You’re 22 years old and you have just graduated from a prestigious university with a degree in marketing. You cut your teeth at an internship at a top-tier ad agency. Now, it’s time to enter the workforce and you have decided that you want to work a job in social media marketing.
If you want to get a job in social media, here are some tips.
Having a Facebook account and a blog does NOT make you a Social Media Expert.
When agencies and brands first started creating social media positions, they frequently hired young 20-somethings just because they had a general sense of how Facebook, Twitter, and blogging worked. In 2014, this is no longer enough. Social media marketing has been around long enough that the industry now has its own experts. When you apply for social media positions, understand that you will have to start at entry-level, and understand that your knowledge of Instagram does not make you an expert in the field.
Be professional.
Advertising agencies and marketing departments employ a lot of creative people. They have cool offices, and when you head in for an interview, you may notice many employees are dressed down. This does not mean you can be casual when you apply for a social media position. You should still dress professionally, present a well-put-together resume and cover letter, and follow general rules of etiquette when you interview.
Learn to write.
A huge percentage of the work you may do on social media will involve writing. This means your grammar and spelling need to be top-notch. If you try to work in social media and you can’t write well, you will not last very long.
Be disciplined.
Applying for a job sucks. It really does. You need to treat applying for a job like it is a job. Spend 6-8 hours a day researching positions, editing your cover letter, sending out resumes, and networking — online and in-person.
Set up a really good LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn is an invaluable resource for getting a job, especially if you want to work in social media. Set up a thorough, professional LinkedIn page. If possible, get recommendations from employers or professors on your profile.
Finally…
When you get a job in social media… Be gracious, be humble, work hard, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and have fun!
For additional tips on what not to do once you are in the workforce, see our guide, “Top 10 Ways Millennials Sabotage Their Careers.”
