Employability Skills and Career Opportunities: Sales Manager in Retail

This report delves into the career of a sales manager, focusing on employability skills, career opportunities, and the job market within the retail sector. The author, aspiring to be a sales manager, explores the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience, including a Master's degree in marketing and internship experience. The report examines the types of organizations that employ sales managers, such as Tesco and Sainsbury's, and analyzes the career opportunities available, including potential for advancement and financial benefits. Primary research, including a questionnaire administered to sales managers, provides insights into the skills required, job satisfaction, and market trends. The report also outlines the duties of a sales manager, including team management, reporting, and planning, concluding with an analysis of the healthy job market for this role and its implications for career development. The report emphasizes the importance of continuous skill development and the ability to meet sales targets in a competitive environment. The report is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the sales manager career path, highlighting the skills, opportunities, and market dynamics involved.

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................3
AREA OF INTEREST .........................................................................................................................3
TYPE OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVING THIS ROLE .....................................................................4
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES...............................................................................................................4
JOB HOLDER DUTIES ......................................................................................................................7
ANALYSIS OF THE JOB MARKET .................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................................9
APPENDIX........................................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Employability skills refer to the proficiencies and knowledge along with the experience
required for carrying out operations at the workplace. Further, it enhances the confidence level of
individuals and increases the overall capability to perform better in organization as well. Moreover,
it is a well known fact that different types of tasks are carried out by employees in organization and
individuals can easily focus on the same if level of knowledge is up to the mark (Saunders and
Zuzel, 2010). In the present study, one career pathway has been selected in the field of sales and
marketing and main stress is on identifying the career opportunities that are present in the chosen
field. I am planning to apply for the position of sales manager in the retail organization and for the
same; I have identified career opportunities along with job market for this role. Various tasks have
been covered in the study which involves working environment, range of knowledge and skills
required, etc.
AREA OF INTEREST
I am having interest in the field of sales and marketing as I have obtained degree in this field
as well as presence of appropriate knowledge in this field will support me in carrying out the
operations in a proper manner. Further, the qualification required is Master degree in the field of
marketing which I am pursuing at present. After obtaining MBA degree from the recognized
university, I want to apply for the position of sales manager in any retail firm as it suits with my
area of interest. Marketing as a field has wide scope and it provides large number of career
opportunities to an individual. Further, it becomes possible for an individual to focus on its future
growth by doing job in this field (Treffinger, Isaksen and Stead-Dorval, 2005).
Further, large number of skills is required to apply for the position of sales manager in any
retail organization and it involves motivating and leading team, time management, influencing,
ability to work under pressure, good planning, coaching and mentoring, good business sense, etc.
These skills are necessarily required in a sales manager and absence of such skills prevents
individuals from carrying out the assigned tasks. All these skills are present in me and I have
prepared effective plans so as to develop the skills which are not present in me. Further, every
organization has high expectation from the sales manager who is being recruited at the workplace
and due to this reason; it is required for me to gain full knowledge along with the skills in this field
which can assist in my career development (Warner, Bowers and Dixon, 2012). Moreover, while
pursuing my master degree I have done two months internship in Tesco as a sales manager through
which I have gained proper knowledge regarding this field and I have understood the appropriate
ways of selling products of firm in the market. No doubt to sell commodity in the market by
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influencing customers is one of the most toughest tasks but presence of proper knowledge allows
individual to do the same.
Knowledge is required so as to determine an appropriate way in which assigned sales target
can be accomplished easily. Further, I have acquired actual knowledge that is linked with the sales
and marketing by pursuing master degree where reading books and attending lectures was
beneficial for me and it has supported in my personal growth. Further, experience of 1 to 2 years is
required to apply for the position of sales manager in any organization but as a fresher also, I can
apply for this position and can focus on my career development. Apart from this, I am having very
less experience in the field of sales and this can act as hurdle at the time when I will carry out duties
that are assigned to me at the workplace. So, this type of knowledge, skills and qualification is
required in the field of sales and marketing and by acquiring the same, I can easily perform better in
any company and it will be beneficial for me in every possible manner.
TYPE OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVING THIS ROLE
In the present era, generally, every organization has employed sales manager whose main
responsibility is to prepare effective plans for enhancing the sales volume of enterprise. Further,
without hiring sales managers, no company can survive in the competitive market for longer period
of time. Moreover, I am interested to apply for the position of sales manager in retail firm and the
range of companies who are having this role involves Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda, Marks and Spencer,
etc. All these firms are regarded to be the leader in this sector and they have employed efficient
workforce who can easily meet sales target. So, this will be a kind of opportunity for me and by
working with these reputed companies, I can easily enhance my knowledge and experience level. In
short, these firms will provide me proper growth opportunities and can assist in my career
development which is also one of my main aims.
Apart from this, all the firms have applied larger efforts in training its sales manager so that
they can work efficiently and it is fruitful for the enterprise in every possible manner. The growing
market of sales and marketing can provide me ample of opportunities and I can easily develop me
career in this field (Whimbey, Lochhead and Narode, 2013). Apart from this, to apply for the
position of sales manager in these companies, candidate must have master degree from the
recognized university and should have full knowledge regarding the sales techniques and other form
of information that is required to work as sales manager in the enterprise. So, this will be beneficial
for me as range of skills and knowledge required is already present in me.
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
In the field of sales and marketing, large number of career opportunities are present which
are beneficial for an individual. By working in this field, I can enhance my knowledge along with
the skills. Apart from this, I can easily work for the betterment of firm in terms of enhancing sales
volume. Market analysis has shown that large number of opportunities is present in the field of sales
and they are associated with the personal development of an individual. Further, it is a well known
fact that ultimate aim of every individual is to work in organization which can provide career
opportunities for development. Therefore, growth is present in this field but it is directly associated
with the performance of individual as when sales manager is able to meet the targets on monthly
basis then it has a positive impact on the overall performance. Apart from this, the growing market
of sales is providing ample of opportunities to sales manager and they can obtain higher position in
any organization such as head of the department. Further, monetary benefits are quite high in the
field of sales and other additional benefits are also provided to individuals while working as a sales
manager in any specific company (Wye and Lim, 2009). So, this represents the overall growth
opportunities that are present in the field of sales and they are associated with the career
development.
In order to gain more information in the field of sales, primary study has been carried
out where information has been collected from five sales managers that are working in
Sainsbury.
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Name
2. Age
 20- 25 years
 25- 35 years
 35- 45 years
 45 years and above
3. Educational qualification
4. Does Sainsbury provide you growth opportunities in the field of marketing?
 Yes
 No
5. What are the ranges of skills required in an experienced sales manager?
 Problem solving
 Influencing
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 Decision making
 Critical thinking
6. Do you face difficulties while achieving monthly sales target?
 Yes
 No
7. Are you satisfied with the career opportunities in the field of sales?
 Yes
 No
8. What are the ranges of techniques that you use for enhancing your knowledge level?
 Training
 Taking expert advice
 Reading articles and books
9. Market of sales and market is quite healthy?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
10. How many years’ experience you are having in the field of sales?
 2 to 3 years
 3 to 4 years
 4 years and above
So, this questionnaire has been designed in order to collect the primary information and
through this, it has been found that proper growth opportunities are present in the field of sales and
marketing which is beneficial for an individual who wishes to apply for the post of sales manager in
any retail organization. In short, through collection of primary information, it has become possible
for me to know about the opportunities that are present for the sales manager in any specific
organization as said by majority of managers (Job profile, 2015). This type of information gathered
has supported in my career choice where it is quite clear that obtaining job in the field of sales will
be beneficial for me. Majority of sales managers are having high experience and they are satisfied
with the healthy job market. Through this, I can easily focus on my career development and this can
develop my future. Both primary and secondary study has supported in knowing that applying for
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the position of sales manager in any enterprise can provide support to an individual in grabbing
large number of opportunities and thus, he can earn high income which is regarded as one of the
main aims of every individual. But, it is necessary to ensure well in advance that level of skills
along with the knowledge must be appropriate so that duties assigned can be carried out in an
appropriate manner.
JOB HOLDER DUTIES
Sales manager has to deal with the team members at the workplace on daily basis. Further,
daily reporting is done to senior executives who assign monthly targets which sales manager has to
accomplish. Further, meeting with top officials are carried out on continuous basis through which
proper planning is done regarding the type of operations which have to be carried out for enhancing
the sales volume of enterprise (Cook, 2009).
Moreover, Job holder has to manage a small team of sales people and they are guided in
relation with the way of selling products in the market. Further, time to time, individuals have to
undergo with the training session for enhancing the level of skills along with the knowledge.
ANALYSIS OF THE JOB MARKET
Market for the role of sales manager is quite healthy and it is providing ample of
opportunities to the individuals who are planning to do job in this field. Further, recruiting sales
manager on continuous basis has become the need for every organization and without hiring
efficient workforce, it is not possible for the firms to survive in the market. Apart from this, scope
for sales manager is appropriate in the market where they can easily perform in different types of
organizations. Further, the changing job market for the role of sales manager is beneficial for me as
it is one of my main aims to work as a sales manager in a reputed company which can provide me
the growth opportunity (Gatewood, Feild and Barrick, 2010).
Every organization has started to recruit sales manager and this is representing the overall
condition of the job market and is beneficial for those who want to build their career in sales and
marketing. The analysis that is obtained with the help of primary study has also assisted in knowing
that for a sales manager, job opportunities are easily present and he can easily apply range of skills
along with the knowledge required in carrying out business operations.
CONCLUSION
The entire study has supported in knowing the significance of obtaining skills which are
essential in carrying out the business operations. Further, I am interested in doing job in the field of
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marketing for which it is required to acquire skills such as critical thinking, decision making,
communication through which I can better perform being a sales manager at the workplace. Master
degree is essential for an individual and by acquiring this, individual can get entry in any company
as a sales manager and this boosts his career development.
Apart from this, market is growing at a faster pace and it is providing ample of opportunities
to sales managers in terms of growth and this is also beneficial for me. On the other hand,
questionnaire designed has supported in obtaining primary information and through secondary
analysis also, positive results have been obtained.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Cook, M., 2009. Personnel selection: Adding value through people. John Wiley & Sons.
Gatewood, R., Feild, H., and Barrick, M., 2010. Human resource selection. Cengage Learning.
Saunders, V. and Zuzel, K., 2010. Evaluating employability skills: Employer and student
perceptions. Bioscience Education. (15).
Treffinger, D. J., Isaksen, S. G. and Stead-Dorval, K. B., 2005. Creative problem solving: An
introduction. Prufrock Press Inc..
Warner, S., Bowers, M. T. and Dixon, M. A., 2012. Team dynamics: A social network
perspective. Journal of Sport Management. 26(1). pp. 53-66.
Whimbey, A., Lochhead, J. and Narode, R., 2013. Problem solving & comprehension. Routledge.
Wye, C. K. and Lim, Y. M., 2009. Perception differential between employers and undergraduates on
the importance of employability skills. International education studies. 2(1). pp. 95.
Online
Job profile. 2015. [Online]. Available through:
<https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/
Salesmanager.aspx>. [Accessed on 2nd December 2015].
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APPENDIX
Results of Questionnaire
Age No of respondents
20- 25 years 1
25- 35 years 2
35- 45 years 1
45 years and above 1
Does Sainsbury provides you growth
opportunities in the field of marketing? No of respondents
Yes 3
No 2
What are the range of skills required in
an experienced sales manager? No of respondents
Problem solving 1
Influencing 2
Decision making 1
Critical thinking 1
Do you face difficulties while achieving
monthly sales target? No of respondents
Yes 3
No 2
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Are you satisfied with the career
opportunities in the field of sales? No of respondents
Yes 4
No 1
What are the range of techniques you
use for enhancing your knowledge
level? No of respondents
Training 2
Taking expert advice 3
Reading articles and books 0
Market of sales and market is quite
healthy? No of respondents
Strongly agree 3
Agree 1
Neutral 1
Disagree 0
Strongly disagree 0
How many years’ experience you are
having in the field of sales? No of respondents
2 to 3 years 1
3 to 4 years 2
4 years and above 2
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