in the process of selling. I was working with a great team and excellent products - I won the Top Rep award for 1992 and a promotion too. So I stayed a little longer, preparing myself for a future role with a marketing evening class and other training courses, all fully supported by my company.
Benefits and Incentives
Although a clear career path exists in selling - with marvellous benefits and incentives - I eventually made the move to Head Office with a post as product manager. This involved overseeing the marketing of particular products, with a real breadth of skills required. I needed to supplement my knowledge of selling tactics with a broader strategic view of marketing. I was involved extensively in campaign planning and training. And I needed to understand the complete market range, encompassing both ethical (prescription) and consumer demands. When I first became product manager I was supported by a mentor, a more senior colleague who was there to help when needed. My company recognise that learning never stops. What the company does is make the process easy, by both formal and informal routes. My mentor was a great help to me, as were the numerous courses I attended. In my role as product manager I had to take a longer term view of what amounted to success. It' s only now, some six months after having left the job, that the fruits of my efforts are showing with a 250% increase in sales of a previously slow selling product.
Extensive Multi Tasking
My new post is in product training. This wasn't something that I had originally planned for, but opportunities frequently appear at very short notice. I had previously talked to senior managers concerned with graduate development about-my future aims. It was recognised that this move would increase my skill set. Whereas in marketing, the focus is often very tight, my current job demands extensive multitasking. Organising intensive training for new employees and new products is very demanding. Importantly for me it has broadened my experience and is bringing me face-to-face with new problems....and their solutions!
Support and Reward
The pharmaceutical industry today is truly global; it never stands still, and is also constantly developing within my company' s three divisions there is a wealth of opportunity and within the marketing function one is always at the sharp end. The time I have spent could not have been more exciting, nor more rewarding. Extensive travel, real responsibility and a culture in which you know you will be both supported in, and rewarded for, your ambitions and achievements.
Author: Royce Plc, Knutsford, Kingston, Edinburgh
I joined a large international company with a breadth of opportunity and a commitment to high quality training. It was also a company that appeared to have a very human face, where people were important. The 'people' aspect of the company was never more evident than in my first few months. Like all new graduates who enter the industry I began with intensive product training before going out on the road......working on my own initiative, but very much part of a team.
On many early sales visits I was accompanied by either my regional sales manager or a field trainer. They provided valuable and practical advice, not least about how to deal with the frustrations as well as the success. Much of my time was spent visiting GP's. Sometimes a difficult task but one that taught me so much about both the tactics of selling and the needs of the medical profession. I had originally set out with the aim to progress quickly from representative to an office based marketing post. My ideas changed, however, as I became more involved in the process of selling. I was working with a great team and excellent products - I won the Top Rep award for 1992 and a promotion too. So I stayed a little longer, preparing myself for a future role with a marketing evening class and other training courses, all fully supported by my company.
Benefits and Incentives
Although a clear career path exists in selling - with marvellous benefits and incentives - I eventually made the move to Head Office with a post as product manager. This involved overseeing the marketing of particular products, with a real breadth of skills required. I needed to supplement my knowledge of selling tactics with a broader strategic view of marketing. I was involved extensively in campaign planning and training. And I needed to understand the complete market range, encompassing both ethical (prescription) and consumer demands. When I first became product manager I was supported by a mentor, a more senior colleague who was there to help when needed. My company recognise that learning never stops. What the company does is make the process easy, by both formal and informal routes. My mentor was a great help to me, as were the numerous courses I attended. In my role as product manager I had to take a longer term view of what amounted to success. It' s only now, some six months after having left the job, that the fruits of my efforts are showing with a 250% increase in sales of a previously slow selling product.
Extensive Multi Tasking
My new post is in product training. This wasn't something that I had originally planned for, but opportunities frequently appear at very short notice. I had previously talked to senior managers concerned with graduate development about-my future aims. It was recognised that this move would increase my skill set. Whereas in marketing, the focus is often very tight, my current job demands extensive multitasking. Organising intensive training for new employees and new products is very demanding. Importantly for me it has broadened my experience and is bringing me face-to-face with new problems....and their solutions!
Support and Reward
The pharmaceutical industry today is truly global; it never stands still, and is also constantly developing within my company' s three divisions there is a wealth of opportunity and within the marketing function one is always at the sharp end. The time I have spent could not have been more exciting, nor more rewarding. Extensive travel, real responsibility and a culture in which you know you will be both supported in, and rewarded for, your ambitions and achievements.
Author: Royce Plc, Knutsford, Kingston, Edinburgh
Want to work in Sales & Marketing ?
People who work in Sales & Marketing
There are many benefits of beginning a commercial career as a medical representative in the pharmaceutical industry. The pay’s good, and, because you’re often working at home or out on the road, you benefit from a company car and laptop computer.
Although having a degree isn’t absolutely essential, companies prefer to take on graduates as trainees, or people with nursing, marketing or ethical sales experience. This doesn’t mean you need a science degree - far from it – as long as your academic background can demonstrate your ability to assimilate information at a suitable academic level. About 50% of the 9,000 medical representatives in the UK have a science degree, the other 50% are mainly graduates from other academic disciplines.
A common first role in medical sales is that of medical representative, which mostly involves promoting prescription products to GPs and hospital doctors, pharmacists and nurses. You can expect to undergo an initial training course, which will teach you all about the products, therapy area, and how to promote them in a very competitive environment. The PMCPA Code of Practice requires medical representatives to take and pass an examination covering their knowledge of the human body, pathology and pharmacology, body systems and three specialist topics selected from a list of 15. These include disease areas, immunology and pharmacology. The exam must be passed within two years of taking up a position as a medical rep in the UK.
You’ll also need to demonstrate some analytical and planning skills, to enable you to determine where to get the most business from your allocated territory. Teamwork is very important too, as you’re likely to working with two or three other representatives from the same company and sharing the same sales results.
To move on from this position, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’re able to deliver on your sales and activity results. Many medical representatives make their next move in sales training, area management or product management (marketing).
Marketing encompasses such diverse areas as Brand Marketing, Market Development, Market Research and Marketing Communications. Within these areas you might develop positioning and pricing strategies, prepare launch plans, work with agencies, develop and implement promotional campaigns, prepare sales materials for representatives and patient education. As you gain more experience in marketing, it’s possible to move on to roles such as senior product manager, group product manager, marketing manager and marketing director. Alternatively, or in addition, you can supplement your career development by moving back into sales management as national sales manager/regional business director, where you’ll be managing area managers.
There are many benefits of beginning a commercial career as a medical representative in the pharmaceutical industry. The pay’s good, and, because you’re often working at home or out on the road, you benefit from a company car and laptop computer.
Although having a degree isn’t absolutely essential, companies prefer to take on graduates as trainees, or people with nursing, marketing or ethical sales experience. This doesn’t mean you need a science degree - far from it – as long as your academic background can demonstrate your ability to assimilate information at a suitable academic level. About 50% of the 9,000 medical representatives in the UK have a science degree, the other 50% are mainly graduates from other academic disciplines.
A common first role in medical sales is that of medical representative, which mostly involves promoting prescription products to GPs and hospital doctors, pharmacists and nurses. You can expect to undergo an initial training course, which will teach you all about the products, therapy area, and how to promote them in a very competitive environment. The PMCPA Code of Practice requires medical representatives to take and pass an examination covering their knowledge of the human body, pathology and pharmacology, body systems and three specialist topics selected from a list of 15. These include disease areas, immunology and pharmacology. The exam must be passed within two years of taking up a position as a medical rep in the UK.
You’ll also need to demonstrate some analytical and planning skills, to enable you to determine where to get the most business from your allocated territory. Teamwork is very important too, as you’re likely to working with two or three other representatives from the same company and sharing the same sales results.
To move on from this position, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’re able to deliver on your sales and activity results. Many medical representatives make their next move in sales training, area management or product management (marketing).
Marketing encompasses such diverse areas as Brand Marketing, Market Development, Market Research and Marketing Communications. Within these areas you might develop positioning and pricing strategies, prepare launch plans, work with agencies, develop and implement promotional campaigns, prepare sales materials for representatives and patient education. As you gain more experience in marketing, it’s possible to move on to roles such as senior product manager, group product manager, marketing manager and marketing director. Alternatively, or in addition, you can supplement your career development by moving back into sales management as national sales manager/regional business director, where you’ll be managing area managers.
The Medical Sales Role
Medical Sales
Medical Sales representatives are employed by pharmaceutical companies to promote medicines to doctors and pharmacists. You are largely your own boss. Your company car is your office but need room at home to store company gifts and samples. Constant people contact but can be lonely. Can spend a lot of time sitting in doctors waiting rooms. A useful route into areas such as marketing and sales management. Can progress in sales to sales management, or move to marketing or training. Promotion depends on mobility, experience and ability.
PROFILE: Medical Sales Representative
INVOLVES: Visiting doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists etc to make presentations on medicines developed by the pharmaceutical company you work for. Tasks include:
Arranging appointments with doctors, hospital consultants, nurses, midwives, pharmacists etc.
Making presentations on medicines developed by the pharmaceutical company you work for to them.
Organising symposia for doctors.
Managing budgets (for catering, outside speakers etc.).
Learning about new products.
Keeping chemists informed e.g. which drugs GPs are likely to prescribe.
Attending company's regional meetings.
There is an initial training course lasting 6 to 8 weeks covering sales and product training and background physiology and anatomy. Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry exam must be passed within first two years.
EMPLOYERS: Pharmaceutical Companies
RELATED JOBS: media sales, other sales jobs, marketing, clinical research associate (this involves arranging clinical trials of new medicines on volunteer patients with doctors.
SATISFACTIONS: Lots of independence. Largely your own boss. Company car
NEGATIVES: 'Lots of driving & waiting in doctors waiting rooms.' Can be lonely.
SKILLS: spoken communication persuading, negotiating, listening, being able to work independently, driving.
ADVANCEMENT: Can move into sales management, sales training or marketing.
DEGREE: Any degree subject is acceptable. Life sciences or medically-related degrees are useful.
VACANCY SOURCES: Careers Service Vacancy Lists, Daily Telegraph (Thursday), New Scientist, Recruitment Agencies.
TIPS: Work shadow a medical representative - this can sometimes be arranged via your medical centre: ask the receptionist for the business cards of visiting reps. Your local pharmacist will also have good contacts. Contact the major pharmaceutical firms. Try to get some experience of a sales type job. Learn to drive.
Medical Sales representatives are employed by pharmaceutical companies to promote medicines to doctors and pharmacists. You are largely your own boss. Your company car is your office but need room at home to store company gifts and samples. Constant people contact but can be lonely. Can spend a lot of time sitting in doctors waiting rooms. A useful route into areas such as marketing and sales management. Can progress in sales to sales management, or move to marketing or training. Promotion depends on mobility, experience and ability.
PROFILE: Medical Sales Representative
INVOLVES: Visiting doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists etc to make presentations on medicines developed by the pharmaceutical company you work for. Tasks include:
Arranging appointments with doctors, hospital consultants, nurses, midwives, pharmacists etc.
Making presentations on medicines developed by the pharmaceutical company you work for to them.
Organising symposia for doctors.
Managing budgets (for catering, outside speakers etc.).
Learning about new products.
Keeping chemists informed e.g. which drugs GPs are likely to prescribe.
Attending company's regional meetings.
There is an initial training course lasting 6 to 8 weeks covering sales and product training and background physiology and anatomy. Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry exam must be passed within first two years.
EMPLOYERS: Pharmaceutical Companies
RELATED JOBS: media sales, other sales jobs, marketing, clinical research associate (this involves arranging clinical trials of new medicines on volunteer patients with doctors.
SATISFACTIONS: Lots of independence. Largely your own boss. Company car
NEGATIVES: 'Lots of driving & waiting in doctors waiting rooms.' Can be lonely.
SKILLS: spoken communication persuading, negotiating, listening, being able to work independently, driving.
ADVANCEMENT: Can move into sales management, sales training or marketing.
DEGREE: Any degree subject is acceptable. Life sciences or medically-related degrees are useful.
VACANCY SOURCES: Careers Service Vacancy Lists, Daily Telegraph (Thursday), New Scientist, Recruitment Agencies.
TIPS: Work shadow a medical representative - this can sometimes be arranged via your medical centre: ask the receptionist for the business cards of visiting reps. Your local pharmacist will also have good contacts. Contact the major pharmaceutical firms. Try to get some experience of a sales type job. Learn to drive.
Marketing Executive
Marketing executives work to secure the best possible match between the goods or services produced by their organisation and the needs of their actual or potential clients. This could mean conducting market research to find out what customers want, and what they understand about the market, before working with communications, design or production teams within the organisation to develop services and products in line with the research findings. The work involves developing an overall marketing plan, which identifies target markets and marketing opportunities.
Marketing executives spend much of their time writing proposals, reports and promotional briefs, giving presentations, monitoring campaign progress and developing new strategies and ideas.
Entry level
Many employers would expect an applicant for a marketing executive appointment to hold a degree or higher national diploma (HND). Useful degree course subjects include marketing, maths and statistics, economics and business studies. Work experience in marketing, market research or sales is also useful.
There are also postgraduate courses in marketing and export marketing.
Making the grade
Training is often on the job and through short courses organised by professional marketing organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM), the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) and the Communications, Advertising and Marketing Education Foundation (CAM).
CIM offers a range of qualifications from introductory to advanced certificates, and a postgraduate Diploma in Marketing. With three years' relevant marketing experience, you can apply to become a Full Member of CIM and can go on to become a Chartered Marketer.
ISMM offers qualifications including a certificate and advanced certificate in Sales and Marketing and a Diploma in Sales Management. While studying for these qualifications, you can apply to become an ISMM member.
Personal qualities
As a marketing manager, you should be able to think both strategically and creatively in order to recognise and make the most of marketing opportunities. You must have real commercial flair and a thorough understanding of your organisation's business.
Excellent communication and presentation skills would be essential, together with good IT skills and the ability to handle large budgets. In some international organisations, it could be very beneficial to be fluent in one or more foreign languages.
Looking ahead
Marketing is considered to be a good basis for moving into general management and promotion could eventually lead a post such as managing director or chief executive. Additional qualifications in marketing would enhance your chances. Marketing is recognised as one of the most important activities in manufacturing and service industries, and vacancies are generally available throughout the country, although there is usually fierce competition for posts.
Potential employers include manufacturing companies, service providers and public sector organisations. Some marketing executives work freelance, for more than one organisation, or for a marketing consultancy.
Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include advertising executive, direct marketing, market researcher, public relations officer or retail manager.
Take-home pay
You might start as a graduate trainee on around £18,000 to £22,000, increasing with experience to £29,000 to £35,000 a year. You could earn considerably more as a successful marketing director.
Effects
Marketing executives usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Evening and weekend work is sometimes necessary for meeting deadlines, making presentations at meetings and conferences, or attending product launches.
Marketing executives spend much of their time writing proposals, reports and promotional briefs, giving presentations, monitoring campaign progress and developing new strategies and ideas.
Entry level
Many employers would expect an applicant for a marketing executive appointment to hold a degree or higher national diploma (HND). Useful degree course subjects include marketing, maths and statistics, economics and business studies. Work experience in marketing, market research or sales is also useful.
There are also postgraduate courses in marketing and export marketing.
Making the grade
Training is often on the job and through short courses organised by professional marketing organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM), the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) and the Communications, Advertising and Marketing Education Foundation (CAM).
CIM offers a range of qualifications from introductory to advanced certificates, and a postgraduate Diploma in Marketing. With three years' relevant marketing experience, you can apply to become a Full Member of CIM and can go on to become a Chartered Marketer.
ISMM offers qualifications including a certificate and advanced certificate in Sales and Marketing and a Diploma in Sales Management. While studying for these qualifications, you can apply to become an ISMM member.
Personal qualities
As a marketing manager, you should be able to think both strategically and creatively in order to recognise and make the most of marketing opportunities. You must have real commercial flair and a thorough understanding of your organisation's business.
Excellent communication and presentation skills would be essential, together with good IT skills and the ability to handle large budgets. In some international organisations, it could be very beneficial to be fluent in one or more foreign languages.
Looking ahead
Marketing is considered to be a good basis for moving into general management and promotion could eventually lead a post such as managing director or chief executive. Additional qualifications in marketing would enhance your chances. Marketing is recognised as one of the most important activities in manufacturing and service industries, and vacancies are generally available throughout the country, although there is usually fierce competition for posts.
Potential employers include manufacturing companies, service providers and public sector organisations. Some marketing executives work freelance, for more than one organisation, or for a marketing consultancy.
Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include advertising executive, direct marketing, market researcher, public relations officer or retail manager.
Take-home pay
You might start as a graduate trainee on around £18,000 to £22,000, increasing with experience to £29,000 to £35,000 a year. You could earn considerably more as a successful marketing director.
Effects
Marketing executives usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Evening and weekend work is sometimes necessary for meeting deadlines, making presentations at meetings and conferences, or attending product launches.
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