I've always been the type to be painfully aware that nothing my resume says can't be beaten by someone else. Just like anything in life, there will always be someone more experienced, better, faster, stronger. While confidence is invaluable on the career hunt, I like that I've kept a sense of humility and always have been straight forward in my skill set. The competitive job market leads people to say false, exaggerated things about their experience to boost themselves to the top of the candidate list. Maybe this works, but maybe it doesn't. I only know that I've gotten every position I've ever had from clearly listing what I have actually done and what I feel comfortable with. My worst fear is being thrown into something I don't know how to do, but not being able to ask for guidance because I decided to act like an expert.
This may shock you, but you know who else gets creative with wording to entice people? Employers. I've kind of noticed it in the past, but I've been on the job hunt for about a week now since I lost my job. Of course not all employers do this and this isn't to sound snarky since a future employer may be reading this...right...this...second. ;) I've clicked on a lot of positions recently that say "Account Executive" or "Brand Manager" or "Influencer Relations." My dream is to work in content creation, social media strategy, copywriting, influencer recruiting/outreach, or a combination of all of the above. The more job descriptions I read that sound like they are social media and content focused at their core end up being sales. It's the one bullet point about reaching new clients to foster relationships that makes me painfully aware it's a sales pitch.
I've done retail sales in a storefront and I've done "hot leads" sales calls from an office setting. When I was hired at the job that required me to do the second style, I asked in my interview if any cold calling was required. I was told "no, they're all hot and they WANT to be contacted!" I'm a little wiser now and I find myself asking if there is such a difference between a "hot lead" and cold calling, especially if you repeatedly contact them. I started to feel more like a nuisance than anything with little positive results. Just because someone provides their contact information, doesn't always mean they want to hear from you or want your product. I'm sure someone who works in sales will disagree and have evidence to prove why I'm wrong. I've discovered that I personally don't like making sales calls because I don't like annoying someone, having my job performance evaluated on how other people react to my way of informing them about the product, and... it's 2020. If someone *truly* wanted what you were selling, I think the information is easy enough for them to find.
I love cultivating relationships and being the bearer of good news. Recruiting? Sounds fun... I get to tell people they made it in to the job, school, club, etc. Social Media Marketing and anything about it?! SOUNDS AMAZING. I love social media because at its core... it's called social for a reason. What can we do to get people interested, engaged, and want to talk to us? It takes creativity and creativity is fun. Influencer Relations? I AM HYPED. As an influencer myself who receives requests to collaborate almost daily, I understand how important it is to find a good fit for the product to the influencer and their audience. I understand influencers because I've been on the other side, so how cool would it be to search for them? That's some "selling" I'd love to do. You can make someone's day and build a relationship, instead of focusing on what money they can give you.
I've been struggling in week 1 of the job search. I knew it would be challenging because it feels like the job market is more competitive than ever with so many losing their jobs from Covid-19. Opportunities that sound appealing either aren't what I thought they were or won't contact me for my lack of "experience." It's true that you won't find "Social Media Strategist" anywhere on my resume. I've never done it for a company. It's also true that my degree isn't in Marketing or PR. I'm not a student, so I'm ineligible for internships. I'm kinda stuck in the in-between. Having a degree in marketing and understanding what SEOs are won't guarantee success. Honestly? Neither does follower count, and neither does great content. I've seen accounts with tens of thousands of followers get less engagement than I do or accounts consistently produce phenomenal content, but not grow. It takes a special blend, which I know I have and why I'm refusing to compromise.
I had 4 requests for an interview over the past week. I accepted 2. One of those two was a no-show on ME. I guess that's the sort of thing that happens now in the virtual environment. I don't get nervous for interviews anymore either. I guess it helps that I currently have a back-up job and various small sources of income. It takes the pressure off and I'm really exhausted from settling. If a position isn't what I'm looking for, isn't paying what I deserve, etc., I'm not interested. I am tired of my resume making it look like I enjoy jumping from job to job every year to 18 months. I really don't. I'm just constantly building myself up. If a better position comes along, I take it. This time, I want to be so selective that I end up in a position worth staying in for years and one that is rewarding because it is actually what I want to do.
It's amazing how my mindset has managed to stay this positive when many are scared. I understand the fear that comes from losing a job, but I am choosing to remember that when one door closes, a window opens. Or... maybe it closed because that's not your house anymore and the door is open on your new mansion down the street. Don't be afraid to move and grow.
xx Ashley
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