INDUSTRY SECTORS
Sales and Marketing A
career in sales involves business development, promoting a business, obtaining orders and maintaining customer relationships. Marketing, on the other hand, involves the maximising of profits through developing strategies and promoting products, services and ideas that cater to the demands of the market. Sales encompasses two possible areas of work: Retail sales and corporate sales. A career in retail sales, though less “glamourous”, tends to give early responsibility and fast career progression, thanks to its rapid expansion. On the other hand, corporate sales require a greater amount of strategy and an integration of multiple soft skills. While salespeople are mainly involved in promoting business growth, marketing professionals will need to work closely with colleagues across several departments to successfully expand the organisation’s reach. This may include the sales team, market research team and production and distribution staff. With the rise of social media marketing, graduates should also be digitally-savvy and have a strong awareness of market trends.
You will need… • Commercial awareness • Communication skills • Resilience • To be a team player • Problem-solving skills
Types of employers • Manufacturers • Product vendors/distributors • Consumer banks • Insurance companies • Corporate firms
Types of jobs • Sales • Business development • Store management • Brand management • Marketing executive • Market research • Merchandising • Social media specialist
Job-hunting tips • Research employers and their products thoroughly before applying – candidates are often given case studies and role plays within interviews. This also applies to marketing roles • During job interviews for a marketing role, an ability to market oneself is a reflection of an applicant’s capability to market a product. Show confidence and demonstrate a capacity to think out of the box with concrete examples from past experiences • Experience regarding dealing with customers is extremely important. It will make interviews easier if candidates can draw on their own previous working experiences
Work experience For retail sales, part-time or summer jobs in stores over school holidays are excellent opportunities to gain experience. Internships in corporate sales are less common, so hopefuls may want to dig for roles where they will be exposed to dealing with customers or clients. Relevant internship work experience is useful if a marketing role is sought. Experience in marketing activities and experience gained through on-campus events or clubs and societies can also be beneficial for the job hunt.
Deadlines Companies usually recruit salespeople and marketers year-round, as and when needed. 134 |
directory 2022
Did you know? Customer service, as well as sales and marketing expertise, are still in demand despite technological advancements. For instance, sales and marketing professionals with experience in the fields of big data, e-commerce and digital transformation are highly valued.
