Marketing, specifically account management

[W333]

Morning chaps. I hope all is well. Poor rant/plea for help enclosed below.

Due to imminent circumstances in my current employment, the timing for a career change could never be better. I'm a 23yr old Marketing graduate with 18 months account management experience in a sales environment, but I would like to get into account management for marketing firms, ideally with an agency. I'm not a creative but I have proven and referenced account management and business development experience that I think would work well alongside creative teams.

Unfortunately I am not getting much joy. Most of the recruitment firms are pushing me towards IT sales roles (been there, done that), and not helping me with my aims. In fact, so far they appear to have completely ignored what I have asked for. As a result, I am getting a bit demoralised. Asides from the BIG marketing firms I don't really know who to target, how to proceed and where I can get any advice. I'm looking in the SE/home counties area, or London.

Does anyone have any contacts or tips? I have approached a couple of marketing specific recruitment firms, but I'm reaching a bit of a brick wall.

Thanks for anything in advance, it really is much appreciated.

[Simond S]

W333 said:

Morning chaps. I hope all is well. Poor rant/plea for help enclosed below.

Due to imminent circumstances in my current employment, the timing for a career change could never be better. I'm a 23yr old Marketing graduate with 18 months account management experience in a sales environment, but I would like to get into account management for marketing firms, ideally with an agency. I'm not a creative but I have proven and referenced account management and business development experience that I think would work well alongside creative teams..

Unfortunately I am not getting much joy. Most of the recruitment firms are pushing me towards IT sales roles (been there, done that), and not helping me with my aims. In fact, so far they appear to have completely ignored what I have asked for. As a result, I am getting a bit demoralised. Asides from the BIG marketing firms I don't really know who to target, how to proceed and where I can get any advice. I'm looking in the SE/home counties area, or London.

Does anyone have any contacts or tips? I have approached a couple of marketing specific recruitment firms, but I'm reaching a bit of a brick wall.

Thanks for anything in advance, it really is much appreciated.

I think you are looking for the holy grail in a very difficult climate. You havent got a great track record behind you nor a client base that you can move with you. In short you are an expensive asset.

I would propose that you listen to what the recruitment firms are telling you. They have a vested interest in finding you a job, without that they are just spending time talking to you.

Also, I read the "IT sales roles (been there, done that)" quote and thought "what a tt". Not a personal thing but you are 23, you havent been there and done that yet. There are sales guys on here who after 20 years selling still havent done it all.

We are recruiting for telecom / IT junior sales people. £16k start off with basic salary aligned to profit produced. If good someone will be on a £60k package in 2 years. Unfortunately most graduates feel that starting at the bottom is beneath them, hence we have ample opportunities to be filled.

[W333]

Simond S said:

I think you are looking for the holy grail in a very difficult climate. You havent got a great track record behind you nor a client base that you can move with you. In short you are an expensive asset.

I'm not looking for the holy grail, what I want is a starting point - how did anyone who works in a marketing role ever get into a marketing role?

Simond S said:

Also, I read the "IT sales roles (been there, done that)" quote and thought "what a tt". Not a personal thing but you are 23, you havent been there and done that yet. There are sales guys on here who after 20 years selling still havent done it all.

Thanks for your positive thoughts. I started at the bottom, on £16k with OTE in an IT telesales firm (you would probably know them); utterly soul destroying, despite the fact that I met my targets.

I sympathise with the fact that you have spaces unfilled due to graduates not wanting to start at the bottom, but I can guarantee that I have no compunction with that. However, in the IT/telecoms sales sector what makes your company any different from the others? How do you generate business? How realistic is the OTE? What is the drop out rate of employees? There is no point pissing around in a sales firm in your sector trying to mop up the accounts in the database that nobody can crack into or wants to touch, all the decent accounts are usually taken or so tied up with their incumbent supplier that there is no point even ringing.

[jammiedodger26]

I'm an account manager working in marketing, more specifically social media.

The jobs are out there, I found quite a few back towards the beginning of the year when I was looking to move.

At 23, and with little marketing experience, you're looking to be an Account Executive really, moving up through the ranks as you gain more experience.

To be honest, account management is about knowing your client, the market, and how to handle people...you are the middle-man between creatives and clients, so you get kicked from both ends! But then, I'm sure you already know that from your previous experience.

Keep an eye out on marketing specific recruitment sites:

Chinwag.com
simplymarketingjobs.com

That sort of thing.

Hope that helps, let me know if you want any guidance at all getting into the marketing arena!

[Mobile Chicane]

Ad agencies are shedding experienced staff left, right and centre at the moment.

My suggestion to you would be to offer to work for free (along with all the countless other thousands) and hope you make enough of an impact that a permanent job can be had at the end of it.

However bear in mind that the starting salary for a graduate Account Exec in London is £14k. £20k tops.

[plg]

W333 said:

Thanks for your positive thoughts. I started at the bottom, on £16k with OTE in an IT telesales firm (you would probably know them); utterly soul destroying, despite the fact that I met my targets.

I sympathise with the fact that you have spaces unfilled due to graduates not wanting to start at the bottom, but I can guarantee that I have no compunction with that. However, in the IT/telecoms sales sector what makes your company any different from the others? How do you generate business? How realistic is the OTE? What is the drop out rate of employees? There is no point pissing around in a sales firm in your sector trying to mop up the accounts in the database that nobody can crack into or wants to touch, all the decent accounts are usually taken or so tied up with their incumbent supplier that there is no point even ringing.

Sorry, but I echo there others - you might have tried it - but you haven't "been there and done that" at 23. The roles may start at that level, but true account management (rather than tele/contact/transactional sales) rises to good base of £130k+ basic / £250k OTE in the right sector and the right experience.

If you have a track record of doing your numbers, everything else is irrelevant (especially your questions around drop out, etc). Good sales people can sell ice to eskimos.

Edit: added; Account Management IS NOT marketing. Marketing is marketing. Anything with an OTE that is hard revenue targeted is generally sales. Marketing may have an OTE, but that would be geared around lead generation and campaigns.

Edit 2: 18 months is not solid experience. It's a starter, but just that. On most CVs we see, <3 yrs at a company rings alarm bells. Multiple <3 yrs rings even more. Exceptions for contractors and those that relocate for family, etc.

Edited by plg on Thursday 11th November 22:34