How To Become a Junior Executive: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn about the steps important to pursuing a career as a junior executive, including education, skills, salary and more.
Junior executives are entry-level employees who are responsible for assisting senior executives with various tasks. These tasks can include administrative work, customer service, data entry and more. Junior executives often have the opportunity to learn about different aspects of the company and gain valuable experience that can be helpful in their future career. In this article, we discuss the duties of a junior executive, the necessary skills and the steps to take to become one.
What Does a Junior Executive Do?
Junior executives are entry-level employees who work in management and have the opportunity to learn about various aspects of running a business. Many junior executives start their careers in sales or customer service and are promoted based on their performance. The duties of a junior executive may vary depending on the company they work for, but they typically include:
- Learning about the various departments within the company
- Assisting with the development and implementation of company policies
- Helping to create and monitor budgets
- Participating in strategic planning meetings
- Attending conferences and seminars related to the industry
- Conducting research on competitors and market trends
- Training and supervising new employees
- Generating reports on departmental activity
- Handling customer complaints and concerns
Junior Executive Salary and Job Outlook
The average salary for a junior executive is $68,495. This figure can vary based on the level of experience, education, industry and geographical location of the analyst.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job prospects for market research analysts to increase at an above average rate over the next decade. This is due to many factors such as the growing use of data analysis in marketing. Companies often need the expertise of a market research analyst to gather, interpret and leverage that data into effective marketing strategies.
How to Become a Junior Executive
Here are several steps you should take to become a junior executive.
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field
A junior executive position typically requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field. While some employers may hire someone with an associate’s degree, having a bachelor’s degree can help you stand out from other candidates and give you more knowledge to do your job well.
While choosing a major is up to you, it’s important to select one that aligns with the type of work you want to do. For example, if you want to become a sales manager for a technology company, you should major in information systems or computer science. If you’re interested in marketing, consider majoring in marketing or economics.
2. Gain experience through entry-level jobs or internships in the business field
Entry-level jobs and internships provide valuable experience that can help you decide what type of business field you want to work in. Entry-level positions often focus on one specific area of business, such as accounting or marketing, while internships usually give you a broad overview of the business world.
Working at entry-level positions or internships allows you to develop skills related to your chosen career path and network with people who might be able to help you find a job after graduation.
3. Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills
Communication and interpersonal skills are essential for junior executives to succeed in their roles. Strong communication skills allow you to clearly convey information to your coworkers, clients and other business associates. Interpersonal skills help you work well with others in a team setting.
Practice these skills by regularly communicating with your family and friends about personal matters. Consider joining a professional organization or volunteering to develop your communication and interpersonal skills further.
4. Understand basic accounting and finance concepts
Accounting and finance are important aspects of business that all junior executives should have a basic understanding of. Understanding these concepts can help you make informed decisions about the financial health of your company or client, which is vital to ensuring its success.
You may want to consider taking an accounting course as part of your bachelor’s degree program or on your own to gain more knowledge in this area. You can also learn more by reading books or articles on the subject.
5. Be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other common business software
Junior executives must be proficient in using common business software programs. Many companies use Microsoft Office Suite to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations that help them run their businesses. Familiarizing yourself with these programs can help you find a job and perform your duties as a junior executive.
Other common business software includes accounting programs like QuickBooks or Peachtree and project management tools like Asana or Basecamp. Consider taking classes or reading guides on how to use these programs to make yourself more valuable to employers and improve your skills.
6. Stay up to date on changes in the business world
The business world is constantly changing, and new trends and developments appear regularly. To be successful as a junior executive, it’s important to stay up to date on these changes so you can apply them in your work. For example, if you’re working for a company that sells products online, you should know about any recent updates to the e-commerce platform or website design.
You can learn about current events in business by reading industry publications and news sites, listening to podcasts and following companies on social media. You may also want to consider joining a professional organization to receive regular updates from experts in the field.
7. Join professional organizations such as the Young Executives Society
The Young Executives Society (Y.E.S.) is an organization that provides networking opportunities and professional development for young professionals in a variety of fields, including business administration. Membership in Y.E.S. can help junior executives find mentors who can provide advice on advancing their careers and connect them with other professionals in the field.
The society also offers training programs to develop skills such as public speaking and leadership. Through these programs, members can earn certifications that demonstrate their knowledge and abilities to employers.
