A career in business can offer exciting opportunities for someone exploring that career path. With the right training and experience business professionals can work in various roles including administration, marketing, finance, and management.
There are plenty of careers to choose from in the business sector, and many have excellent job prospects, so it’s important to understand your choices.
- Why work in the business sector?
- What careers are available in the business sector?
- What skills are needed to work in the business sector?
- What degrees help with a career in business?
Why work in the business sector?
Work worldwide
Some business careers give you flexibility in what geographic location(s) you prefer. Some employers may offer flexible or remote working, giving you the chance to work at your desired locations, depending on if you have access to the internet.
Opportunities to enter a specialist role
If you decide to develop your skills by joining a business studies program, you could receive opportunities to specialise in specific roles i.e., management, marketing, human resources, accounting, or business finance. Or you could choose to specialise in a particular industry such as the marketing industry or the non-profit sector.
Evolving in your career
A career in business offers opportunities for progression on your career journey. As you advance professionally, you’ll receive a higher salary, gain respect from your peers, and can challenge yourself with new projects.
What careers are available in the business sector?
Among the many roles available in the business sector, you can step into a range of roles within marketing, sales, finance, administration, and project management. Here are a few of the most common:
Administration
An administration role in a business environment can involve a variety of responsibilities, professional settings, and growth opportunities. Business administration involves managing an organisation’s resources, time, and people. Job roles in this sector include:
- Management analyst
- Facilities manager
- Business consultant
- Chief investment officer
- Chief accounting officer
- Director of financial planning
Sales
A salesperson’s responsibility is to ensure that the company’s products, goods, or services are sold to consumers. Job roles in this sector include:
- Director of sales
- Sales representative
- Account manager
- Retail store manager
Marketing
The aim of marketing is to get people interested in your company’s product or service. By researching your ideal customers and exploring their interests, you can ensure that your product or service meets their needs. Marketing involves the development of products, distribution, sales, and advertising for a business. Job roles in this sector include:
- Marketing specialist
- Account executive
- Search engine optimisation specialist
- Copywriter
- Public relations manager
Finance
A finance department manages a company’s money. To ensure the success of a business, finance usually monitors the cash flow (money going in and out) of a business. Job roles in this sector include:
- Financial risk analyst
- Stockbroker
- Portfolio manager
- Risk manager
- Investment banker
Project management
The process of project management involves managing and planning a business’s resources to successfully achieve a specific project. Aspects such as human resources, finances, and equipment are managed as part of a one-off or ongoing project. Job roles in this sector include:
- Project manager
- Assistant project manager
- New product development manager
- Information technology manager
- Project co-ordinator
What skills are needed to work in the business sector?
Due to the number of careers available in the business industry, it’s not possible to say which skills are needed for each job. However, there are a few skills that would benefit you in any role within the industry:
- Team-building – motivating employees to improve their performance
- Sales negotiating
- Problem-solving
- Basic finance management
- Sales and marketing – building profitable sales and marketing channels
- Creating a positive and productive culture in the workplace
- Developing excellent quality customer relations and customer care standard
- Optimising planning, management, and implementation of business objectives to increase performance, productivity, and profits
If you are looking for a specific job within the business sector, we recommend reviewing the job description and the person specification.
To meet the essential job criteria for a role without having much work experience within your chosen sector, why don’t you take a look at our article on how to get a job with no experience.
What degrees help with a career in business?
You can pursue a career in business in many ways, including apprenticeships, internships, or going to university. Employees like to find individuals with previous experience, however, they can be open to individuals who have the skill set and an eagerness to learn.
The person specification should specify whether a degree is or is not an essential requirement. If it’s not a requirement, then go ahead and apply. You might want to consider the following subjects if a degree is listed in the person specification:
- Business Administration
- Business Law
- Business Management
- Marketing
- Finance and Accounting
- Human Resources
- Economics
- Supply Management
- Professional Communications
View our Unitemps job search portal to see if we have any job positions available within the business sector or get more career advice by reading our other articles.
Last updated on 9 December 2022
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