Download Should I Pursue A Career In Marketing?

Should I Pursue A Career In Marketing?
Marketing consistently ranks as one of the most popular professions for MBA students and college
graduates. It offers you a broad range of experiences and work with a diverse range of companies and
industries. Marketing provides the link between a society's material requirements and its economic
patterns of response. Marketing careers are the best field for people who like to strategize and identify
patterns and trends. It also promises a structured career path for growth and development.
However, marketing can also be a high-pressure job with constant travel taking a toll. The competition
is high, and both breaking into and maintaining your position in marketing can be rigorous. So before
entering the industry it’s important to understand not only do you have the appropriate skill sets, but
also how well it fits your personality.
What is Marketing?
Marketers are sellers and brand-builders, hired by companies who need expertise and perspective on
business development and to publicize their product or services. Typical tasks include approximating
the need for products or services, distinguishing potential markets for products or services,
monitoring trends, developing pricing and sales strategies and working with staff in public relations,
product development and sales departments. Some marketing firms specialize on market research,
whereas others may concentrate on the technology side. One may be a “boutique firm” and specialize
in a specific function or industry while others may be a one-stop shop with verticals covering all
industries and areas.
Typically a marketer engages in the following activities:
 Market Research. You need to compile data and gather information about consumers’ needs
and preferences
 Strategy and Plan. You have to strategize on how you publicize or increase the market reach
of your product. This could include making presentations on how to approach forward.
 Analysis. You need to study about the current market trends and see what type of marketing is
working in which product space.
 Sales. You will also be required to strategize the best way of selling your company’s products
and then implement it. You will talk to various potential clients and negotiate to complete the
deal.
 Reporting. You need to document your work in a report and present it to your client in a
logical and convincing manner.
Industries Where Marketers Are Found
There are a number of industries in which marketers can offer their expertise. Let’s look into some of
the more popular options.

Advertising & Public Relations. Ever want to improve the way ads run on TV? How about
helping manage the rollout of new products and working to improve the perception of those
products by the media? If these possibilities interest you, then you could be well suited to jobs
in advertising or public relations (PR). The core activity is to take a product be it small or large
and construct promotional campaigns that get people excited about the product. On the PR side
you will help to manage the perception of the products. PR firms help companies, non-profits
and governments manage everything from speeches and the look of brochures to major crises.

Market Research. Market researchers figure out what drives people to buy a particular
product. Market researchers are applied consumer behaviouralists, combining quantitative data
with their understanding of how markets work to better promote a product. Market
researchers use tools such as statistical analysis packages, surveys, mystery shopping, focus
groups and new product tests to help achieve success for a product.

Public Relations. Public relations (PR) is the practice of managing the spread of information
between an individual or an organization (such as a business, government agency, or a
nonprofit organization) and the public. Common responsibilities include designing
communications campaigns, writing content for news, working with the press, arranging
interviews for company spokespeople, preparing clients for press conferences, media
interviews and speeches, writing website and social media content, and marketing activities
like brand awareness and event management

Retail. Retail is one of the largest, most dynamic part of the world economy. Careers in retail
are people-oriented, fast-paced, and have room for creativity. Retailing jobs are worth taking a
good look at, particularly if you are looking for a service-oriented, entrepreneurial profession.
The options are many including store management, buying, merchandising and central
management.

Non-Profit. Non-profit organizations include non-business functions such as governments.
There are many different types of jobs in non-profit areas ranging from social causes, helping
causes and also jobs in the arts, government, religious organizations, public health and
museums. The aim is to deliver a message about the organization's services to the applicable
audience. An increasing trend is toward "social entrepreneurialism" or "venture philanthropy"
where funds invest in projects and measure their return by impact made.

Product and Brand Management. Product managers are responsible for the marketing and
development of products such as sports cars, insurance policies, and sporting goods. Jobs in
product management are both strategic and tactical. Product management professionals also
tend to be on the leading edge of social and Internet culture. Understanding the consumer's
mind and the connection between consumer behavior and a brand is central to succeeding in
product management jobs.

Internal Marketing. Some corporations have set-up internal marketing units from which
marketers are staffed to identify key areas to focus upon. The role is the same as the external
marketer, except you are now bound to a single client.
Skills & Talents Required
Careers in marketing require knowledge of market research, consumer behavior, sales, visual arts and
general marketing. Experience as a sales rep or buyer or in advertising or public relations is a plus,
As you grow and evolve within your organization, the skills required will also change – the role of a
Digital Marketer will be different to that of a PR Person. We are focusing on entry-level requirements
and skills that firms are focusing on when hiring marketers.

Sales. You may be staffed on the task of selling the company products through various means.
You need to show the presence of mind while dealing and negotiating with people.

Creativity. You need to be able to connect with people. You need to know what exactly will
work in marketing your products and services and always come up with new ideas to execute
them. Firms will especially try gauge your creative strength and how you think “outside of the
box.”

Team Player. You will be interacting and working with other team members in your firm and
with not only your company but a range of employees at the other firms.

Strong Communication Skills. Do you like interacting with people? Are you comfortable
presenting and defending your ideas to a group? As a Marketing or PR person, you will require
excellent copy-writing skills and must also be able to make a very professional presentation
that is persuasive and yet flexible.

Analytical Skills. Market-Research Analysts research market conditions by collecting,
organizing, and interpreting data from local, regional, national, or other areas to determine
potential sales of a product, service, or retail facilities. Firms will probe into your analytical
skills, and ability to process and apply information.

Open to change. As a marketer you will be working with a range of industries, companies and
business problems which brings a lot of excitement and learning to the job, but at the same time
there is no set routine. You need to adapt to the situation, firm and client you are working. In
some instances you may be hired from step one and in others you are brought in as a last resort
measure. Your strategy and approach needs to tailored to the situation at hand.
A combination of both quantitative and qualitative skills will provide the right balance to excel in a job
in marketing - research, data analysis, forecasting and so on will help you assess the issue but you also
need to convey and implement the solutions within the organization in hand with your team.
Is It Right For Me?
Before you jump into recruitment phase, take your time and consider these factors:
1. Internal Evaluation. Take a step back and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Does your
personal situation allow you to travel extensively? Are you comfortable with market research
or presenting ideas to a large group of people? Look at the expectations the firm has and
truthfully answer if those are a match for you.
2. Do Your Homework. Even though you believe you have the required skills, aptitude, attitude
that marketing firms are looking for, dig deeper. Research the companies that you are
targeting, as each company has it’s own ethos and working style. What are their core
competencies and policies. Identify firms which are the ideal fit for you.
3. Speak to people in the Industry. If you have friends or family members who are marketers,
talk to them about their experiences. Ask them about both the positive and negative elements
they have faced. Understand what their career trajectory and if possible spend a few days
shadowing them to get a complete understanding of the work.
4. Summer Internship. If you are still in college or school, then spend a summer interning at a
marketing firm. This is a ideal way for you to understand the true dynamics of marketing.
Marketing as a career provides you broad based exposure; it hones in on both your analytical and
communication skills, provides a platform to work with a range of business issues, industries and
companies, and the opportunity to travel to a number of new locations. However, due to the diversity
and intensity of the role, it can also be a very challenging career. It’s important to thoroughly do your
research and ideally an internship, before making your career choice.