Current market conditions
Recruiters are buoyant about job opportunities in the Marketing and PR industries for 2008. This optimism is based on growth in traditional industry roles but also in online and digital marketing. Creative and commercial ecommerce is surging forward and employers are complaining of acute skills shortages.
The finance and banking sectors are currently experiencing candidate shortage especially in product development, marcomms and senior marketing management
Online company growth has also led to a boom in jobs for IT and telecoms marketing and PR specialists.
FMCG companies also offering great opportunities and good money for job seekers in this field.
Skills in demand
- Brand and category management within FMCG/Consumer Products;especially those candidates who have gained their experience in major multinational corporations.
- Product management specialists within financial services; especially those from the major retail banks in Australia/New Zealand/South Africa.
- RFP and bid specialists within professional services (especially those from the “big four” accountancy practices, commercial law firms and asset management companies).
- SEO/PPC/web marketers across all sectors, but especially from B2b markets.
- Experienced PR and Corporate communications professionals across all major UK industries
- Additional ; Photoshop ,Dreamweaver, CRM experience
Marketing and PR professionals from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are highly sought after by UK businesses because their educational, business and social backgrounds are very similar.
Current Salary Rates
Average pay in Marketing and PR has risen consistently in the last five years. A 3 – 4 % increase is expected for 2008.
| Positions Available | UK hourly rates | $Aus | $NZ |
| Marketing Assistant | £12.50 | $28 | $32 |
| Marketing Executive | £17.00 | $38 | $43 |
| Marketing Manager | £25.00 | $56 | $64 |
| Product Manager | £35.00 | $78 | $90 |
| Internal Comms Manager | £22.50 | $50 | $58 |
| Event Manager | £20.00 | $45 | $51 |
How the UK job market works
Many of the UK's blue chip companies don't advertise their contract posts but ask specific agencies to find them suitable candidates to fill the position. Using a recruitment service like the one offered by FastrackUK, is often the best way to secure your ideal UK job.
After seeing your CV, recruitment consultants will want to talk to you to get to know you better and discuss what jobs are available, they may even phone for a chat before you leave. In most circumstances recruiters will want to have a meeting with you when you arrive in the UK.
It is important that you present yourself to the agency as if you were presenting yourself in a job interview. The recruitment consultant is responsible for recommending potential candidates to clients and you should dress appropriately, do your homework, be enthusiastic and show your personality at its best. To find out more about preparing yourself for job interviews take a look at our interview tips section
Advice to candidates from Aus. NZ and SA
- Previous marketing experience is a must for most roles
- UK experience is the key to career advancement and high salaries
- No UK experience - then the priority is to get your foot on the ladder.Be prepared to take on a lower role in order to break into the market.
- If possible work on a respected known brand or campaign.
- Take a portfolio of your past projects with you for your interviews i.e. advertisements, publications, websites etc.
- Visa- Employers will be influenced by the type of visa that you have. They prefer people with highly skilled migrant visas an EU or UK passport or an ancestry visa because these individuals are more likely to be interested in a longer term role in the UK.
Employment trends in UK Marketing and PR industries
The majority of marketers continue to work hours that are well above the UK average with 69 % recently surveyed,working over 40 hours a week.
Permanent or longer term contract roles are the trend in this industry as this kind of work is all about investing in people and building up relationships.However permanent is not necessarily a long term commitment. A recent survey showed the established trend for marketers is to spend relatively short stints with each employer . 73% of marketers responding to recent survey had been in their job for less than three years. Only 6% having been in their job for 5 years or more. Career development being the main reason for this trend plus better salaries and more challenging roles
FastrackUK works with you to find your ideal marketing or PR role. Please call - Aus 1300 78 44 79 , UK 0208 547 4160, SA +27 (0)21 439 6006 email an Australian Consultant by clicking here, a UK Consultant by clicking here, or a SA Consultant by clicking here and we will be happy to help.