SALES & MARKETING
EXPLORE A CAREER IN SALES & MARKETING
To find out how to start your career and where a career in Sales and Marketing can take you, click the tabs below.
MARKETING MANAGER
Brand Manager, Account Manager
Marketing Managers plan how to promote products, services or brands and oversee all marketing activity
Average salary (a year) - £25,000 to £55,000
Typical hours (a week) - 37 to 40
How to become a Marketing Manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You could do a higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- marketing
- business management
- digital marketing
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels for a higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
Apprenticeships
You could do a marketing manager higher or degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and college qualifications like A levels for a higher or a degree apprenticeship
To view apprenticeship vacancies click here.
Work
You could start as a marketing assistant and complete a qualification while you're working.
Direct application
You could apply directly for management jobs if you've got experience in a related area like sales management, advertising or public relations.
Ideally you'll need knowledge or experience in the following:
- the ability to sell products and services
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- leadership skills
- maths knowledge
- business management skills
- customer service skills
- you will be expected to know how to use a computer and tools to benefit this job
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Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- researching and analysing market trends and your target markets
- creating marketing and social media strategies
- planning and managing the launch of new products and services
- setting budgets, targets and timelines
- working with in-house or external agencies to produce attractive campaigns that increase business
- organising and attending events to meet new and existing clients
- managing budgets and reporting on the effectiveness of campaigns
- managing a team of marketing executives
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You could work in an office or at a client's business
Career Progression / Related Careers
With experience, you could become a regional manager or marketing director. You could also become a brand or account director.
Other related careers
- Social media manager
- Graphic designer
- Web designer
In Job Training
To progress you can access training courses such as:
- Social media workshop
- Search engine optimisation (SEO)
Download our Training Road Map
SALES MANAGER
Sales managers organise, coach and lead teams of sales representatives to work towards agreed targets.
Average salary (a year) - £22,000 to £70,000
Typical hours (a week) - 38 to 40
How to become a Sales manager
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- applying directly
College
You could take a professional qualification like those offered by The Institute of Sales Management (ISM). Qualifications include:
- Level 4 Award in Managing Responsible Selling
- Level 4 Award in Managing a Sales Team
- Level 4 Award in Finance for Sales Managers
- Level 4 Award in Operational Sales Planning
ISM qualifications are designed so that you can study a number of short courses and build up to a full certificate or diploma. You could then work towards a Level 4 Certificate or Diploma in Sales and Marketing Management.
University
For some sales jobs, like hi-tech scientific or engineering equipment, employers may prefer you to have a qualification like a higher national diploma or degree.
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels to do a degree or higher national diploma
Direct applcation
You'll need experience in sales and a record of achieving targets. Most employers will consider your sales and management experience, market knowledge and track record to be more important than your academic qualifications.You could also be considered for specialist sales management jobs if you have a background in designing or manufacturing the products your team are selling. To view vacancies click here.
Ideally you'll need knowledge or experience in the following:
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to sell products and services
- customer service skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- business management skills
- leadership skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- You will be expected to use a computer confidently as part of this job.
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- recruiting and training sales staff
- allocating areas to sales reps
- developing sales strategies and setting sales targets
- providing feedback and coaching to team members
- monitoring the team’s performance and motivating them to reach targets
- compiling and analysing sales figures
- reporting back to senior managers
- keeping up to date with products and competitors
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You could work in branch or in an central office.
Career Progression / Related Careers
- Sales representative
- Regional sales manager
- Marketing executive
- Marketing manager
With experience and a good track record, you could take on larger sales areas or be promoted to regional or national sales manager.
In Job Training
There are many training courses within the industry to help you build your career such as:
- Margin development programme
- Key account management
- Proactive sales management
- Sales coaching and Performance management
- Developing and sales strategy
Download our Training Road Map
SALES ADMINISTRATOR
Sales administration assistant, sales office clerk
Sales administrators process sales orders and payments, arrange deliveries and offer after-sales support.
Average salary (a year) - £15,000 to £24,000
Typical hours (a week) - 38 to 40
How to become a Sales administrator
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
College
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Business and Administration. You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course
Apprenticeships
You could get into this job through a business administrator advanced apprenticeship.
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
To view apprenticeship vacancies click here.
Work
You may be able to work your way into this role by starting as a receptionist or administration support worker and learning on the job.
Direct application
You could apply directly if you've got the relevant skills and knowledge needed to do this job.
Some employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications.
Telephone, typing and IT skills will also be useful.
Ideally you'll need knowledge or experience in the following:
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to sell products and services
- customer service skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- persistence and determination
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- You will be expected to use a computer confidently as part of this job.
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- answering customer enquiries over the phone, by email and face to face
- processing orders, credit checks and payments
- sending out invoices and other paperwork
- updating customer records
- checking stock and re-ordering supplies
- organising deliveries
- providing after-sales support
- typing up documents like letters and reports
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You could work in branch or in an office.
Career Progression / Related Careers
- Sales Assistant
- Sales Representative
With experience, you could become a sales admin team leader, personal assistant or office manager.
In Job Training
There are many training courses within the industry to help you build your career such as:
- Essential sales skills
- Sales training for sales representatives
- Increasing sales on the telephone
- Sales negotiation techniques
Download our Training Road Map
LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES
FIND YOUR NEXT CAREER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- One of the best things about a career in Marketing is the amount of opportunities to specialise in certain areas. You career can evolve in to a related career such as public relations, advertising and merchandising.
- Working in Sales can be very rewarding. Progression from being a Sales Executive is based on performance levels. This career is very results driven and you will gain acknowledgement and often rewards for the result you have achieved.
- If you start of in an entry level job such as sales executive or marketing assistant you could be earning on average £18,500. If you become a manager you can see an average salary of £33,000.
- Every career path is different and how you get a career in the field is down to you. Lots of people decide to take the university route, but you can also start as an apprentice, which is growing in popularity as you learn the skills on the job. You can also get a job by applying if you have the transferable skills.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS TO YOUR NEW START

