How to Become an Online Merchandising Specialist
Companies that need to market products and manage inventory for online sales will employ an online merchandising specialist to support product management staff. In order to become an online merchandising specialist, you'll have to combine a college education with proven e-commerce experience. A knowledge of computer languages is also helpful, since your future job will entail a good deal of website design as well.
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Instructions
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Attend a good business school. The preferred college degree for a person who wants to become an online merchandising specialist is business administration. Marketing is helpful, economics is passable, but business administration is, by and large, the preferred 4-year degree.
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Add training in web design to your Bachelor's degree. At minimum, you'll need to know HTML (hypertext mark-up language). A strong command of scripting languages, including JavaScript, Flash and XMLA, will also serve you well as you look for an entry-level position in online marketing.
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Lay the foundations for your career as an online merchandising specialist by working in business-to-business web marketing. The most fundamental skill you can acquire is the knowledge of how to create, maintain and administer a commercial website.
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Learn the specific responsibilities of an online merchandising specialist. The specifics of a job may include the following: analysis of online sales trends, ensuring online inventory accuracy, increasing brand awareness and liaising with advertising and marketing departments. A good strategy is to read some online merchandising specialist job postings, get a sense of what companies are looking for and develop those skill sets.
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Create a resume that emphasizes not only business savvy but also your creativity and ability to create websites that function at a high level. While you work towards building the kind of resume you'll need to get an online merchandising specialist job, remember that you need not get all your experience in one place. You can apply your HTML skills here, learn about promotional advertising there and market brands in between.
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Upload your resume onto popular job search sites in addition to applying for jobs. That way, employers seeking candidates with your skill set can come directly to you.
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Tips & Warnings
Experience with web analytics software, such as Omniture and MarketLive, will make you more attractive to employers. Once you become an e-marketing specialist, your duties will include analysis of your company's online sales performance.
