Levels and diversity of marketing occupations

There are hundreds of different job titles which can be classified as ‑ marketing jobs. There are also many different levels of jobs in marketing ‑ some relatively simple, others more complex. Jobs in marketing can be described as entry level, career sustaining, specialized, and managerial as an employee moves from the entry level through the career-sustaining level to the managerial level, jobs become more complicated, usually requiring more training and experience.

Figure 1. Levels of marketing jobs

In addition to training and experience, other factors determine which classification a job

fits into; for example,

1. Nature of employment. Is the position full- or part-time? Are there any educational or training requirements for a person functioning at this level?

2. Knowledge of products or services. How much product or service knowledge is required of a worker in this position?

3. Supervisory responsibilities. Is the person holding this position responsible for supervising others?

4. Marketing techniques. Does the position require knowledge of, or skills in, marketing functions? How much knowledge or what level of skill is needed?

5. Decision making. What is the level of responsibility in this position? Are decision-making skills required? Is the worker responsible for the success or profitability of the business?

Entry-level marketing jobs

Entry-level jobs in marketing require little specialized training or experience and involve routine duties. Many entry-level jobs provide only part-time employment. An employee at this level is not usually expected to use many decision-making skills. Examples of job titles in this category are fast-food counter worker, part-time retail salesperson, gift wrapper, hotel bellhop, theater ticket agent, supermarket bagger, baggage porter, and automobile service station attendant. A job description is a brief statement listing what a worker does in a specific job. Typical job descriptions for several entry-level job tides follow.

• Stock clerk. Keeps track of supplies and equipment. Receives, unpacks and stores incoming merchandise and reports damaged or spoiled goods. Keeps track of items in storage and issues equipment and supplies. Checks outgoing items for quality and quantity. Organizes and marks items for inventory with prices or codes. Stock clerks are employed by any organization that keeps large quantities of goods on hand.

• Automobile service station attendant. Services automobiles and other motor vehicles with fuel, lubricants and accessories. Fills fuel tank with gasoline or diesel fuel. Checks level of oil in crankcase and amount of water in radiator and adds oil and water if necessary. Lubricates vehicle and changes oil. Replaces parts such as tires, air filters and lights. Washes and waxes vehicles. Collects payment from customer, operates cash register and handles charge card sales.

• Supermarket bagger. Bags groceries in sack or carton and carries or pushes groceries in cart to customer’s car. Collects shopping carts from parking area and returns carts to store. Replaces supplies used at checkout counter. Many price and stock food items on shelves.

• Fast-food counter worker. Serves customer at counter of fast-food restaurant. Takes customer’s order, relays order to food preparation area, delivers food on trays to customers. Fills containers with coffee, tea and other beverages. Receives payment from customer, operates cash register, and makes change.