Account Management is a great choice for anyone who sees themselves as a ‘people person’ and enjoys a challenge, but how do you get your foot on that career ladder and really make your mark as an Account Manager?  Simon shares his advice on how you can get ahead in this competitive line of work.

1. Get experience – This is a given, everyone has to start somewhere – I started out as a sole trader with a fax and a yellow pages!  Consider joining an agency to learn the tricks of the trade, gaining experience of working with clients – account management roles are often quite versatile and might entail aspects such as project management or team leading, so add as many strings to your bow as you can.
2. Find your passion – Being passionate about what you do means you will be much happier in your work, as well as being good at what you, so find an industry you love.  When work is such a big part of your life why be in a job you don’t enjoy?
3. Build up your knowledge – Knowledge is built up over time, and gained from experience and research – my advice would be to keep an eye on sources like social media and industry publications.  The more you learn about the industry you are working in the better the service you can provide for your clients.  The life of an Account Manager is varied and fast-paced, and knowledge is power.
4. Keep up with the latest trends – In an ever-changing world, keeping up with the latest trends can give you a competitive edge when it comes to standing out from the crowd and innovation is key.  Clients often rely upon Account Managers to deliver results and bring new ideas to the table so they stay ahead of the game.
5. Demonstrate your skills –  Having been in recruitment for a number of years I have seen first-hand that the most desirable candidates are those who have built up a good reputation and portfolio.  Build up an online and physical portfolio that shows off just what you can do and the clients you have worked with.  Remember, you are only as good as your last project, so always strive to excel in whatever you do.

Have you made it yet?