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Job outlook for major account representatives in the United States
Major account representative job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected major account representative job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 63,300 new jobs for major account representatives are projected over the next decade.
Major account representative salaries have increased 9% for major account representatives in the last 5 years.
There are over 752,664 major account representatives currently employed in the United States.
There are 200,316 active major account representative job openings in the US.
The average major account representative salary is $40,700.
Are major account representative jobs in demand?
Major account representative job and salary trends over time
Major account representative jobs over time
Major account representative job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 752,664 | 0.22% |
| 2020 | 721,336 | 0.21% |
| 2019 | 766,740 | 0.23% |
| 2018 | 763,093 | 0.23% |
| 2017 | 745,141 | 0.23% |
Average major account representative salary over time
Major account representative salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,700 | $19.57 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $39,297 | $18.89 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $38,365 | $18.44 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $37,356 | $17.96 | --0.3% |
| 2021 | $37,467 | $18.01 | +2.5% |
Major account representative jobs by state
Most common states for major account representatives
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 498 | 72% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,944 | 43% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 415 | 39% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 234 | 38% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,145 | 37% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,028 | 36% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 380 | 36% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 337 | 35% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 4,227 | 33% |
| 10 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,966 | 33% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,190 | 33% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 429 | 32% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,868 | 31% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,265 | 31% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 904 | 31% |
| 16 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 3,805 | 30% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,554 | 30% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 2,073 | 30% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 573 | 30% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 520 | 30% |
Most common cities for major account representatives
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 1 | 4% | $38,356 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $56,713 |
| 3 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $57,479 |
| 4 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $63,286 |
| 5 | Folsom | 1 | 1% | $104,465 |
| 6 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $45,093 |
| 7 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $35,191 |
| 8 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $36,200 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $32,809 |
| 10 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $44,576 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $39,773 |
| 12 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $46,969 |
| 13 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $44,686 |
| 14 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $36,639 |
| 15 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $37,186 |
| 16 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $30,771 |
| 17 | Montgomery | 1 | 0% | $33,480 |
Major Account Representative job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of major account representative experts
University of Maryland - College Park
University of Southern Mississippi
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Oklahoma Baptist University
The University of West Florida
Christopher Newport University
Valdosta State University
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Penn State Behrend
Indiana University Southeast
Minnesota State University Moorhead
University of Minnesota
Buffalo State College
The University of Findlay
Fordham University Gabelli School of Business
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Augsburg University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Champlain College
Kent State University
What Major Account Representative skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kathleen Kelly: Maximizing your salary potential requires research, flexibility, and being your best advocate.
What will help Major Account Representatives increase their earning potential?
Kevin Buckley: My top advice is to be a continuous learner, both about your company/products and about the sales profession itself. Sales is a skill that requires ongoing development through practice, coaching, and studying new techniques. Don't rest on what you learned in school - seek out mentors, training opportunities, and ways to keep enhancing your sales capabilities. I would also advise resilience and to view every 'no' as a step closer to 'yes.' Sales has its share of rejection. Have a positive attitude, persist through obstacles, and be a student of why buyers say no so that you can improve.
E. Duff Wrobbel Ph.D.
ChairSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Communication And Media Studies
What Major Account Representative skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
E. Duff Wrobbel Ph.D.: All things social media are important, and so writing skills still matter.
What will help Major Account Representatives increase their earning potential?
E. Duff Wrobbel Ph.D.: With this major, probably the best salaries are from sales jobs, which many people shy away from because they think only of hustling used cars, but sales can be very good work.
Dr. Daryl Green
Associate Professor of BusinessOklahoma Baptist University
College of Business
How have salaries changed over time for Major Account Representatives?
Dr. Daryl Green: Based on my research, I predict that the current salaries for marketing majors will be unchanged from 2020. There are 'riches in niches.' Certain areas, like marketing analytics, may see a surge. For example, market research analysts are projected to grow 18 percent from 2019 to 2029, according to US BLS. However, Covid-19 is the X-factor for the economy.
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.
Professor of AccountingThe University of West Florida
Department of Accounting and Finance
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Major Account Representatives?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: In a word, yes. The adjustments that both individuals and businesses have made during this time have shifted our expectations for life and work. For a generation of students who were already tech-natives, the shift to more technology-enabled interactions has reinforced the "click-to-do" mentality. And for non-tech-natives, the roll-out of intuitive, easy-to-use apps has overcome much of their resistance to these types of interactions. These shifts have affected everything from business meetings to family reunions and from buying lunch to meeting with your doctor. However, graduates will need to grow beyond being technology consumers. They must be able to effectively use technology to deliver a company's value proposition, especially in service-oriented fields such as accounting, finance, law, medicine, and consulting.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Major Account Representatives?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: Although the use of office productivity software has been important for a number of years, the importance of fluency with these types of programs has been heightened by our increased virtual interactions. In addition, the use of online collaboration tools has grown and will continue to grow. Thus, candidates will stand out when they demonstrate knowledge/skill (e.g., certification) with respect to basic collaborative productivity tools as well as specific technology commonly used in their career fields.
Todd Lee Goen
Instructor & Internship DirectorChristopher Newport University
Department of Communication
What technical skills for a Major Account Representative stand out to employers?
Todd Lee Goen: Technical skills are often industry and/or position specific. Applicants should highlight any technical skills related to the position advertisement and those that add value to the position/organization. Most importantly, requirements for technical skills change with time and technological advances. This means employers value workers capable of adapting to change and continually improving and acquiring new technical skills. Thus, it's usually more important to demonstrate you are capable of learning and developing technical skills than it is to have a specific skill set upon hire (although this is not true for some positions/industries).
That said, technical skills related to online presentations, virtual meetings, virtual networking, remote working and the like are hot commodities right now. While most organizations were in the process of adopting many of these technologies and ways of doing business pre-pandemic, the pandemic accelerated the process. Organizations are making it work, but they often don't know best practices or the most efficient means of working in the largely virtual, pandemic environment. Post-pandemic, many of the remote/virtual changes the pandemic brought will stay in some form. Technical skills that support this type of workplace will make applicants stand out to many employers because they need/want to do virtual/remote business better.
What's a good job out of college for Major Account Representatives?
Todd Lee Goen: Pandemic or no pandemic, the best job out of college is one that sets you on the path to achieve your ultimate career goal(s). Reflect on where you want to be in five or ten years or even twenty-five years. Then consider positions that will set you on the path to achieve that goal. Very few people land their dream job upon graduation - dream jobs are typically those we're not qualified to do without some additional work experience and training. A good job is one that will help you achieve your goal(s) - just don't frame it that way in the interview.
Good jobs pay a livable salary for the location, offer benefits (health insurance and retirement at minimum), and provide professional development opportunities (these can take a variety of forms). Too often, college grads overlook professional development. If an employer isn't willing to invest in you, there's no guarantee you will succeed in the job. Good employers understand they need qualified employees who continually develop their skills and abilities, and good employers will make sure employees have the resources they need to succeed.
Herbert Fiester Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral ProgramValdosta State University
Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Major Account Representative job market given the pandemic?
Herbert Fiester Ph.D.: This is an interesting question. On one hand, I expect organizations are treading water right now related to new hires while they weather the current atypical pandemic business conditions and an uncertain future. I know budgets in many industries, including public education, have been frozen. On the other hand, the pandemic has brought new challenges to how people work. New processes have been developed and are being utilized to allow productivity to continue. Many of these changes require employees to be trained to do these new process and use new productivity tools, which provides excellent opportunities for people with the ability to train others especially with technology related skills. I expect individuals with technology training skills will be in high demand even with the tight budgets. If, and when, the effects of the pandemic start to recede, I expect all organizations will look to shore-up human resource gaps where those needs exist.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Major Account Representatives to find work opportunities?
Herbert Fiester Ph.D.: I used to think of "place" as a geographic location, but with the technological changes that have occurred within the past several years, and especially this past year, many doors have opened to allow flexible working conditions. Telecommuting, remote work, working from home, and telework, which were once frowned upon by many employers, have now been embraced. With this new acceptance, "place" becomes much less about geographic location and much more about industry type. I have not observed a lot of activity in higher education and P-12 domains lately due to the pandemic and tight budgets, and industry probably holds the most opportunity. Applicants who are willing to work in flexible work models will have access to many more job opportunities.
What Major Account Representative skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Celeste Spier Ph.D.: If a student opts to take a gap year, recommended skills to gain include the Naceweb sought by employers according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which are critical thinking, communication, teamwork, digital technology, leadership, professionalism/work ethic, and global/intercultural fluency. Technical skills are especially powerful in catching the eye of a recruiter in today's job market. Many free resources like EdX and Coursera exist to boost technical skills at no cost. For students who are taking a gap year because they are uncertain of their future career goals, their gap year should focus on exploration and reflection to ensure they end the year with a better sense of direction and next steps.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Major Account Representatives to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Owens Ph.D.: Historically, the greatest number of jobs in international business have been located in the major trade areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. However, the work from anywhere trend could open more opportunities for international business in areas outside traditional trade centers.
What Major Account Representative skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Uric Dufrene: First, I would not recommend a gap year. One of the skills that is critically important, regardless of the time period, is adaptability. Learning how to adapt to the circumstances around you is a skill that is valued in the workplace, regardless of the year. This is a key part of problem solving. Solving problems with the conditions and resources on hand will prepare you for a lifelong success in any field. As a graduate develops a reputation for problem solving, they emerge as a "go to" employee and will be seen by others as a leader, in their department or company.
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorMinnesota State University Moorhead
Paseka School of Business
What general advice would you give to a Major Account Representative?
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.: I have frequently observed anxieties about the new job and doubts about their capability toward uncertainties to the new journey and future. This encountered situation is a very different immediate environment beyond their comfort zone, which is rarely experienced in the school-affiliated environment. Accordingly, I have commonly given relatable and motivational advice to encourage my advisees and mentees; but importantly, the advice should be tailored to an individual's interests and circumstances since all individuals are not the same. Although I cannot describe all the individual cases here, I have commonly encouraged my students and mentees who first step into their careers as follows.
'Trust yourself and realize and develop your potentials. Enjoy your job for achieving your happiness.'
I believe having confidence and realizing potentials are critical factors to enter and adapt to new fields. Since humans, as we are, experience repeatedly mistakes and successes during the lifespan, we should recognize the rises and falls. In this premise, we should trust ourselves and develop our potentials as a baseline. Also, I believe we attempt to begin with a career path for achieving happiness by doing where individuals have values. Although some discussion points exist to establish the personal meaning of happiness (e.g., financial status, job security, etc.), pursuing happiness is an innate and ultimate goal to us all the time.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Major Account Representative job market given the pandemic?
Geoff Kaufmann: Working remotely and integration of personal and professional lives and in many cases increased productivity of those workers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Major Account Representative job market given the pandemic?
Annemarie Franczyk: Workplaces will be shifting to remote formats as businesses discover how much money is to be saved by not having to pay rent, a mortgage, WiFi, utilities and other expenses of a brick-and-mortar location. Workers will need to continue to prove to bosses that they can work independently and be productive and responsive from their home offices. Today's students and tomorrow's workers will have had that experience in spades for more than a year as the majority of courses and many activities moved online. Therefore, they and will be poised to do quite well the new and evolving remote employment environment.
What general advice would you give to a Major Account Representative?
Annemarie Franczyk: Never settle and never settle down. Both notions suggest dropping where you are and staying put and being hopelessly stuck. When you're hopelessly stuck, you're not learning, growing and advancing. Always look for the next opportunity to do something interesting. Take chances. If you do, you will have a lifetime of no regrets.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Major Account Representative job market given the pandemic?
Christopher Sippel Ed.D.: The focus on remote working will continue to expand rapidly and transform how we define the workplace. In many ways, it will also make the job market more competitive as anyone, anywhere can be a candidate. Lots of international business will be centered on global health reform and there will be increased understanding of the interdependence of nations. This may encourage a stronger focus on the social responsibility of companies and organizations in promoting the well-being of all people. The job market will continue to shift quickly and in unanticipated ways. Job candidates will need to monitor and flex to these changes.
What skills stand out on Major Account Representative resumes?
Christopher Sippel Ed.D.: Evidence of continued engagement with the world despite the pandemic will be important. As mentioned above, this might be in a virtual, remote way, but most organizations are seeking candidates that show a willingness to continue to move forward despite the pandemic. A commitment to a diverse number of cultures and countries is also very important. Diversifying your experience and demonstrating to potential employers that you are not one-dimensional in your international interest becomes even more important when COVID requires extreme flexibility. Additionally, evidence of intercultural communication skills are paramount. In the time of COVID, industries need recruits that already have these skills and can quickly create positive relationships with diverse international colleagues. Lastly, the resume should demonstrate an individual's engagement with technology and provide evidence of skills in creative problem solving.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Major Account Representatives to find work opportunities?
Christopher Sippel Ed.D.: A silver lining to the pandemic may be that the location of an individual in many industries no longer dictates which company or organization someone can work for. When travel restrictions begin to ease, successful candidates will be willing to go wherever they are asked to go. In these challenging times, organizations will need people that are open to working where they are needed.
What experience really stands out on Major Account Representative resumes?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Knowledge and experience with sales technology tools and effectively navigating Omnichannel hybrid sales environments. Social selling and analytical skills are also highly important. Product and industry knowledge for the targeted verticals also stands out. Experience with specific industry vertical prospecting tools can be a major differentiator. Finally, important to complement the aforementioned ATS keywords are leadership and team collaboration.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Major Account Representatives?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Yes, there will. Many businesses are changing their headquarters, operational infrastructure and buying communications protocols. Effective vertical prospecting, networking and selling skills will still be as important as ever as sales engagements will continue to become more complex. According to McKinsey sales engagements of course have moved mostly to digital and remote which is a trend that started before the pandemic. A McKinsey survey of B2B companies finds that, "Almost 90 percent of sales have moved to a videoconferencing(VC)/phone/web sales model, and while some skepticism remains, more than half believe this is equally or more effective than sales models used before COVID-19." (The B2B digital inflection point: How sales have changed during COVID-19) April 30, 2020 McKinsey Article)
What type of skills will young Major Account Representatives need?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Young graduates need to be very familiar with the various digital communications platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and others. Also, as important is to understand the nuances of communicating content in a way that is clearly understood on the client side. These graduates must learn to not be afraid to treat these meetings like a regular face-to-face meeting as they engage and build relationships with existing and prospective customers. Effective phone communication skills are also critical.
What type of skills will young Major Account Representatives need?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Young graduates need to be very familiar with the various digital communications platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and others. Also, as important is to understand the nuances of communicating content in a way that is clearly understood on the client side. These graduates must learn to not be afraid to treat these meetings like a regular face-to-face meeting as they engage and build relationships with existing and prospective customers. Effective phone communication skills are also critical.
What experience really stands out on Major Account Representative resumes?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Knowledge and experience with sales technology tools and effectively navigating Omnichannel hybrid sales environments. Social selling and analytical skills are also highly important. Product and industry knowledge for the targeted verticals also stands out. Experience with specific industry vertical prospecting tools can be a major differentiator. Finally, important to complement the aforementioned ATS keywords are leadership and team collaboration.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Major Account Representative job market given the pandemic?
Laura Sansoni: I think the changes we will see in the job market will have to do with how employers recruit and how we will work. Many employers had to transition quickly to virtual recruiting without changing their usual recruiting schedule. In the last few years, I have seen a shift to virtual interviewing and recruiting; the pandemic simply sped up the process across industries, occupations, and geographic locations. Virtual recruiting has allowed employers to expand their reach and connect with institutions and students they would not have had the opportunity to otherwise. Some employers also reimagined their internships from in-person to virtual experiences in direct response to travel and social distancing guidelines. Being able to still offer internship programs in a virtual setting offers more possibilities for students to gain work experience and new skills.
Moving forward, employers will likely focus again on in-person recruiting and working, but I believe virtual recruiting and remote work will become a much larger offering in the future. Here at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) we have transitioned to offering more courses and programs online and we plan to continue to offer career services programming virtually to accommodate the growing number of online students. I think that working remotely or the ability to work remotely on an ad hoc basis will remain prominent but will look different based on the needs of the company and position.
What Major Account Representative skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laura Sansoni: I think taking a year between high school and college or between a bachelor's and master's degree can be incredibly beneficial if the individual approaches this time with intentional purpose. If they want to gain work experience and/or save up money for school, seeking a position with ties to a career that interests them is going to help them narrow down their academic path once they begin their higher education.
If they want to use this time to travel, they should consider documenting their experiences to reflect on their personal growth and any new skills they gain such as learning a new language. If they simply wish to take a break from their studies, take the year to explore their personal interests and hobbies by trying new things and meeting with people doing work that interests them. Lifelong, fulfilling careers stem from your passions and interests. Discovering both early will help guide them in educational pursuits as well as fulfilling work throughout their life.
What general advice would you give to a Major Account Representative?
Laura Sansoni: Whenever I work with a new graduate, I see them experiencing many emotions ranging from excitement from completing their education to anxiety about starting their careers.
For the graduates that have a job, I highly encourage them to take advantage of any opportunity presented to them. Participate in workplace events, take advantage of professional development opportunities like attending conferences or trainings, and volunteer to work on projects when asked to. Taking advantage of these opportunities in your workplace will increase your skills and experiences while deepening your connections to your colleagues and growing your personal network.
For graduates that are still looking for jobs, I remind them that the worst things that can happen in the job search are an employer saying "no", "we went with another candidate", or not responding to your application at all. While that can be scary and defeating at times, think about the positives of the situation. You didn't get the interview or the job, but you didn't lose anything either. Instead, you gained more experience in the job search process that you can improve upon for the next time. I also remind new grads to let the employers decide if they are the right fit for the job instead of counting yourself out too early. If you meet 75 percent of the qualifications in the job description, apply for the job and let the recruiter decide whether to set up an interview. Don't be so afraid of the next "no" that it prevents you from finding the next possible "yes".
Brian Abraham Ph.D.
Instructor, Full-time faculty member at Nichols CollegeAugsburg University
Business Administration Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Major Account Representative job market given the pandemic?
Brian Abraham Ph.D.: The current generation of graduates entering the workforce seeks flexible hours and more socially responsible employers. While the pandemic has instilled the desire for remote work, it certainly has hastened the process. Moreover, traditionally in-person arrangements - such as teaching - have been recast in a remote workforce environment.
What Major Account Representative skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brian Abraham Ph.D.: If a graduate needs to take a gap year, I recommend they:
Learn a new language, ideally through immersion.
Perform at least 250 hours of pedigree-level volunteering. This is volunteering at a high brand name organization.
Learn how to code in a current software language.
Learn a professional skill set such as Quickbooks or Salesforce.
What general advice would you give to a Major Account Representative?
Brian Abraham Ph.D.: While it is exciting to be starting your first job as a recent graduate, don't be too hasty. Be sure you are entering a positive atmosphere with strong leadership. Take time to ask about the company culture and turnover rates. You can find low and high turnover rate ratios on the Internet for your industry. A high turnover rate company likely has a poor working atmosphere.
What general advice would you give to a Major Account Representative?
Fred Hoyt Ph.D.: Some of the advice is contained above. Some is to reflect on the collapse of the world in March, and what they've had to grapple with since. As I told my students in September, in many ways, even business classes are "history" classes. Much of what you've "learned" that will help you will be, ironically, the shift to online communication via various platforms. I suspect that many of the distance communication platforms were as new to your business peers as to you, and in fact, by adapting to distance learning, you may be at least as well prepared for the new work environment as your fellow employees. Be prepared, too, to adapt, to change, and to learn on your own. You're the tech-savvy generation, at least that's what you tell us (and that's what your coworkers expect). Live up to it by learning how to learn without classes. To some extent, the chaos in higher education in the past year has paralleled the chaos in business, and you've had to adapt. Just like the businesses that have survived.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Major Account Representative job market given the pandemic?
Fred Hoyt Ph.D.: The biggest trends I believe in the job market will be the search for employees who have mastered (or at least adapted to) the demands of online everything: sales, fulfillment, working at a distance with minimum supervision in groups with minimal supervision, positive mental attitude, and an ability to self-motivate.
What Major Account Representative skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fred Hoyt Ph.D.: If a student (or graduate) needs to take a gap year, I'd recommend training in computer skills and other analytical techniques that were not covered in their curriculum. There are incredible applied courses available on Coursera and Udemy and Lynda, many of them taught by the same professors at schools that charge $50,000 tuition. Many are also offered by the companies that provide the software students will be using, and lead to certifications that indicate one is "proficient" in a program.
Many career centers, including the one at my school, tell students to put "proficient" on a resume. "Certified by Salesforce" is a more powerful statement. I'd also recommend in a cover letter, students point out they realized they needed additional skills, and these are the steps they took to ensure they would be able to hit the ground running. I'd also recommend taking something really different - perhaps a foreign language, perhaps the art course they always wanted to take but could not fit into the curriculum. That would indicate curiosity and motivation.
Dr. Cyrus Patten
Assistant Dean, Assistant Professor of EntrepreneurshipChamplain College
Robert P. Stiller School of Business
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Major Account Representative job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Cyrus Patten: I anticipate we'll see continued adoption of remote work, even after the pandemic subsides. Office space is expensive and represents a significant fixed cost that companies will look to eliminate now that it's clear many jobs can be done remotely. The fears that remote working arrangements can't yield productivity have been widely disproven during the pandemic. Many companies are realizing not only that the job gets done but also that workers are putting in more time than ever before. As the boundaries between work and home have become blurred, so too has the notion of a "workday".
The tech and consumer goods sectors have done quite well during the pandemic. Consumption has only increased, and large online retailers were well-positioned to meet the need. Businesses in these sectors will continue to thrive even after the pandemic, with extra cash on hand to invest in new ventures or expansions.
What skills stand out on Major Account Representative resumes?
Dr. Cyrus Patten: The skills that stand out the most are not always what you'd expect. In a recent update to the IBM Institute for Business Value Study, it's clear that executives crave applicants with critical human skills. These are skills like agility, adaptability, and teamwork. For the first time, these skills have surpassed the "hard" skills like computer skills and other core technical skills.
Personally, I always look for applicants who have demonstrated a concern for their community, ethics, or social justice. I can train a skill. I can teach competence, but I can't train someone to be an involved citizen or an ethical business leader.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Major Account Representatives to find work opportunities?
Dr. Cyrus Patten: For starters, the pandemic has shown that you can work from almost anywhere. So I expect recent grads to flock to areas that offer a high quality of life (like Burlington, Vermont) and a well-equipped communications infrastructure. They'll move to cities with gigabit connections, a strong outdoor lifestyle, and lots of bars and restaurants. If I were graduating with a business degree right now, I'd be looking to move to one of the entrepreneurial and technology hubs like Austin, Miami, San Diego, Boston, or Boulder.
John Rose
Associate Lecturer, Internship Coordinator and MSA CoordinatorKent State University
Department of Accounting
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Major Account Representative job market given the pandemic?
John Rose: For accounting students, the job market is good. There was a dip at the beginning of the pandemic, but CPA firms are still hiring. The number of interns for the winter season is comparable to the previous year.
What skills stand out on Major Account Representative resumes?
John Rose: Many of our students obtain their entry-level accounting after completing an internship with the organization. Students that do not receive an offer from the organization they interned with typically receive an offer with another organization. An internship on a student resume increases their chances of obtaining an entry-level poisition.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Major Account Representatives to find work opportunities?
John Rose: Many accounting graduates start in public accounting. It is easier for entry-level accountants to first start with the office of a CPA firm that recruited them and then, after a year or two, to request a transfer to an office in a city they desire.