Qualities of a Marketing Assistant

Qualities of a marketing assistant can vary depending upon the industry in which she works. For example, marketing assistants who work for executives or assistant marketing managers may need a college degree. Higher-level marketing assistants may also need to be people-oriented, because they deal with many types of employees and vendors. There are also several other qualities of marketing assistants that make them successful.

Marketing assistants must be organized because of their variety of responsibilities. For example, some marketing assistants may need to arrange department meetings. During the process, the marketing assistant may need to coordinate the schedules of a dozen or more people for the meeting. Additionally, marketing assistants often prepare memos, write letters for executives and even work on reports. Marketing assistants may also be asked to take the minutes during meetings, then write summaries of the meetings afterward.

Marketing assistants must be computer literate, because they may be required to centralize documents for the department. Therefore, marketing assistants will likely need to be well-versed with the company's email system. Additionally, marketing assistants need to type their memos and reports with word processing software. Marketing assistants who work on department budgets also need experience using spreadsheets like Excel or Lotus 123. Additionally, marketing assistants may be required to use presentation software like PowerPoint or Keystone to prepare their bosses' presentations. Marketing assistants who work for direct mail or advertising firms may need database management skills, where they use computers to maintain lists and addresses of people.

Marketing assistants also need strong writing and oral communications skills. Marketing assistants might write sales visuals that help salespeople sell their products. Also, some marketing assistants help write advertising pieces that need to convince customers to buy their company's products. Marketing assistants need strong oral communication skills to work with various levels of people, including high-level executives, lower-level employees and outside agencies. Marketing assistants also need strong oral communication skills if they work on the phone a lot.

Marketing assistants must be self-directed. In other words, marketing assistants need to perform their jobs without constant guidance. A marketing director or manager cannot constantly be telling a marketing assistant what needs to be done. The marketing assistant must be aware of her projects and due dates. Hence, she can quickly move from task to task with little intervention. An effective marketing assistant is always aware of what needs to be done. She also knows how to prioritize daily responsibilities, making sure high-priority projects take precedence over others.