by Amy Lee Clark

Created on: December 09, 2010   Last Updated: December 13, 2010

A business development job deals with the operational activities of an organization.  Anyone in the position of a business development manager has certain specific duties to perform and hence when looking to hire, employers look for certain characteristic features.  It may not necessarily be one that is remarkably different from the rest, but one that builds good business development working base. 

Here are a few tips on how to land a business development job.

* Experience

To begin with, one has to have operational knowledge of an organization.  For example, if it is the retail industry, one has to have had working experience as a retail store manager, as a minimum work experience criteria.  This would mean that the candidate has been exposed to the operations of the different departments of retail such as the F&V, Staples, Clothing & Apparels, Electronics, Footwear, Bakery, Frozen Foods, Cosmetics, etc.   In addition to this, the candidate should have a knowledge of the accounting procedures.  Again, as in this case, there is a flow of cash involving retail stock purchased and receipts and vouchers that are received in exchange.  The operations manager should know the accounting packages followed so as to work along side the finance / accounts department and the store front as a liaison.   Apart from coordinating between store and finance, a very important part comprising work experience is knowledge of merchandising.  This involves dealing with merchants, supplies, procurement and identifying how much sales can be generated per square foot area of store.  If it deals with services rendered, he  / she should be able to calculate and generate sales per hour.  Most often, it is work experience that makes a good business development manager.   One who has basic experience in this such as the departmental managers as likely candidates to be promoted to or hired for the post of business development.  A business development manager gives way for further promotions such as Division / Area / Regional Managers and then State Heads. 

* Educational Qualification

A business development job requires that candidates have a basic education in management.  This would mean that the candidate has to either have a Diploma or Degree in some form of management that is relevant for the post.  An MBA degree is most desirable.  There are many areas of specialization for an MBA study, and most often these are best suited for applying for a post.  If one is well qualified, he / she can be a likely candidate even if work experience is little or nothing. 

* Research

It is not very easy to land a business development job.  Usually it is a candidate that is hired internally from the pool of existing task force that gets promoted to the position of a business development manager.  When one applies fresh to a company, one has to do a lot of homework and follow up company trends either from write ups, market values, or by word of mouth.  Whatever it is, a candidate will have to research the company, and find ways to fit into the profile description asked for.

These helpful tips suggested above are strong guidelines on how to land a business development job.  If you think you have the necessary qualities, qualifications and work experience, be sure to gear yourself for a likely interview.  Stick to the basics of good personal hygiene, dress code and punctuality, and you are sure to have high scores in your favor for a business development job.  

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