How I Got My First Role As A Social Media Executive

Posted on by Lucy Smith in How I started

My name is Aysen Miller, I am 22 years old and I work as a Social Media Executive for b.theagency. They are a 360 fashion, beauty and lifestyle communications agency and I have been working in this role for a week.

1. How did you get your role as Social Media Executive?

Since graduating in July I applied for around 10 jobs that had descriptions specific to my skills. After two interviews, I started a four month internship with a fine-jewellery platform managing their marketing and social media, and I also launched my blog – Style By Aysh during this time. I began to receive a number of messages from headhunters on LinkedIn recommending me for new jobs but none of them took my fancy.

Image: Style By Aysh Blog

b.theagency follow my blog account on Instagram and after a number of promotional posts and mentions of new job roles I asked for some more information. I went into the office for a chat with the CEO (talking about my experience and realising we had a lot of common interests). I was asked to complete a task by the next day which I did within an hour of leaving (eager beaver!) and was offered the position straight away!

2. What do you find the most challenging about being a Social Media Executive?

Time constraints. Knowing that each client has specific needs and meeting deadlines is a difficult task for me, because as a constantly growing agency it is very fast-paced and if I don’t keep on top of my workload I can get overwhelmed. I try to avoid this by creating my own workflow to help with my time management.

3. What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy that I get to do what I love. I have been obsessed with social media ever since I had a phone that I could download apps on. I love being trusted to create content for each client knowing that it will be seen by thousands of people. I love planning and curating content for each social platform based on the brand ethos and consumer audience.

4. What 3 activities do you do every day?

  • Checking my emails – this is a vital part of my day-to-day routine. I try to check them twice a day and go through them all in one go, and this involves communicating with colleagues, reaching out to our clients etc.
  • Content scheduling – once content has been decided and approved I will create and schedule copy and images across social media platforms for all the brands that I manage.
  • Creative research – looking for updates in social media news, finding secondary imagery to use across social media platforms, reading up on topics relating to my clients. These are small tasks but something I try and do every day to keep on top of my work and in the loop, as social media is ever-changing!

5. What are the people you work with like?

The people I work with are extremely laid back and fun – a bunch of colleagues with similar styles and interests which makes it easy to get along. The team environment is very caring and helpful, with everyone offering to lend a hand or go the extra mile to get a task done on time. I would have to describe the workplace as completely Instagrammable! Completely white walls, minimal plants and a plethora of wall art – “it’s PR darling.”

6. Any top tips for graduates hoping to be a Social Media Executive?

Prove yourself! Don’t reel off a load of information you think interviewers want to hear if you can’t deliver the results. Intern as much as possible. You may be looking for the perfect, well-paid job but you can never move up the ladder if you don’t have the experience and who knows where the contacts you make could lead you?

Know your stuff. If you want to work in social media, your only knowledge can’t just be of how to quote a tweet or how many likes you last got on a photo! If you’ve never had the experience take the time to learn. PPC, SEO, CMS – these aren’t just cool abbreviations. Keep up-to-date with social news – joining LinkedIn groups and pages was one of the best things I ever did.

If Aysen’s story inspired you why not read more ‘How I Started’ profiles? Or perhaps it’s time to up-skill with online training, get some work experience or start an internship by visiting our Finding A Job page.

About post author

Lucy Smith

Hello. My name is Lucy Smith. I recently quit my full-time Marketing Director role at a tech start-up in London, (after 13 years hard graft getting there), in favour of starting up on my own. Why? The journey from graduating with a 2:1 in Media and Cultural Studies to Marketing Director hasn't all been plain sailing, but is has been challenging and tremendous fun. A career path that I heartily recommend to anyone who will listen. Digital Marketing For Graduates is my brain-child. I'd like to give something back, as well as have the experience of starting my own business. I will give it my all. Provide and source the very best information I can, but I know I can't do it all alone. For Digital Marketing For Grads to evolve I will need some help. Please get in touch if you'd like to be part of the idea.
Posted in How I started