Marketing encompasses an enormous number of actual jobs, so selecting a career in this field can be confusing. Imagine if you said you wanted a job in "health care," how many possibilities that would include; marketing offers about the same variety. When people think of marketing, they often think of market research or sales, but it actually includes public relations and advertising careers as well. A career in marketing can be exciting and lucrative, but first you have to make some decisions about what path you will take.
Instructions
1. Research! Scour the want ads and the Internet job sites for help wanted postings that seem interesting to you. It may sound like a strange place to start, especially if you haven't even gone to school for marketing yet, but reading job descriptions can give you some real insight into what a job will require of you. Forging ahead without a clear picture of the goal is fruitless, but knowing what you want will help you achieve success.
2. Evaluate your skills. This one can be tough, so you may need to enlist the help of friends, teachers or supportive family members. Just make a list of what you are good at--communicating, persuading, whatever you excel in should be on the list. If you are outgoing and unafraid to talk to new people, put that on the list. This list will be your roadmap to choosing your career and helping you select a job in the marketing field.
3. Take a career assessment. Popular job hunting sites, such as Monster.com, CareerPath.com and Yahoo offer quizzes and surveys to help you select your perfect career in marketing. These may seem simple, but they can really help you on your way to the right position.
4. Match your skills to a job. If you are great at writing and have a talent for persuasion, then advertising will probably be your best bet. Your career could be as a copywriter or a PR professional. If you are fascinated by people and their needs and wants, you will probably be best suited for market research or purchasing.
5. Keep an open mind. Even though you may think you are perfect for a career in advertising, you may find an opportunity to work in another specialty in the marketing field. Consider each opportunity carefully and don't automatically dismiss one--it may lead to the perfect job down the line.
Tags: career marketing, market research, marketing field, perfect career, will probably, your skills