Question

Topic: Career/Training

Switching From A Supplier To Corporate Environment

Posted by Anonymous on 2/17/2005 at 2:03 PM ET 125 Points
I am currently an MBA student who will be completing my degree in June with a marketing concentration. I have 15+ years of experience working for market research suppliers, but am looking to make the switch to a corporate marketing or market research department (but remaining in a market research function), preferably with a company in the consumer packaged goods industry (although I have substantial experience and interest in other industries as well).

I have already begun applying for such positions, but am finding a lack of experience working in the specific industry as a barrier, even when I have significant experience as a supplier serving those industries. I have done the internship route, in an effort to get some corporate side experience, but that does not seem to be enough.

What should I do to enhance my chances of securing the type of job I am seeking?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 2/17/2005 at 5:03 PM Accepted
    The first thing to do is understand what type of company would have a market research position internally - and you seem to have hit it already. Large consumer goods companies have them. So focus on these companies.

    I am a little surprised that market research positions inside companies are looking for industry experience. I would have though t that the expertise in market research would be the main requirement (where marketing manager and brand manager positions are the ones where the industry experience is key). But to get around this, think back on your experience and try to play up when you worked in similar industries to the people you are talking to.

    Keep at it. The job market is still pretty tight in a lot of areas, so it may take a little time to get that dream job.
  • Posted on 2/17/2005 at 10:26 PM Accepted
    I think you need to talk to some people who are doing what you want to do. Find out what they like/dislike about their jobs, how what they're doing is similar to/different from what you've done, etc.

    Create an objective questionnaire that will give you the information you need to decide how to position yourself for the job you want. As a market research professional, you should be able to do this really well -- IF you can remove yourself from the situation and be objective about what you're doing.

    BTW, this philosophy is at the core of The Potato Chip Difference : How to apply leading edge marketing strategies to landing the job you want. If you order the book on the website, you also get a free booklet titled 10 Stupid Things Job Seekers Do That Guarantee They'll Be Looking For Work Again Soon. It will keep you from doing some things that will undermine your own efforts as you look for that right job.

    Good luck.
    In my experience, which includes both consumer packaged goods and industrial/B2B, there are some real differences between the tools used. Consumer packaged goods has its own "language" and thinks it has all the answers. In some ways it does, but of course there are parallels in B2B.

    Do the research project that will guide you to the solution you want. Be your own market research consultant. The answer isn't how to find the right job for you but how to identify the right employer who needs and wants what you do best. Do your market research and show them what you can do.
  • Posted on 2/17/2005 at 10:33 PM Member
    I neglected to include the website URL in that last posting. It is:

    www.potatochipdifference.com

    Sorry. Also sorry the formatting and flow of that previous message got messed up. I think the basic content is clear, even if I managed to get a couple of the paragraphs mixed up. (No good excuse. Just didn't check it carefully before posting. Maybe it's getting late.) ;-)
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