What are Entry Level Marketing Jobs?

Entry-level marketing jobs require workers to design and create marketing strategies to increase sales and improve revenue in this career path. Entry-level marketers might design storyboards for advertisements to promote specific products or services in their marketing experience. They might perform market research by conducting or evaluating surveys or issue press releases to notify potential clients of available offerings.They can also work with social media marketing platforms for digital marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) work, like an SEO specialist or account coordinator for brand management. As an entry-level marketer, you must create and maintain relationships with customers, like messaging them, and industry professionals so clients choose your company to meet their marketing and advertising needs.

Content marketing, doing email marketing or being a marketing coordinator working to create marketing campaigns and do other marketing roles, like being a marketing analyst or sales representative, can be options for entry level marketing jobs. Jobs within marketing teams are also available in these positions, as well as internships and even becoming a marketing assistant or marketing specialist. Marketing specialists, like social media specialists, social media coordinators, social media managers or other digital marketing jobs with entry-level marketing positions, allow you to work on marketing projects for a range of brands and businesses.

Marketing skills and knowledge about the marketing industry or marketing department in a particular company may be needed. LinkedIn is a great place to look for some of the best entry level marketing jobs and position availability online for the marketing career and for several marketing positions.

What an Entry Level Marketing Job Looks Like:

Brand Awareness and Market Research

Novice marketing professionals perform customer and product analyses to determine brand awareness. You might study consumer behavior, research product studies, or evaluate sales to determine which products and services have the highest demand. Part of the job requires you to assess statistical data to evaluate product costs, placement and overall customer satisfaction. Marketing strategies must be evaluated and revamped to meet current needs. You might conduct phone interviews, host focus groups or distribute consumer surveys to aid in analytical marketing evaluations. Entry-level marketers share their findings with marketing managers and senior-level executives.

Retail, Inventory, and Buying Skills

Some entry-level marketing professionals work in retail. You might help managers select, buy, price, and negotiate goods or services. Entry-level marketers assess the needs of clients and ensure inventory levels meet demand. You don't want to run out of high-selling items or have shelves full of outdated or unwanted merchandise. Novice marketing agents work with vendors to negotiate prices. They learn from expert buyers how to price items individually or in bulk and promote sales to increase consumption. Retail marketers might work with food or service industries or with consumable goods, furniture, cars, travel, or financial institutions that offer products and services.

Advertising, Promotion and Public Relations

Entry-level marketing professionals have media and advertising responsibilities. Beginning marketers often work with media buyers and copywriters to maintain current accounts and solicit new business. You must have strong communication skills and the ability to work closely with writers, artists, and creative departments who design ads and promotional materials. You might help marketing managers choose channels of communication to promote products or services, such as TV advertisements, radio commercials, billboards, magazine ads and online solicitations. Previous participation is advertising campaigns, even as a student, is usually a plus.

Background Basics

Most entry-level marketing professionals obtain a bachelor's degree in marketing management, advertising, journalism or business administration. Some pursue advanced credentials, such as a Master of Business Administration. Academic coursework in finance, business law, computer science, math, statistics and economics is highly beneficial, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Skills You'll Need

Entry-level marketers often receive on-the-job training, but an eye for business and effective people skills can help you quickly advance. Strong analytical skills, the ability to influence and persuade others, a creative mindset, friendliness, organization and effective communication skills are a big plus. For example, you might use your journalism talents and creativity to design innovative promotional ads. Or, you might use your business administration strengths and analytical skills to identify current consumer trends.

Earning Potential

The lowest 10 percent of marketing professionals, typically representing a large number of entry-level positions, earned less than $43,270 on an annual basis, according to 2012 data from the BLS. However, experience in the field and a proven track record can help you quickly advance up the pay scale. The BLS estimates that the employment of advertising and promotions managers will increase 7 percent between 2012 and 2022 -- slower than the estimated 11 percent increase in all occupations. Employment of marketing managers is estimated to grow 13 percent, leaving room for new professionals in the field. Entry-level professionals with experience in Internet-based marketing have the best job outlook, the BLS reports.

Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers Average Salary:

• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $208,000 ($100/hour)

• Median Annual Salary: $133,460 ($64.16/hour)

• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $68,940 ($33.14/hour)