Graduates of UK universities who are just entering the sales and marketing field should understand the responsibilities they will be expected to fulfill. Sales and marketing specialists in a variety of industries typically work on a diverse portfolio, with several clients juggled in the air at once. Specialists will typically work with recurring clients but there are always new clients, with unique needs, who need the attention of the young professional. As well, the creative work of developing ad campaigns and taking out clients is balanced several times over by administrative work. In the end, the life of a young sales and marketing specialist can be pretty stressful.

However, young professionals in the UK need to rise above these pressures. After all, the way a sales and marketing specialist handles the daily stresses of their job demonstrates their capability for more advanced jobs. Young professionals need to be able to handle their job responsibilities and exceed expectations in order to succeed in their career.

The question for these specialists is how to get the most out of their potential. The bad news for graduates is that there is no silver bullet that eliminates the doubts that make work tough. Indeed, many professionals in sales and marketing would be quick to tell graduates that a dynamic approach to daily work is the only sure path to success.

The good news for sales and marketing specialists is that there are plenty of tools to success in their profession. One common way in which new specialists develop their skills is to take advantage of every education opportunity at their disposal. Online courses, local universities, recruiting firms, and corporate-sponsored courses are great ways to boost knowledge.

Another way to improve skills is to volunteer time for projects outside of a specialist’s purview. For example, a retail marketing specialist can help perform pricing and inventory jobs in men’s wear when their specialty is in small electronics. This type of cross-departmental volunteerism, when time allows, can help a specialist develop a broader range of knowledge and a better relationship with their co-workers.

Finally, sales and marketing professionals should develop a sophisticated knowledge of their industry. Whether it is IT products or telecommunications, specialists need to be able to sell their client’s products against dozens of other competitors. Reviewing industry publications, speaking with colleagues at conferences, or reviewing a competitor’s website can go a long way toward success in sales and marketing.

Mark Doherty is a Director of Alexander Chapel Associates. A specialist sales recruitment company with a focus in IT sales jobs, logistics jobs and supply chain recruitment