what is an account manager?
As an account manager, you are responsible for maintaining contact with your company's clients. You know them well and have a genuine understanding of their needs. You quickly identify where the issues are and find solutions. For your clients, you're not just a salesperson but a problem solver. You almost effortlessly build new client relationships and also nurture them. Your goal isn't quick wins but establishing long term and successful business partnerships. Essentially, there are three types of account managers: national account managers, regional account managers, and in large companies, also key account managers. Does this description fit you perfectly? Then keep reading to find out what your responsibilities as an account manager are.
account manager jobsworking as an account manager.
As an account manager, your main focus is on building and maintaining customer relationships. But that's not all. Your responsibilities go much further.
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your area of responsibility
- Building customer relationships: New clients are important for every business. The key to success in acquiring new customers is to build trust. You won’t get anywhere by barging in and trying to sell right away. Just listen to the potential customer. What are they interested in? Where does it hurt? As a good account manager, you adapt to different personalities. Whether they love small talk, prefer to get straight to the point, or tend to monologue, you master the full range of communication skills.
- Maintaining customer relationships: A successful sales closure is just the first step on your path to a sustainable customer relationship. You make your customers feel that they’ve made the right decision. You strengthen your relationship through regular contact to build and reinforce trust. This creates the foundation for a partnership based customer relationship that also forgives mistakes. If something goes wrong with a delivery, you won’t lose your customers immediately to competitors.
- Getting to know your customers: In order for you as an account manager to satisfy your clients, you need to know and understand them. The best way to do this is through conversations with your customers and by analysing the stored customer data. You then use these valuable insights to create tailored offers and resolve issues.
- Digital networking: You nurture customer relationships not only in person but also digitally. In the virtual world, your customers expect added value and a seamless sales experience. Through digital sales channels, you connect with them on an emotional level. You make use of personalised recommendation processes, tailored offers, and reward systems. Social selling is familiar territory for you.
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who are your colleagues?
As an account manager, you interact with colleagues, supervisors, and the sales software. You exchange information with other account managers in your company because they face the same challenges. When working with the purchasing team, you ensure that your customers are delivered on time. If a customer has payment difficulties, you coordinate with the finance department. When different customers require technical support, you contact the technical team. Your supervisors, in turn, are interested in your customer relationship management and the resulting sales. As an account manager, you are always in contact with people, whether in person, over the phone, or electronically.
types of account managers.
Account managers can generally be divided into three types:
- National account manager: As a national account manager, you take care of all customers in Switzerland and are not limited to a specific region. Since there are three language regions, knowledge of foreign languages is helpful. You work with diverse cultures and know exactly how to avoid stepping into cultural pitfalls.
- Regional account manager: In your role as a regional account manager, you maintain customer relationships within a specific region. Depending on where your company is based, this could be a geographical area or a canton. If you work for an internationally operating corporation, the entire Switzerland region also falls under your scope.
- Key account manager: In sales, you have a special role as a key account manager. You provide close support to the most important customers, known as key accounts. You build a strong relationship with these strategically significant clients and work on developing them further.
salary as an account manager.
Your gross salary as an account manager is influenced by several factors. A major role is played by the size of the company you work for. Large corporations can generally afford to pay higher wages than small businesses. On the other hand, in smaller firms, you often take on responsibility quickly, which can have a positive impact on your monthly pay. Key factors also include your technical expertise and professional experience. As a recognised specialist, you earn significantly more than a generalist. Of course, your monthly salary also depends on how many clients you manage. Find out more about your gross income as an account manager.
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how much do I earn as an account manager in a permanent position?
Your annual gross salary as an account manager ranges between 60,000 and 200,000 CHF. That translates to roughly 4,100 to 16,600 CHF per month. The median salary is about 91,000 CHF, which is around 7,500 CHF monthly. For comparison: the median salary of a key account manager is 102,000 CHF, or approximately 8,500 CHF per month. Officially, you work 40 hours a week as an account manager. However, the focus is on maintaining good client relationships, so in practice, you often have flexible hours and work customer oriented. Many companies also offer performance based bonuses. Additionally, your earnings can vary significantly depending on where you work. Companies in the cantons of Bern, Geneva, and Graubünden pay account managers very well. In contrast, the salaries are somewhat lower in Zurich and Lucerne.
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in which industry do I earn the most as an account manager?
Most earning potential is in the ICT sector and the pharmaceutical industry. Close behind are the insurance sector and public administration. The lowest salaries are found in banking and the energy industry. How much you actually earn in each sector also depends on additional benefits. Your gross salary might be quite average, but with bonuses and perks, you can become a top earner. Therefore, it's worth taking a close look at how your annual gross income is structured.
training and further education as an account manager.
As an account manager, you need a solid professional background. A good foundation is obtained as a sales specialist with a Swiss federal diploma. Alternatively, you can complete a degree in business administration. Depending on the industry you wish to work in, focus areas such as product management can be advantageous. If you want to move into the technical field, a degree as an engineer from a University of Applied Sciences FH or ETH is also an option. You acquire specific sales knowledge through courses or work experience. With a basic qualification and professional experience, you have the opportunity to pursue advanced certifications such as certified sales manager or certified foreign trade manager. Additionally, you can specialise as a key account manager. Universities of Applied Sciences and professional associations offer relevant courses.
positions as account manager.
Account managers are in demand across all industries, offering diverse opportunities. Sales specialists in the technology sector are particularly sought after. But the service sector, such as banks and insurance companies, also values your sales skills. It’s up to you whether you prefer working in a smaller company with a limited customer base or in a globally operating corporation. Are you looking for an attractive position in sales? You’ll find open roles for account managers on this page.
jobs for career changers as account manager.
As a career changer with experience in sales, you have opportunities almost everywhere. But even as a highly motivated recent graduate, you’re in demand at large companies. You can acquire any missing expertise through courses or internal training programs. A strong willingness to learn often makes up for a lack of professional experience.
career opportunities as an account manager.
You love your work as an account manager but are aiming for more responsibility in the medium term? No problem, there are plenty of opportunities in sales. You can further your professional development to specialise as a key account manager. If you enjoy leading a team, a management position in sales could be a good fit for you. With above average sales success and excellent leadership skills, you could even move up to executive management. Want to develop further as an account manager? Check out our tests and tips.
skills as an account manager.
A good account manager stands out through strong communication skills. You’re in contact with customers, colleagues, and business partners all day long. You engage on an equal footing, able to argue your point and respond to objections. One of your key abilities is tailoring your communication to different target groups. But there are also a few other qualities that matter:
- Expertise: In order to advise your customers optimally, you must know your product or service exactly. This is the only way you can convince the customer of the benefits. If your customers are enthusiastic about the added value, nothing stands in the way of sales success.
- Customer focus: Your goal as an account manager is to build and maintain a strong customer relationship. You need to understand your clients’ needs and convince them. The best way to do this is by being authentic, reliable, and credible. It also means being honest with customers when a request cannot be fulfilled. They will appreciate your transparency in the long run.
- Strategic foresight: As a forward thinking account manager, you understand that long-term customer relationships are more important than quick wins. You need to nurture the client relationship and stay engaged. Sometimes, an immediate sale doesn’t materialise. In those moments, patience is key. If the client is convinced by you and your service, it can develop into a successful, long lasting business partnership.
benefits of working as an account manager at randstad.
There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as an account manager:
✓ exciting jobs with well known companies
✓ a reliable contact person whenever you need one, personal advice really matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ continuing education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed term contract? Often, there’s the possibility of securing a permanent position afterwards. Many popular companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.
your professional development budget as an account manager at randstad.
If you work as an account manager for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. As part of the TempTraining program from swissstaffing, you can attend various training sessions. You will get the course fees reimbursed later, provided you pass the course exam. Your Randstad advisor is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job specific knowledge, all during your working hours as an account manager.
application tips for account managers at randstad.
Have you found your dream job as an account manager? It’s not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Carefully prepared, error free, and personalized documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to improve your chances:
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1. find a position as an account manager
Search through the Randstad job offers. If you don’t find a position that’s exactly right for you, you’re still welcome to get in touch with us personally without any obligation or to create a Randstad profile.
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2. applying as account manager
The job ad continues right away: apply online, give us a call, or send us an email.
Make sure your documents are complete.✓ CV with photo
✓ work references & diplomasYou don't have a CV yet or only an outdated version? Create a new layout using a free online template.
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3. preparing for the interview as an account manager
Search through the Randstad job offers. If you don’t find a position that’s exactly right for you, you’re still welcome to get in touch with us personally without any obligation or to create a Randstad profile.
frequently asked questions.
Here you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about the account manager profession.
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what does an account manager do?
As an account manager, you're responsible for building and maintaining customer relationships. You find out what their needs are, advise them, and find suitable solutions. Additionally, you ensure that they are satisfied with their purchase decision. Satisfied customers lead to long term, successful business relationships. As an account manager, you can work nationally, regionally, or focus on key accounts. Curious? Read more here about your role as an account manager.
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how much do I earn as an account manager?
Your gross salary as an account manager ranges between 60,000 and 200,000 CHF per year. That’s roughly 4,100 to 16,600 CHF gross per month. Your monthly pay largely depends on how many clients you manage and the industry you work in. Many companies also offer performance based bonuses. Find out more about your gross salary as an account manager on this page.
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is being an account manager a good profession?
If you love daily interaction with people and are always looking for a new challenge, a career as an account manager is perfect for you. With your persuasiveness and empathy, you build long term relationships with clients. This benefits both the company and yourself in a true win-win situation. Want to find out more about what being an account manager involves? Just keep reading here.
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is an account manager difficult?
In your role as an account manager, you deal daily with a variety of different personalities. You need to be able to respond to each individual, listen carefully, and have solutions ready. If you bring the right empathy and professional expertise, the job of an account manager is challenging but not difficult. Certainly, exciting tasks await you that you can solve creatively and with a customer focused approach. To find out what makes the role of an account manager special, have a look at this page.
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do you need experience to become an account manager?
For an entry level position as an account manager, professional experience is particularly beneficial. This is especially true if you're switching from a related field. If you lack the required expertise, you can acquire it through courses. Having several years of experience as an account manager can also have a positive impact on your gross salary. Read more here about the essential skills needed to be an account manager.
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what requirements do I need to meet to become an account manager?
Account managers need a solid professional background, for example as a qualified sales specialist with a federal diploma. Larger companies often require a degree in business administration. If you work in the ICT sector, a degree as an FH or ETH engineer is an advantage. In addition, skills such as strong communication and strategic foresight are helpful. With the right professional and personal abilities, you will easily find a suitable position. Discover our open account manager positions here.
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how do I apply for a job as an account manager?
Your application for the account manager position is straightforward. Create a Randstad profile and browse our job portal for open positions in your area. Found an interesting offer? Then send us your cover letter, CV, and certificates right away. Need help with your application? Our application tips will guide you to put together a compelling application.
