Climbing the ecommerce ladder: The journey to Online Marketing Manager, Part One

When entering any role, the foundations need to be placed there and then. You are entering a new career path, and need to know how the bricks can be built up from the base. Progression is important; it not only shows you’re learning but also that your work is being recognised.

If you are a freshly squeezed graduate who knows what direction you want to go, or someone who needs a clean slate, we want to look at the journey from the beginning. We are going to focus on online marketing careers and how you can start climbing the ecommerce ladder from the word ‘hired!’ To start with, we’ll look at defining the career path, and picking the perfect one.

What degrees or courses do I need for an Online Marketing career?

We spoke to our online marketing panda, Kathryn, who is an expert when it comes to all things online marketing. Of course if your degree is rich in Marketing theory & practice, you’ve got the educational basis and experience to take into job applications.

However, this is not the only way into the online marketing field. Kathryn explains, “Have a look at some great courses on offer, such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing. A course like this will perfectly accompany your desire to enter a marketing role.”

Is this career definitely for me?

Before accepting an online marketing role, make sure it’s the right one! Really study the job specification, and ask as many questions as possible. The road to a senior role will definitely be less travelled if you don’t pick the right environment.

We had a quick study of recent job advertisements, to monitor the growth from junior responsibilities to senior. Many of the junior roles specify what skills you can master, such as Google Analytics, and development through proactive tasks. If the foundations are there, a junior role allows the building to begin.

Compare this to online marketing managerial specifications, where SEO, paid search and a whole range of techniques have to be brought together to create a coherent marketing  strategy. Of course, it also involves managing a team which can only be learnt from experience. Look at all these points, from what you’ll get in the first role, to the senior role; is that where you want to be in the future?

What career path should I take?

The following roles offer great opportunities, and branch out from general online marketing roles. What part of marketing really appeals to your strengths, and wants, the most?

• Social Media experts
• CRM & Email Marketing
• Paid Search
• Affiliate Marketing
• SEO specialists 

There are so many different roles for you to explore. Using all the experience you have, and studying the prospective job role, you should be able to feel when the role is right. You can also map out how you want to develop your path to cover all areas of online marketing.  Some significant time undertaking email marketing, then perhaps social media, will broaden your CV enough for the future goal. If you need some guidance, ask the experts!

Take a breather…

That’s a high ladder we’re climbing, so we think it’s time to catch our breath. However, the next step of the ladder is not far ahead...

Ready for more? Discover part two of our climbing the ecommerce ladder career series.