Brand Manager Career Path

Brand managers usually have a bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, public relations, business, or a related field. Some candidates have advanced degrees like a Master of Business Administration or MBA. They could also have a bachelor's or master's degree relevant to their industry. For example, someone working for a health care company could have a degree in biology or chemistry.

Brand managers often start in entry-level roles in marketing or sales. That way, they can gain experience while getting valuable on-the-job training. Demonstrate your leadership skills by leading projects and training new coworkers. Most people are associate brand managers before becoming full managers and leading other team members. When you apply for new positions, review and rewrite your resume and cover letter. Use the keywords in the job description as often as possible. Many businesses use search software to find the best applications, and using the terms in the job description can help you get an interview.

No matter what type of job you have, get to know your supervisor and coworkers. Expanding your professional network makes it easier to learn about new opportunities in the field as soon as they appear. Even after you move on to other positions, stay in touch with as many people as possible. You can learn from them, and you can ask for a letter of recommendation when needed.

With the right certifications, you can make your resume more appealing to hiring managers. The Association of International Product Marketing and Management offers the Certified Brand Manager or CBM certification. It includes a course about developing relationships with customers and understanding and promoting the elements of a brand, including its personality and core values. You can also become a Certified Product Manager or CPM to learn about launching and managing a brand's products.

Improving your skills as a brand manager can help you get promotions and earn a higher salary. You'll need excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to think creatively, and the ability to research the desires of customers, the amounts of materials available, and other information. After they gather data, brand managers need math and computer skills to analyze it. They often calculate customer conversion rates to assess the success of advertising campaigns. They also need to be able to adapt quickly to changing trends and other circumstances.