Sales General Training

Marketing and Sales: Overview

Sales/Marketing is the management process that identifies, anticipates and satisfies customer requirements profitably. Marketing skills include:

Sales, Advertising, Direct Marketing, Market Research, Promotions and Public Relations.

Studying and working in a marketing field can be challenging and involve skills such as communication, ability to work under pressure, risk taking and problem solving. These skills can be developed from training and experience.

Underoak lists training to help you learn while you work.  Experience and training on the job has proven to be the most effective way to advance your skills in the marketing and sales sector.

Expected Salary

Marketing has various divisions and a wide employment bracket. Starting salaries are:

• £20,000 – £25,000 - Graduate starting salary
• £28,000 – £35,000 - Marketing and Web Content Executive
• £30,000 – £40,000 - Marketing Manager
• £50,000 – £60,000 - Brand Manger
• £28,000 – £35,000 - Marketing Executive
• £60,000 – £70,000 - Sales Director
• £30,000 – £35,000 - Sales Manager

Salaries can also vary by location.

Training

Training: Many employers offer induction training schemes to introduce new employees to the organisation. These schemes are designed according to the structure, culture, and practices of the organisation. As with many roles in marketing other training will be on the job.

Qualifications: A degree or an equivalent qualification is usually required. However, it is possible to become a marketer or a sales person with lower qualifications. You can start on a low position and work your way up with promotions. Promotions are set on the performance and training that is achieved.

There are a variety of short, external courses available, specifically designed for marketing professionals.

Further information on qualifications and training are listed on the Underoak Website.

Underoak lists many short courses to aid you in your career progression. These may be funded individually or through your company (please check the prices with the trainer, as sometimes they often offer a lower price for self funded training). To search these courses, simply type the relevant key words and click on 'request further information' to send your enquiry direct to the trainer.

Related Careers

Generally, the people who study and train for employment in sales and marketing allow a large window of opportunity to advance in their career. Graduates of the Professional Sales & Marketing program are promoted quickly from entry level sales positions, to advanced sales positions and management. If you like working with people and you like being compensated for your efforts and talents, then the professional sales and marketing option is for you.

More Related Careers:

• Adverting Account Executive
• Market Researcher (qualitative/quantitative)
• Press Officer
• Sales Promotion Account Executive
• Public Relations Account Executive
• Advertising Account Manager
• Advertising Account Planner
• Media Buyer

Useful Links

Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM)

U Talk Marketing

Mintel

Marketing Week

Core Skills

The best marketers and salespeople are those who:

• Demonstrate passion, drive and an interest of working in this industry
• Are inquisitive, ask questions regarding brands, marketing, advertising
• Are persuasive and able to influence others
• Are assertive and have 'presence'
• Have a sense of humour about self
• Acts with integrity, can adapt to new situations
• Have self motivation, action/results orientated
• Can work with people from all levels
• Have excellent communication skills
• Positive attitude, is friendly and approachable
• Analytical skills
• The ability to use initiative
• Creativity
• Drive
• Numeracy
• Team work
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Oral and written skills
• Business awareness
• IT skills

Job Sites and Useful Links

Marketing Week

Simply Marketing Jobs

Just Sales and Marketing

Average working hours per week

Job Spotlight

Marketing Executive

The Role
Marketing executives are involved in aspects of marketing, including: planning; advertising; promotion; public/media relations; product development; distribution; sponsorship; and research. The role is often challenging, varied and exciting.

The responsibilities of the role will vary, depending on the size of the organisation and sector, and whether the focus is on selling a product/service or raising awareness of an issue that affects the public.

As many organisations have marketing departments, marketing executives can be found in both the private and public sectors: from the banking, retailing and media industries to voluntary and not–for–profit organisations.

Marketing executives may also be known as marketing assistants or coordinators.

Tasks may include:

• Liaising and building relationships with a range of stakeholders, e.g. customers, suppliers and colleagues
• Developing advertising opportunities, which can involve placing adverts in national, regional and specialist publications or on the radio (depending on the organisation and the campaign)
• Maintaining and building contacts with the media
• Writing and distributing press releases
• Preparing photo shoots
• Managing the production of marketing materials, including leaflets, posters and flyers – this can involve writing and proofreading copy and liaising with designers and printers
• Arranging for the effective distribution of marketing materials
• Maintaining and updating mailing databases
• Organising and attending events and exhibitions
• Securing sponsorship to assist with the publicity and funding of marketing projects
• Carrying out market research and customer surveys to assess demand, brand positioning and awareness
• Evaluating marketing campaigns
• Monitoring competitor activity
• Analysing pricing positions
• Contributing to and developing long–term marketing plans and strategies
• Assisting in the delivery of approved strategies
• Managing budgets
• Supporting the marketing manager and other colleagues

Salary:
£25,000 – £30,000 dependent upon sector and location

Experience:
You will be expected to be trained to degree level, however, this does not necessarily need to be a degree in a related field.

Usually office experience is essential for senior grades; a minimum of three years experience in an administrative capacity is required. A short course will add to your skills and show dedication to the industry.

Career Development

There are many opportunities to develop your career. Once experienced as a marketer opportunities may rise to be self employed or work as a freelancer. There are wide opportunities within the marketing sector such as retail, lecturing and setting up a consulting firm.