Business services is a broad career category that includes sectors such as information technology, engineering, architecture, law, advertising, marketing, human resources, consulting, management facilities, waste management, shipping and security. Planning your career and asking yourself: is business services a good career path?
What Is Business Services?
According to Dun & Bradstreet First Research, the business services industry in the United States consists of approximately 420,000 single-site and multi-site companies, with combined annual revenues of approximately $950 billion. Due to the wide range of companies within the business services industry, this sector can be a good career path and offer several ways to put your education and skills to work.
What Do Businesses Services Jobs Pay?
Due to the range of available jobs in the business services industry, salaries range from low to high. For example, the highest annual salary for a security guard is $50,858, according to the job posting website Glassdoor. Meanwhile, Salary.com says the typical annual salary for a top advertising manager is $225,341.
Types of Careers in Business Services
The types of careers in business services are seemingly endless. Here are some of the possibilities.
- Sales consultant
- Digital marketing specialist
- Event planner
- Facilities manager
- Advertising account executive
- IT specialist
- Human resources director
- Corporate general counsel
- Shipping coordinator
- Private security manager
- Corporate recruiter
- Trash truck driver
“If you’re considering a career in business services, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons to decide if this is the right path for you,” Wilson says. “Because business services span such a wide range of occupations, it can be difficult to fully understand what the role entails and whether or not it’s right for you.”
Entry-Level Jobs in Business Services
Just as there are many careers in business services, there are also many entry-level jobs. Among them are:
- Junior advertising account executive
- Human resources assistant
- Associate at law firm
- Help desk technician
- Junior environmental consultant
- Recruiting coordinator
- Apprentice engineer
- Payroll clerk
Some of these jobs may require no more than a high school diploma, general education, or vocational training. However, other jobs may require a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
Pros and Cons of Business Services Careers
There are always pros and cons to any career path. Here are some of the pros and cons of a career in business services
Pros
1. Numerous options
Given the number of sectors within business services, someone interested in a career in business services has many choices. For example, if you have strong customer service skills, you may want to pursue a career in HR, says Jennifer Spinelli, founder, and CEO of the home-buying company Watson Buys and a computer management and operations consultant.
2. Remote work
Many business services tasks can be done remotely, giving you the flexibility to work from home or elsewhere with a good internet connection, Spinelli says.
“It’s a great option for those who don’t want to commute or need a flexible schedule,” she says.
3. Employment Outlook
Driven in part by the rise of technology and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for business services is growing, especially among companies looking to outsource certain types of tasks, the data, and technology company said. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an annual employment growth rate of 2.1% in the business, professional and scientific services supersector from 2020 to 2030.
“If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding role that offers plenty of growth opportunities, a career in business services may be the perfect choice for you,” says Wilson.
Cons
1. Busy at work
Some business services jobs can be filled with pressure, especially if you work in a fast-paced environment, Spinelli says. So if you don’t handle stress well, this might not be the right career path for you.
“The job can be stressful and demanding, often involving long hours and tight deadlines,” Watson says.
2. Social skills
If you don’t have well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, business services may not be the best choice for you, Spinelli advises. Why? Because many companies in business services need close cooperation with customers.
3. Education Requirements
Some business services jobs may require a high level of skill or knowledge. For example, some positions require a good command of mathematics. Many roles require a minimum of a master’s degree.
“If you’re not sure what specific skills or knowledge you need, research the position you’re interested in or talk to someone who already works in that field,” Spinelli says.