If you’re looking to enter the competitive field of sales and marketing management, you’ve probably already made up your mind that doing so professionally is the way to go. There’s likely a large pool of qualified specialists to choose from, and a constant need for talented people in this area. What is rarely discussed, however, is how to go about building a successful career in sales and marketing management. Below, we’ll identify some of the crucial steps that you should follow to ensure that your next move will bring you closer to your goal. We’ll cover everything from gaining pertinent experience to establishing yourself as an expert in your field.

Education

Regardless of whether you’re pursuing a career in sales and marketing management or are already in the field and looking to further your education, proper education is crucial to your success. While a college education certainly isn’t required to enter the field, it will certainly get you started on the right foot. When choosing your field of study, keep in mind that you’ll need to gain some experience before being considered for a management position. A lot of entry-level sales jobs aren’t a prospect of rising through the ranks, so don’t expect to be handed the reins on a marketing department the first day you graduate. Instead, look for jobs that you can slowly work your way up to.

Sales Experience

Having some previous sales experience will likely get you a long way toward securing a job in the field. If you’re looking to break into the industry, consider selling services rather than products. The former can be quite challenging, but it provides you with the opportunity to establish yourself early in your career as a thought leader in your industry. If you’re looking for a product-related sales position, consider selling into one of the B2B marketplaces. Thanks to the growth of online marketplaces, like Shopify, you’ll find many opportunities to gain experience and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. Selling services rather than products will also give you the opportunity to gain experience and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. You’ll simply need to convince clients that your services are worth their while, potentially leading them to become more engaged with your brand and potentially more profitable customers. If you’re a recent graduate, look for a local retail store that’s looking to hire entry-level sales people to work on commission.

Marketing Experience

As we mentioned above, having some previous marketing experience will most certainly get you far in your quest for employment. The more experience you have in the field, the more you’ll be able to contribute to your professional growth. If you’re looking for a marketing-related job, you should again consider selling into one of the B2B marketplaces. Thanks to the explosion of lead generation technologies, like marketing automation software, inbound marketing, and content strategy, creating lead magnets that attract, engage, and qualify potential customers can be quite challenging. If you’re looking for a job in marketing, consider gaining experience in digital marketing or traditional marketing. If you’re able to secure a position in digital marketing, you’ll be able to take on a more technical role, creating lead magnets, building and maintaining the client’s web presence, and analyzing performance. If you’re looking for a job in traditional marketing, you’ll be able to take on a more managerial role, establishing targets, recruiting, training, and supervising other employees. Be sure to gain as much experience as possible before making your decision.

Management Experience

Since we’re on the subject of experience, let’s discuss management experience. Having a proven track record of leading and directing others toward success is a fantastic way to show employers that you’re the kind of person they need to work with. Leading a team of people toward a common goal is something that all too often gets overlooked in favor of just showing up and getting the job done. However, being a capable manager is a great way to show employers that you’re the kind of person they need to work with. Having a team of people working together toward a common goal is a fantastic way to show employers that you’re the kind of person they need to work with. If you’re looking for a job in sales and marketing management, be sure to gain as much experience as possible by leading and managing people. This will give you the strongest chance of being considered for a senior management position.

Networking

Last but not least, we have networking. The more connections you make, the more opportunities you’ll have to succeed. Networking doesn’t just mean connecting with someone who can get you a foot in the door, it can also mean connecting with someone who can help you further your career. The industry is large and constantly changing, which makes it crucial that you keep in touch with leading professionals in your field. Having a pool of people you can reach out to for advice and guidance is an essential component of your success.

Even those who decide that a solitary career in sales and marketing management is a perfect fit for them may not be ready for the big leagues right away. Instead, look for roles that you can gradually work your way up to. If you have a keen eye for opportunity, you may be able to secure a job that will allow you to steadily build up your experience. Keep in touch with existing colleagues, look for connections on LinkedIn, and take the time to become a thought leader in your industry. In doing so, you’ll not only be demonstrating your capacity to successfully lead, but you’ll also be able to position yourself as a person of interest to potential employers who are considering making a move in your direction.