Are you good at giving a single project or client your undivided attention? Can you get to know their products better than they do? You could have a promising career as an account executive! Read on for more details:

Job Overview

Account executives are individuals who serve a single client, rather than a range of clients, typically in sales, marketing or advertising capacities. Your duties in this role would be similar to those of sales, marketing or advertising managers, but focused on a single important client.

Requirements and Qualifications

As an account executive, you will have long hours, especially during important campaigns, while traveling to meet with clients and when deadlines approach. In addition to your educational program, other qualities that you will find beneficial to your future success include analytical and decision-making skills, creativity, communications and social abilities and management and leadership skills.

Typical Education

Most account executives have a bachelor’s degree in advertising, journalism or marketing. In addition, pursuing an internship while you are still in school will give you the experience and references you’ll need for your resume when you finish your degree program.

Steps to Become an Account Executive

Once you’ve finished your degree program, you’ll want to build up some experience in promotions, sales, marketing or advertising. You will go through some on-the-job training as well. A good way to show that you have the drive to become an account executive is to request additional responsibilities or volunteer for special projects.

Similar Jobs

It could be that a career as an account executive keeps you tied to a single client, or maybe it’s the level of responsibility you’re not comfortable with. That’s all right! Here are some alternate career paths that you may find fit your bill:

• Want to help companies promote their products? Advertising sales agents sell advertising space in a variety of media.
• Have a flair for the artistic? Art directors keep a variety of departments on track to create a unique and united artistic expression.
• Like to help people try new things? Demonstrators and product promoters interface with the public, offering information, samples and coupons for particular products.
• Do you notice grammatical mistakes in writing? Editors plan publication layouts and correct manuscripts for publication.
• Want to convey ideas or information without words? Graphic designers use a variety of techniques to pass on information, stories or ideas using visual concepts.
• Are you interested in seeing how new products and concepts will do in the market? Market research analysts plan, operate and study data from market research studies.
• Can you put a great spin on any circumstance? Public relations managers and specialists assist their clients in creating and maintaining a good public image.
• Good at growing teamwork and sales? Sales managers oversee an organization’s sales department, handling any administrative work, providing training and setting sales goals.
• Have a knack for writing about exactly how things work? Technical writers create specifications paperwork, instruction manuals and other informative writing.
• Gifted with a flair for the written word? Writers and authors create unique written content for broadcast, printed and digital media in a variety of interests.

Salary

The average annual salary for an account executive was $88,590 as of 2012, nearly three times the average annual salary of all career paths. Most account executives work full time, with nearly 20% working over 50 hours a week.

Job Outlook

It is expected that account executives will see similar growth to the average of all career paths, predicted to be about 14% for both over the next decade. Though there is strong competition, knowledge and experience in new marketing areas including social, digital and mobile media will provide the best opportunities.