Advice for grads looking for their first job <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nI didn\u2019t really know what I wanted to do when I was at University. Everyone around me seemed to have such clear ideas of what they wanted to do and which grad schemes they were going to apply for, and I did not. I sort of landed on marketing, without any idea of what it actually was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I could go back, I\u2019d try and do some more work experience during the summer holidays in different sectors, industries and roles. This will not only help you gain an idea of what you want to do, but will also show potential future employers you’re serious about your career path!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Career fairs are also a great resource to get chatting to different potential employers, and taste the water of what could be of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So how did I get to where I am in my career today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSocial media is typically one of those things you accidentally fall into, and over the years you gradually work out your subject matter expertise (SME). I\u2019ve had a varied number of roles in Social and Digital Marketing that have led me to where I am today. After almost 12 years in social, it\u2019s only really been in the last 5 or so years I\u2019ve really started to hone in on my SME.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TAKEAWAY:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nYou don’t have to know exactly what you want to do straight out of uni, every job leads to something else and is good experience<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nBe proactive in your own development – your career is in your hands!<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhilst studying University I began to take an interest in a career in marketing (although looking back I\u2019m not sure I really knew what that entailed). Luckily I was already working, part time as a student, for a super supportive team in the Durham University Retail Office, and they ended up offering me a marketing and finance internship for the year after graduation. That role entailed running their social media accounts, managing the stock on the website, and being in charge of raising POs and paying invoices for the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TAKEAWAY:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nI\u2019d been applying to grad jobs before this – without much luck if I\u2019m honest. Looking back I wasn\u2019t applying for the right things as I didn\u2019t know what I wanted to do.\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nI also applied to too many, which was quite stressful whilst working and studying. In hindsight I would have been more selective in what I invested my energy and time in.<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nAs that came to an end, coincidentally a teammate went on maternity leave, so I was able to step up to Supervisor level for a year, running the retail teams in 5 onsite merchandise, food and gift shops, the online website and the marketing for all Durham University merchandise. The role was challenging as I was 22 managing people in their 50s with little experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When that came to an end I didn\u2019t have anything lined up, so moved home to my mum\u2019s in Norfolk. There I accepted a role for a local fire protection and prevention company, running their B2B marketing. The role wasn\u2019t really right for me – but it did allow me to gain B2B marketing experience, alongside running slightly bigger social channels (including linkedin, which I hadn\u2019t done before) and email marketing. I did also learn how to, and gained an accreditation in designing fire alarm systems (a random skill I love to boast about to this day!). I used this time to gain as much knowledge of social media as I could – paying for online courses to upskill myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
TAKEAWAY:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nSeize every opportunity to learn something new\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nSpend time taking social and digital marketing courses outside of work<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nStart using LinkedIn to build your personal brand\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nI then accepted a role as Content Executive at Endsleigh Insurance (at the time they were the biggest student insurers) where I wrote content (blogs) for Students (and Landlords\u2026 see what I\u2019m saying about varied). After a few months, the person in the social role left and I asked to take on responsibility for the social channels. Eventually the role expanded into Social and Digital and gave me experience in running social campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TAKEAWAY:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nDuring my interview they loved that I had taken on courses myself to get more experience<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nI asked for the opportunity to step up\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nI was proactive in setting up 121s with my manager\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nI took a CIM in social media and content writing to increase my experience (a CIM is a marketing qualification from the Chartered Institute of Marketing)\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nAfter this came Vodafone UK, where I spent 5 amazing years honing my craft in social. This was the first time I\u2019d taken on a fully social role, and I was so lucky to have an incredible and experienced team to learn from. My time at Vodafone was the most pivotal in my career. There I did a number of roles: Junior Community Manager (responding to non customer care related messages and building a community of Vodafone fans) Social Media Executive and eventually Social Media Manager. In the latter two roles I worked in high profile events, launching new products and propositions and eventually finding my SME in Paid Social Campaigns, with a specialism in sponsorships and partnerships. In my final few years there, I worked with big names like Lewis Hamilton and Emma Raducanu on multi-million pound social campaigns! I left with a heavy heart, knowing I\u2019d learnt so much from my time there but needing to gain some new skills and experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TAKEAWAY:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nDuring the interview I was confident and calm, asked lots of questions and let my personality shine through. Towards the end we covered a lot of personal stuff, which helped them know I was the right fit for the team culture<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nKeep looking for opportunities to get new experience – I did a secondment into Vodafone youth brand VOXI, setting up their new social channels\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nI asked to change roles and teams when I felt like I\u2019d outgrown my roles – these sidesteps help with your career development\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nNetworking internally with the right people is key. I identified people in my team who could help me in my development and teach me things I didn\u2019t know\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nAnd finally, I\u2019m now here at Jellyfish, a digital marketing agency specialising in Paid Social creative. I took this role because I really wanted to be on the other side of the table – the agency side! I started as a Senior Social Media Manager and was quickly promoted to Director. Here I lead our Paid Social creative strategy and content production for a number of key clients like Google and Neftlix!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TAKEAWAY:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nI was headhunted through LinkedIn, which is super important in today\u2019s job market\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nI used the about me section of my CV to let my personality shine through and really made my achievements clear in the role, rather than just actions\/responsibilities<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nThis interview was one of the best I\u2019ve ever done (despite having COVID!). I was prepared, confident and asked loads of questions about culture, KPIs – your key performance indicators, a day in the role, and more\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nI took a proactive approach to my development here – I asked to be put on the right projects to help my skills develop and have regular catch ups with my manager to discuss what training I need to do to progress\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nI got a mentor and joined as a mentor to a mentee\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nKeep using LinkedIn to shout out about the brilliant work me and the team deliver<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nFINAL TAKEAWAYS:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s a cliche, but sometimes things just aren\u2019t meant to be – and whilst not getting that \u201cdream job\u201d can feel soul crushing, something better will come along<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nBe proactive in your self development (inside and outside of work), in your career development, and in your personal branding<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nRemember to show off your personality and your passions<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nFind what you love!<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\nProgress isn’t always linear – side steps happen and can be brilliant\u00a0<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nMasterclass recording<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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