Marketing, market research and direct marketing

This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in marketing, market research and direct marketing.

You might also be interested in our information on working in Public Relations and Advertising

What is marketing, market research and direct marketing?

Marketing: A support service which identifies and targets the 'market' of a product. Requires an understanding of consumer trends, needs and desires. Jobs may involve research, planning, promotion and distribution. Marketing is a profession that offers challenge, excitement and variety. It also demands high levels of motivation, commitment, adaptability and perseverance. (Chartered Institute of Marketing).

Market Research: A career in market, social or opinion research is fast-moving, intellectually-challenging and diverse, allowing you to get involved in the key decision-making processes of a wide variety of companies and industries, from global corporations to local authorities (Market Research Society).

Direct Marketing reaches its audience without using traditional channels such as TV, newspapers or radio. Businesses communicate straight to the consumer via fliers, catalogue distribution, promotional letters, and street advertising. It is predominantly used by small to medium enterprises with limited advertising budgets which do not have a well recognized brand message.

Prospects

Prospects is a graduate careers website with profiles on the following jobs marketing executive, sales promotion account executive, market researcher
www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs_advertising_marketing_pr

In addition Prospects have produced a series of sector guides that give insight into a number of industries. The Marketing, Advertising and PR guide includes job titles, jobs, employers, courses and industry information.
www.prospects.ac.uk/marketing

Targetjobs

Targetjobs is a graduate careers website with the following job sector information.
Marketing

Chartered Insitute of Marketing

Discover marketing – what is it really? Job profiles, CV advice – improve job applications, Information on Student Brand Manager schemes, Work placements & Graduate scheme list.
www.getin2marketing.com

Market Research Society (MRS)
Includes video interviews with recent entrants to the industry about their career and motivation in choosing market research.

Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing - U R The Brand

A website dedicated to students looking at marketing as a career option. Information from experts in the field, placement and job opportunities as well as competitions and the chance to upload your campaigns to their website.
www.urthebrand.co.uk

How do I get into it?

Specialist organisations working in this area have produced guides for individuals interested in careers in marketing.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing

www.cim.co.uk/cpd/career/careerguides.aspx

Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM)

All of the qualifications offered by the ISMM are approved by the Government's regulatory body for education - the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA), and is included in the National Qualification Framework.
www.ismm.co.uk/education.php

Simply Marketing Jobs - podcast June 2011

Listen to the first Simply Jobs podcast and explore what you can do to kick-start your job search. With contributions from Friday Media Group’s David Somerville, our own Robert Prosser and recent graduate Steve Rowland.
www.simplymarketingjobs.co.uk

Finding a job or employer in this sector

Chartered Insitute of Marketing - get into marketing

Where can I find marketing jobs and placements

Administrator

Available at the Aldrich library

Campaign

Available at the Aldrich library, St. Peter's House library, Queenwood library and online at: www.campaignlive.co.uk

Marketing

Available at the Aldrich library, Queenwood library and online at:
www.marketingmagazine.co.uk

Marketing Week

Available at the Aldrich library and online at: www.marketingweek.co.uk/

Marketing Managers Info

www.marketingmanagersinfo.co.uk

The Marketer

http://jobs.themarketer.co.uk/

Media Week

www.mediaweek.co.uk/

Brand Republic

www.brandrepublic.com

Mad.co.uk

business insight to professionals in marketing, media, new media, advertising and design.
www.mad.co.uk

round8
finds and develops commercial people for media and digital media companies.
www.round8.com

JustSalesandMarketing

www.justsalesandmarketing.net/

Research magazine

Published monthly by MRS. See also its companion website www.researchjobfinder.com

The Market Research Society have produced a list of companies involved in Mystery shopping. To receive a copy, email membership@mrs.org.uk, and include your full name and postal address.

Recruitment Agencies

Further Information and Useful Links

Marketing

Chartered Institute of Marketing

www.cim.co.uk/home.aspx

Institute of Sales and Marketing Management

Is responsible for establishing benchmarks of professionalism in sales and is accredited by the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA).
www.ismm.co.uk

Utalk Marketing

This website has a help and advice section for those looking into a career in marketing. You will also find a a careers and jobs section with information relating to all aspects of careers in marketing. There is also a searchable database of opportunities in the marketing sector.
www.utalkmarketing.com

Market Research

Association for Qualitative research

www.aqr.org.uk

Market Research Society

This is an international membership organisation for professional researchers and others engaged or interested in market, social and opinion research, offering training programs and qualifications.
www.marketresearch.org.uk

Direct Marketing

Direct Marketing Association
The European marketing and communications sector's largest trade organisation.

Institute of Direct Marketing

Is the first professional body for individual direct marketing practitioners.
www.theidm.com

Key points

  • Marketing is a profession that offers challenge, excitement and variety.
  • Requires an understanding of consumer trends, needs and desires.
  • A career in market, social or opinion research is fast-moving, intellectually-challenging and diverse.

Resources

Related links