Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Job outlook for business development managers in the United States
Business development manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected business development manager job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 33,700 new jobs for business development managers are projected over the next decade.
Business development manager salaries have increased 8% for business development managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 387,613 business development managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 215,309 active business development manager job openings in the US.
The average business development manager salary is $100,769.
Are business development manager jobs in demand?
Business Development Manager job and salary trends over time
Business Development Manager jobs over time
Business Development Manager job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 387,613 | 0.12% |
| 2020 | 269,435 | 0.08% |
| 2019 | 278,647 | 0.08% |
| 2018 | 368,864 | 0.11% |
| 2017 | 353,792 | 0.11% |
Average business development manager salary over time
Business Development Manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $100,769 | $48.45 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $96,998 | $46.63 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $95,183 | $45.76 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $93,723 | $45.06 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $92,979 | $44.70 | +1.9% |
Business Development Manager jobs by state
Most common states for business development managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 674 | 97% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,489 | 45% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 414 | 39% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,563 | 37% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 663 | 35% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 301 | 35% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 268 | 35% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 256 | 35% |
| 9 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 901 | 31% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 330 | 31% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,216 | 30% |
| 12 | Vermont | 623,657 | 187 | 30% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,662 | 29% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,189 | 29% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,696 | 28% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 894 | 28% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 576 | 28% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 165 | 28% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 356 | 27% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 257 | 27% |
Most common cities for business development managers
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newton | 16 | 18% | $100,392 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 6 | 15% | $100,173 |
| 3 | Boston | 44 | 7% | $100,301 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 32 | 7% | $81,755 |
| 5 | Hartford | 7 | 6% | $97,236 |
| 6 | Lansing | 7 | 6% | $95,762 |
| 7 | Washington | 21 | 3% | $101,454 |
| 8 | Tampa | 10 | 3% | $70,891 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge | 6 | 3% | $81,626 |
| 10 | Indianapolis | 14 | 2% | $92,605 |
| 11 | Sacramento | 8 | 2% | $122,114 |
| 12 | Chicago | 30 | 1% | $91,281 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 23 | 1% | $109,120 |
| 14 | Phoenix | 21 | 1% | $87,347 |
| 15 | San Francisco | 11 | 1% | $122,601 |
| 16 | San Jose | 10 | 1% | $121,803 |
| 17 | Denver | 9 | 1% | $88,675 |
| 18 | Baltimore | 8 | 1% | $100,246 |
| 19 | Detroit | 6 | 1% | $96,563 |
| 20 | New York | 17 | 0% | $102,608 |
Business Development Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of business development manager experts
Georgia State University
Drexel University
Utah State University
Texas Christian University
North Dakota State University
Portland State University
Washington College
Wayne State University
University of Scranton
Purdue University Northwest
University of Saint Mary
The Pennsylvania State University
Arizona State University
Baylor University
SUNY New Paltz
Creighton University
Lake Michigan College
Augsburg University
Sacred Heart University
What general advice would you give to a Business Development Manager?
Andrew Spicer: Resiliency is a particularly important skill for international business and career progression. Resiliency – the ability to recover quickly in the face of obstacles and failures – has always been a critical part of successful international assignments. The only constant of working abroad is that there will be miscommunication and mistakes. Successful international business careers depend on the ability to learn from these inevitable setbacks to improve over time. The constant change in the global business environment also leads to the demand for resiliency among international business specialists. An important role for those with a global mindset is to help companies adapt to the massive disruption to the global business environment for international trade and investment presently taking place across the world.
What general advice would you give to a Business Development Manager?
Salomao De Farias: An International Business Analyst/Professional performs a variety of tasks that contribute significantly to understanding and navigating global markets. On a daily basis, these may include analyzing data trends and market information to identify patterns and insights that help in making informed decisions about market entry, product development, and other strategic moves. Also, IB analysts will work in compiling findings into detailed reports and presentations that communicate insights and recommendations clearly to stakeholders, they will be capable to use data visualization to simplify the complex set of data that they may face when analyzing a country's market potential. They will assist in the development of strategic plans based on analysis to help the company maximize its international potential and opportunities. A key responsibility is working closely with various departments (such as marketing, sales, and logistics) to ensure coherent strategies are implemented effectively across all sectors of the business. It is important to keep track of international economic and trade regulations, monitoring geopolitical impacts on international markets, and understanding international legal frameworks to adjust business strategies accordingly. I would say that for someone entering the field, initial activities typically involve more focused tasks such as data collection, basic analysis under supervision, and learning the specific technologies and methods used in their organization. They may also spend considerable time gaining understanding of the specific markets their company is interested in or already operating within.
What Business Development Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Salomao De Farias: As businesses increasingly operate on an international scale, the demand for professionals who can analyze and navigate international markets continues to grow. Adding to this, the advancement in data analytics tools has enhanced the capability to collect and analyze extensive amounts of data, making international business analysis more efficient and insightful. AI tools will help in this task. Understanding complex global markets is crucial as companies seek to expand or improve their global footprint amidst fluctuating trade regulations and geopolitical tensions. After the COVID pandemic and the disruption of global markets, more than ever there is a need for professional that can understand and navigate the complexities of IB.
What will help Business Development Managers increase their earning potential?
Salomao De Farias: Likes: IB analysts often see a direct impact of their work on company decisions and strategy, which can be highly satisfying. IB roles offer varied problems to solve, which can make every day interesting and intellectually stimulating. Working with international markets offers exposure to different cultures and business practices, enhancing personal and professional growth. Travelling internationally, getting to know different countries, cities and cultures around the globe. Dislikes: I wouldn’t call dislikes, rather challenges. I will start pointing that the stakes are high, as incorrect analysis could lead to poor strategic decisions. This pressure can be stressful. Also, navigating various international regulations, economic conditions, and cultural nuances can be daunting and complex. Depending on the markets covered, working hours might be irregular to overlap with different time zones.
Parfait Kouassi PhD.
Associate Teaching ProfessorDrexel University
Bilingual, Multilingual, And Multicultural Education
What general advice would you give to a Business Development Manager?
Parfait Kouassi PhD.: In the next 3-5 years, bilingual and multicultural skills will likely become as indispensable as having access to transportation. Just as individuals without access to a personal vehicle can rely on public transit or ridesharing services, those lacking multilingual abilities will find themselves at a severe disadvantage in their careers. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and the ability to communicate across languages and navigate different cultural contexts will be essential for professional growth, success, and mobility.
What Business Development Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Parfait Kouassi PhD.: Maximizing your salary potential when starting your career with multilingual and multicultural skills requires a strategic approach. While some companies offer language incentives, the true value of these skills extends far beyond financial compensation. Multilingual and multicultural individuals enjoy a wealth of social fulfillment by fostering connections, building bridges, and gaining deeper insights into diverse perspectives and ways of life. If you want to maximize your financial gain and your chosen field does not directly reward language proficiency, you should be aware that numerous opportunities exist across various industries that actively seek out and compensate individuals with your unique skill set. Fields such as international business, diplomacy, education, healthcare, and tourism highly value bilingual and multicultural individuals for their ability to facilitate communication, build bridges, and drive innovation in diverse contexts.
What will help Business Development Managers increase their earning potential?
Parfait Kouassi PhD.: My advice would be to embrace these valuable competencies as a competitive edge. Research shows that individuals with multilingual and multicultural backgrounds possess enhanced cognitive abilities, including improved working memory and mental flexibility for solving problems in innovative ways. They should actively seek out opportunities that allow them to leverage these unique strengths and pursue their passions while making meaningful contributions to their chosen field.
Brent Allred
Professor of International Business and Strategic ManagementUtah State University
Marketing
What general advice would you give to a Business Development Manager?
Brent Allred: As noted above, for international business careers and job opportunities, understanding how the global marketplace works is critical. This is necessary at the macro and micro levels. You need to understand key global trends, but also factors that influence specific countries and even subsegments within those countries. The critical skills of Accounting, Finance, Marketing, and Operations will continue to be important. The rise of AI is changing the way I am teaching my International Business and International Marketing courses because it is changing the way business is done. I still need my students to gain the skills and understand how to conduct critical analyses for international business decisions, but AI will significantly change and improve the quality of the information and analyses. It must also be validated and not be taken without some skepticism. The students need to learn how to harness AI and add value from it in ways that it cannot provide. Otherwise, they are not going to be needed.
Ken Corbit Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in MarketingTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Business Development Manager?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: Strategic
Company Selection:
Focus on joining companies with robust sales training programs, emphasizing consultative selling. Look for organizations that invest in your development, providing live calling experiences, quota-driven sales processes, and exposure to tools like Salesforce.
Tech
Proficiency and Sales Tools Mastery:
Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge sales technologies, including CRM tools like Salesforce. Your proficiency in these tools will not only streamline your sales processes but also position you as a tech-savvy professional in the competitive sales landscape.
Hands-On
Experience:
Actively engage in live calling, take ownership of sales funnels, and work with senior hiring authorities during your training. This hands-on experience will not only build your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges of consultative selling.
Research
and Decision-Making Skills:
Develop strong research skills to evaluate companies based on fit, growth opportunities, compensation structures, and overall potential. This informed decision-making approach will set you apart and empower you to navigate the sales landscape strategically.
Mentorship
and Networking:
Seek mentorship both within and outside your organization. Building relationships with mentors who invest in your sales skills and knowledge will provide valuable insights. Additionally, actively participate in online forums to connect with practical sales
knowledge and best practices.
Ahmad Asady
Assistant Professor of Management Faculty Scholar, Challey Institute for Global Innovation and GrowthNorth Dakota State University
Marketing
What general advice would you give to a Business Development Manager?
Ahmad Asady: The role of a Marketing professional is as rewarding as it is demanding. On one hand, it offers the chance to unleash creativity, see the direct impact of your work, and enjoy a variety of experiences across different projects and industries. On the other hand, it comes with its fair share of challenges, such as the pressure to perform under tight deadlines and budgets, the constant need to stay ahead in a fast-evolving field, and the stress of quantifying the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Despite these challenges, the role remains appealing for those drawn to a career that demands both strategic thinking and creative innovation, underscored by the powerful tool of persuasion to shape consumer behavior and drive business success.
Becky Sanchez
Executive Director of Career & Academic ServicesPortland State University
The School of Business
What skills stand out on Business Development Manager resumes?
Becky Sanchez: Skills that are directly tied to the particular job the company is hiring for. Having a certain set of skills matters less than having the exact skills the employer needs. See below for common critical skills in business.
What soft skills should all Business Development Managers possess?
Becky Sanchez: -Conflict resolution
-Interpersonal relationship building
-Team player mentality
-Willingness to jump in and get the work done and focus on living into the company mission
What hard/technical skills are most important for Business Development Managers?
Becky Sanchez: -Microsoft Excel & Tableau - data visualization skills
-Data analysis skills
-Presentation skills
What skills will help Business Development Managers earn the most?
Becky Sanchez: -The ability to concisely and effectively communicate your point
-Negotiation skills
-Understanding of data analysis and how to leverage data to do your job more effectively
-Leadership skills and an interest in managing others
Dr. Michael Harvey
Provost and Dean, John Toll Professor of Business ManagemenWashington College
Business Department
What skills stand out on Business Development Manager resumes?
Dr. Michael Harvey: Above all, good Business Developers must have excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills. Their work centers on meeting prospective customers and building relationships with them. Their communication skills, in particular, must include good listening skills so that they can truly understand customer needs.
What soft skills should all Business Development Managers possess?
Dr. Michael Harvey: Across the business, the soft skills most in demand are the "3 C's": collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Employers are especially interested in evidence of projects, experiential learning, and internships, not simply majors and minors.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Business Development Managers?
Dr. Michael Harvey: Quantitative skills and computer coding skills, plus any expertise in a specific technical area, like logistics or GIS.
What skills will help Business Development Managers earn the most?
Dr. Michael Harvey: Quantitative skills and computer coding skills are in the highest demand and shortest supply-and people who can combine them with strong, soft skills end up going the furthest.
Attila Yaprak Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing and International Business, Director, Doctoral ProgramsWayne State University
Mike Ilitch School of Business
What skills will help Business Development Managers earn the most?
Attila Yaprak Ph.D.: Portfolio of the above three with different weights depending on context.
Abhijit Roy
Professor of MarketingUniversity of Scranton
School of Management
What soft skills should all Business Development Managers possess?
Abhijit Roy: These are very important, yet harder to quantify skills, not only for marketing professionals but for business graduates in general. They include the ability to make sound decisions under pressure, having a high emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) as embodied by having empathy towards coworkers and subordinates, delegating appropriately, mentoring, communicating, time management, maintaining positivity despite setbacks and adapting to unforeseen challenges, being flexible, being persuasive and assertive at appropriate moments, yet being collaborative, seeking feedback, and the ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts when needed, amongst others.
Soft skills are typically more instrumental in enabling candidates to fit into an organization's culture and be strong candidates for promotion. Most marketing jobs involve candidates representing their brand initiatives and building strong client relationships, so interpersonal, and other soft skills are often valued more than hard skills. The strongest case for having excellent soft skills is that they are more easily transferable across various jobs and industries.
Pat Obi Ph.D.
White Lodging Professor of Finance, Director, Executive MBA ProgramPurdue University Northwest
Finance Department
What soft skills should all Business Development Managers possess?
Pat Obi Ph.D.: Communication, negotiation, writing, and professional conduct, especially on virtual platforms.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Business Development Managers?
Pat Obi Ph.D.: Data analysis and presentation skills - spreadsheet, statistical software, presentation software.
What skills will help Business Development Managers earn the most?
Pat Obi Ph.D.: Data analytics, accounting, risk management, and business analytical skills, especially as they relate to financial data.
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs, Coordinator of All-University Honors ProgramUniversity of Saint Mary
Division of Business and Information Technologies (DBiT)
What skills stand out on Business Development Manager resumes?
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.: Resumes are hard. It is very difficult to predict what any employer is looking for on any resume. The "skills" section of a resume is probably not the first thing most employers are looking at. The first consideration is probably education. Those with a bachelor's degree will be sorted first in fields-such as those who have business degrees, or particularly sales and marketing majors. Those with MBAs will be placed on the top. Those who have MBAs and marketing concentrations will likely be valued the most. The second consideration would probably be experience. Someone with several years of experience in business development or sales and marketing will be moved to the top. Someone with a bachelor's degree who has a lot of experience might beat out a fresh MBA. However, MBA plus experience beats almost everything. Someone with an MBA going for an entry-level position with little experience needed will likely beat out all bachelor challengers. For new graduates, getting some kind of internship in sales and marketing can differentiate them from those who do not.
Most hiring managers will probably assume that somebody who has sales and marketing education and/or experience probably has the skills necessary to do the job. An interviewer may probe on specific skills. I'll comment more specifically on other kinds of skills below, but it's also fair to say that a candidate's soft skills should shine in the interview. Simply saying that you have certain skills on a resume doesn't mean that you actually have them.
I think that the best thing a candidate can do is to research the company they hope to work for and tailor their resume to that employer. What does the business do? What kinds of things do you think that development manager is going to do in that particular industry? How do your skills as a candidate match what you guess they're looking for? The more you customize your resume, the better chances you have of resonating with the company. Employers are impressed when you already know something about the job and the industry.
What soft skills should all Business Development Managers possess?
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.: First, critical and creative thinking. Employers value problem solvers. A Business Development Managers' problem usually is finding growth opportunities. Candidates need to learn to take the initiative to figure out how to solve problems like those.
Second, writing. The best employees know how to communicate in writing. More and more communication occurs through email and other forms of social media and apps, and as such, this skill is absolutely critical. You don't need to be a creative writing genius, but you do need to know how to write in a professional tone, present your ideas in an organized way, get to the point, and avoid errors. There is a direct line between a student's ability to write an academic essay with a clear thesis and an employee's ability to write a good email or proposal. If you can't do those things, then you risk embarrassment and possibly limited options for promotion.
Third, speaking. The American business world discriminates against introverts-sometimes at their own peril. Everyone needs to know how to give a quality speech, but more importantly, you need to sound confident and assertive in a board room during meetings. You need to be confident in front of clients. Fake it if you have to. The way you present yourself is absolutely critical.
Fourth, social skills. You need to be friendly. Get to know co-workers and clients. Find out what they like and show an interest. Find common ground. Your undergraduate degree hopefully exposed you to a wide diversity of topics you may have thought were irrelevant at some point. Now is the time to remember that stuff and use it to connect with people. Nearly everything you learned will have some application someday. It will help you connect with others. In addition, put away your cell phone when you are at work or on social occasions. To some people, a preoccupation with a cell phone communicates a lack of interest in the person you are with. It can alienate bosses, co-workers, and clients.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Business Development Managers?
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.: Familiarity with software-basic windows packages, particularly MS Word and Excel. Candidates should not be afraid of quantitative data analysis. Analytics are necessary to figuring out what your business is doing and how it can grow. Also, familiarity with whatever social media platforms are used in that industry can be very important.
What skills will help Business Development Managers earn the most?
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.: One consideration is, does the position pay commission? If so, the soft skills listed above are extremely important because the more you apply those skills, the more likely you are to grow your business.
When a manager is not on commission, there's little correlation between skills and pay while doing the job. The employer will hire you at a given salary level, and it is your job to negotiate to the best position. Once they have chosen you-that's the moment when you have the most leverage. You will never get a raise that is as substantial as what you might be able to ask for upon hire. After that, most raises are not going to be tied mechanically to performance and skills. Your next chance at a raise will be when you move or are promoted to a new position. Thus, those soft skills can affect your ability to negotiate.
I will repeat a previous theme: education and experience are probably more important than skills in terms of making more money. An employer can't really tell what your skills are from your resume. Just because you say you have a skill doesn't mean that you really do. They can reasonably guess that somebody with a degree is responsible enough to have accomplished something big. Somebody who makes it through a graduate program is probably very good at what they know. And somebody who has been in the industry and/or in a similar job is more likely to be able to walk in with little orientation and know what they are doing. Employers take risks on employees and hope that they can deliver. Thus, with more education and more experience, you are able to apply for higher-level jobs, which usually come with higher salaries.
James Wilkerson Ph.D.
Business Program Coordinator, Project and Supply Chain Management Program CoordinatorThe Pennsylvania State University
Business Department
What skills stand out on Business Development Manager resumes?
James Wilkerson Ph.D.: Skills, experience, knowledge, and abilities that matter especially strongly include target market analysis (including market research skills and knowledge), product/service positioning within competitive field, project work or coordination with sales staff, major client relationship management, and enough general business and industry knowledge to be able to relate business development to operational/production realities.
What soft skills should all Business Development Managers possess?
James Wilkerson Ph.D.: Verbal skills (both speaking and writing), negotiation skills, unfailing honesty, ability to empathize with clients' wants, and teamwork skills suitable for working collaboratively with sales and operations staff.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Business Development Managers?
James Wilkerson Ph.D.: Spreadsheet (Excel) skills (including graph production from data), basic statistical knowledge, and online information search skills.
What skills will help Business Development Managers earn the most?
James Wilkerson Ph.D.: Skill at rapidly learning market trends, relating business development to product development, and persuading major prospective clients when brought in to help with closing sales. Bottom line: the business development manager must be on the cutting edge of new market conditions and new business opportunities to help the firm organically grow its sales, especially in new markets or product/service lines.
Adegoke Oke Ph.D.
Professor of Supply Chain ManagementArizona State University
W. P. Carey Supply Chain Management
What skills stand out on Business Development Manager resumes?
Adegoke Oke Ph.D.: Effective communication, leadership, critical thinking skills. Can you be entrepreneurial in the face of adversity? Demonstrating situations where the candidate has been able to persevere and solve problems in the face of diversity would be very attractive to employers.
What soft skills should all Business Development Managers possess?
Adegoke Oke Ph.D.: In general, people skills: leadership, effective communication and negotiation skills, the ability to work effectively with people in different cultures and in a team environment.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Business Development Managers?
Adegoke Oke Ph.D.: Data analytics skills are currently in high demand, so is understanding the impact of emerging technologies and digitization on business
What skills will help Business Development Managers earn the most?
Adegoke Oke Ph.D.: Imagine the perfect candidate that possesses the combination of all the skills mentioned above. But in truth, some combination of good people skills and appreciation of the digital environment and its impacts will help.
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.
Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021Baylor University
Hankamer School of Business
What hard/technical skills are most important for Business Development Managers?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: One of the growing technical skill requirements for sales managers is in the area of data analytics. Our performance and customer systems provide a myriad of data, and the role of the sales manager is to be a sense-maker of that mound of data. What are the implications for changes in strategy or behavior evident in last quarter's activity? How can the sales manager help a specific seller "see" where the data suggest new approaches?
Felicia Hodges
InstructorSUNY New Paltz
Deptment of Digital Media and Journalism
What will help Business Development Managers increase their earning potential?
Felicia Hodges: Flexibility and willingness to adapt will help all media practitioners increase their earning potential. If you are a photojournalist who shoots still images for print and/or online publications, get familiar with video. If you are passionate about covering crime or government beats, have more than a working knowledge of sports and education, too. Heck, learn photojournalism basics! In other words, versatility is necessary and it will be expected.
Natalie Gerhart Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Business Intelligence & AnalyticsCreighton University
Department of Business Intelligence & Analytics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Development Manager job market given the pandemic?
Natalie Gerhart Ph.D.: We have clearly seen a big shift in the job market due to COVID-19. Workers went home quickly, which had a ripple effect across industries. While some workers are enjoying remote life, many are anxious to get back to a more social workplace. Working from home has benefits for the worker of multi-tasking and comfort, but also has drawbacks with work/life balance, distractions, and home office expenses (i.e. broadband, space, etc.). There are also benefits for businesses such as reduced footprint for office space, but drawbacks such as increased security risk with decentralized workers. In my opinion, we won't see workspaces completely go away, but I anticipate more flexibility and hoteling options when the workforce settles.
For job seekers, these factors have a ripple effect. Currently, we are seeing a contraction in internships. For students, internships provide experience and a gateway to jobs. With less internships, the up-and-coming workforce will be less skilled as they enter the job market. Several factors are at play. Many businesses had to eliminate skilled workers last year. Many businesses froze hiring. Many businesses asked more of their remaining workforce. As a result, there are more skilled workers on the market, less jobs, and higher expectations. This puts new graduates in a difficult position.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Business Development Managers?
Natalie Gerhart Ph.D.: For BIA students, like all students, having the ability to be adaptable and grow your skills is important. Technology is rapidly changing and will continue to change over the course of most student's careers. It is important for students to demonstrate their adaptability through multiple tools, as well as their inquisitive nature that drives life-long learning. A machine learning course is a must as well as exposure to open source tools such as Python or R. Also we are seeing an uptick in demand for visualization skills (i.e. Tableau). While I haven't seen an overwhelming benefit of certifications for our students, there are certainly several available that never hurt. Google and AWS certifications are popular.
Currently, all business students need to have a basic understanding of analytics. That no longer means simply statistics, but how to use statistics to derive understanding and business insights. Further, all business students need to have an understanding of the strategic nature of technology in a business. Simply having technology is not enough.
How have salaries changed over time for Business Development Managers?
Natalie Gerhart Ph.D.: Technology is not going away and is becoming increasingly relevant in the strategy of businesses. As a result, salaries in these fields have been trending up, and will, overall, continue to do so, I think. We have been seeing an increasing in IT spend, which doesn't always correlate with salaries, but does show an uptick in the value being placed on technology. As technology continues to evolve and become more ubiquitous, the value placed on advanced technology skills will continue to rise.
Bradley Byerle, JD
Criminal Justice InstructorLake Michigan College
Department of Business, Hospitality, and CIS
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Development Manager job market given the pandemic?
Bradley Byerle, JD: In the various career pathways of criminal justice, the majority of employers will need to continue to hire, regardless of the pandemic. Many of these employers will need to continue with practices such as extensive background investigations to determine if potential employees possess the exceptional moral character needed to work in any criminal justice field. However, the interview process may change in some ways, depending on the department and the position. Many criminal justice employers require oral board interviews as part of the hiring process. These can be intimidating, face-to-face interviews with a panel full of interviewers. They tend to ask difficult questions which prod into the candidates' background and character. Some employers may choose to conduct remote interviews due to concerns with the pandemic. However, I see that happening more in the initial stages of the interview process. I believe that criminal justice employers will still want to conduct face-to-face interviews at later points in the hiring process. In all, as challenging as it can be to navigate the hiring process during a pandemic, many criminal justice employers will have to continue on as usual, with the addition of basic precautions such as mask wearing and social distancing.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Business Development Managers?
Bradley Byerle, JD: For the majority of criminal justice positions, there are specific educational requirements or certifications needed to obtain employment. To become a corrections officer, candidates will generally need to graduate from an approved local or state corrections academy. The same is true if candidates want to become a police officer -- they will have to graduate from an approved local or state police academy. Often times there are specific educational requirements that must be met prior to entering into one of these academies. The majority of remaining criminal justice positions, such as probation and parole officer positions, will require candidates to earn a minimum of a bachelor's degree to be eligible for employment.
How have salaries changed over time for Business Development Managers?
Bradley Byerle, JD: In the criminal justice field, salaries and hourly wages can vary greatly from position-to-position and location-to-location. Salaries and hourly wages tend to be smaller than that of many other careers, however they are also trending upward.
George Dierberger
MBA Director, Associate ProfessorAugsburg University
Business Administration
What will help Business Development Managers increase their earning potential?
George Dierberger: Some early advice is to get an internship while you are in school in a multinational company. Secondly, given recent graduates inexperienced, they may want to get an entry-level position in a large corporation and network their way to the international division. Rarely will a company take a recent graduate and plug them into the complex world of international business. Being bilingual will open some doors right away.
What technical skills for a Business Development Manager stand out to employers?
Keith Hassell: Employers are increasingly looking for applied skillsets and additional certifications to set a candidate apart. Sacred Heart University has recently launched a remote work certification, which houses three modules - focusing on the remote worker, the remote team and the remote leader, providing the tools and resources to comfortably leverage and utilize virtual platforms at various organizations. Additional specialized training, certifications and more are great selling tools pending on the specific area of interest. Certifications are common in areas such as project management, sales, IT/network/software, Google application and more. The candidate needs to think, "What can I do that is beyond my coursework to show I am passionate about my field? How do I make myself stand out?" Certifications is an attainable way to do this.
In addition, soft skills continue to be equally important in today's job market. NACE (the National Association of Colleges and Employers) identified seven core competencies that employers seek from entry level candidates which include critical thinking/problem solving, oral/written communication, teamwork/collaboration, digital technology, leadership, professionalism/work ethic, career management and global/intercultural fluency.