Agreements such as the General Treaty on Trade and Tariffs and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Union (EU) have supported international trade and encouraged countries to initiate or ramp up their international activities. Leading international companies such as CPC International, Eli Lilly, Nestle, and Gillette routinely recruit international marketing professionals. These well-known brands have their branches in every major country and need people who can make their footprints on the globe even more prominent. Increased competition among countries is pushing global players to send their best talents abroad on attractive pay packages. This is where international marketing plays an important role.
A Career in International Marketing
A career in international marketing can be established in almost any field. Employers can be manufacturers, intermediaries, service firms, trading corporations, or licensors. Both customers and businesses want the best and most economical products, whether from a local or global player. International marketing jobs are in more demand today than ever.
The best starting position for an international marketing job is at the headquarters of an international company. There, a candidate can get acquainted with most of the company's international dealings and can make his pitch for the right position at the right time. Most companies like to have people who have proved their worth working in domestic locations.
However, a career in international marketing can be very challenging. Located far from their head offices, international marketing professionals have to make decentralized decisions, carry out different responsibilities, and deal with various risks. They are frequently tasked to navigate social, economic, and political conditions which they have never faced before.
Requirements for an International Marketing Job
- A bachelor's degree in marketing or an MBA is always preferred to a stand-alone bachelor's in some non-marketing field.
- Good market research capability is always an advantage.
- It is helpful to know a foreign language or to have lived in a foreign land.
- Internships with international companies often prove useful.
An international marketing career can lead to specializing in many fields. One can become a public relations professional and help companies convey messages about their products across diverse markets. One can be a research analyst or consultant, researching new business opportunities in foreign lands.
The field can also lead to a career as an international trade documentation specialist, whose job is to source raw materials and handle import and export documents. International marketing jobs can also lead to specializations as finance officers, currency dealers, or international human resource managers.
At present, a career in international marketing is a very promising one. In the near term, the outlook for jobs in international marketing is good, and over the next few years, the sector is expected to grow faster than the average job market.
