subject: How to become a marketing assistant [print this page] A successful marketing campaign must be constantly monitored and maintained. As the Marketing Assistant, it would be your role to help make sure everything runs smoothly.
You'd be responsible for assisting in all areas of a marketing strategy from the development of different elements to their execution. This will include anything from planning market research to organising the distribution of literature, or helping to put on an event.
Often you would be working under a Marketing Manager and carrying out various tasks to help drive the campaign along.
Hours/Environment
You would work a standard 9 to 5 day, five days a week. However, it's not unlikely that you will be needed to work overtime on short notice to help keep to strict deadlines.
Skills and interests
In order to be a good Marketing Assistant, you need to have:
strong consumer and product awareness
good organisational and planning skills
excellent written and verbal communication
the ability to work on multiple projects at one time
the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
good attention to detail and accuracy
strong IT skills
good knowledge of marketing techniques
self motivation
the ability to be a team player
Entry
Although there are no specific qualifications, most entrants are expected to have a degree, Higher National Diploma or another higher education qualification.
The role is open to all graduates, but degrees in marketing, business, economics, mathematics and computing are more likely to be noticed. In some cases it is possible for you to begin working from a post-graduate level and work your way up.
To make your application stronger it would be very useful to build up a level of experience in customer service or a commercial business beforehand.
For a degree course, the minimum entry requirements are five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) and two A levels/three H grades. For a HND, the requirement is four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), plus one A level/two H grades, or equivalent.
For details of qualification equivalents see:
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Access to a Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. If experienced in a related field, you may be able to gain recognition of skills through Accredited Prior Learning (APL). Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.
There is a chance for school leavers and graduates with non-marketing degrees to enter marketing jobs through the The Chartered Institute of Marketing, which offers a number of qualifications. School leavers can study for a Certificate in Marketing if they have 5 GCSEs or equivalent. Non-marketing graduates may be able to study for the Advanced Certificate in Marketing. For further details see the Chartered Institute of Marketing website.
Training
Once you enter a company, as a Marketing Assistant you will be will trained in a number of ways. Often you will shadow the Marketing Manager, receiving one to one guidance as you progress. Training can also include on-the-job training, in-house training or a series of short external courses.
For those employers that prefer qualifications, they can send you to study for a Certificate, Advanced Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Opportunities
Marketing Assistants play an important role in many companies crossing virtually every sector, from government and health to commercial and retail. So your options are open, allowing you to work your way to an industry or company that you are especially interested in.
As you take on more responsibilities and gain experience, you will be able to take your career as a Marketing Assistant up to a Marketing Executive and then from there on to a Marketing Manager.
Annual Income
As a starter, you would be earning anything between 15,000 and 20,000. Once experienced you could start earning up to 26,000 a year.
