Marketing staff are responsible for varied tasks from planning business strategies to promoting a product or service to as many people as possible in the form of websites, events and advertising.
Who can I work for?
A wide array of companies – from small local charities to large multinational firms. Depending on the excellence of the contacts you have forged, a career in freelancing is a possibility.
Where and when can I work?
Basic standard hours. But, like newspapers – another industry working to tight deadlines – the day can end when the job is done as you juggle different accounts like a plate spinner. Overtime, often unpaid, is often a must during busy periods.
What can I earn?
The average UK marketing salary is £32,000. Marketing managers typically start on a salary between £25,000-£40,000. A senior marketing manager can expect to earn up to £50,000 a year.
What are the benefits?
The satisfaction of seeing your campaign really become engrained in your target audience's psyche. There may be opportunities to travel both nationwide and overseas.
Are there chances of promotion?
The higher up the marketing ladder you get, the more substantial the career opportunities available. Successful marketing managers often progress to senior management positions.
What will I be responsible for?
Anything and everything! Attending conferences, product launches and networking events; communication information with colleagues; analysing and researching market trends; identifying target markets; working on marketing campaigns; producing or commissioning promotional material.
What qualifications do I need?
Many employers will expect marketing managers to have graduated in a business or marketing-related degree. They will also prefer them to have completed a professional qualification such as a Chartererd Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma or an Institute of Direct Marketing Diploma in Direct and Interactive Marketing. Staff below the management level will still benefit from these qualifications. A good journalism or PR CV could get you into this profession as many old hacks or spinb doctors make this switch.
Do I need any experience?
This is a competitive field. The more experience the better. You will need to prove you have thrived under responsibility and pressure and have been part of previous successful marketing campaigns.
What attributes are needed?
An ability to meet deadlines under pressure; great written and verbal communication skills; high levels of self-motivation and being able to inspire a team; good inter-personal skills; attention to detail and the ability to multi-task.