Currently...

I am working in a creative role in the advertising department of a well known music streaming service!

Before I escaped...

I worked as an Account Executive for a large marketing communications agency, working specifically on one account and acting as a go-between between the creative team in the agency and the client.

My moment of truth...

I realized relatively soon after the beginning of my tenure that my former job was not for me! While it gave me some great insights into the media world and some experience in account management, I stayed there purely for these learnings and to build up my CV.

Work began to seep into my personal life and I found it harder and harder to get a happy work-life balance. I knew that my role was about to change significantly due to an internal re-shuffle. Rather than be excited by this prospect, I felt nothing but dread, as what they would deem a ‘promotion’ actually meant 12 hour days of doing a job that wasn’t for me! At this point I knew it was time to start applying for other roles. 

I found a company that I respected, one which really excited and inspired me, looked on their website, and learned that they were only hiring for a job unsuited to my experience level.

I wrote them an email saying that although I didn’t have the relevant experience for the role they were looking to fill, they simply must invite me in so that I could persuade them that I am the sort of person they would want working for them. They did, I was, and very fortunately they created a role for me!

Planning for it...

I realized that I wanted to make a move into the digital world and to take on some creative responsibility. I did some research online and I asked a few friends who worked in media for advice on companies who may be hiring in the digital sphere. I also thought about which companies I would want to approach speculatively.

In terms of interview prep I did a lot of research into the company and the market they were playing in. Although I have taken a pay cut in order to escape, I am just about able to survive off the new salary! Homemade lunches, limited booze... all the usuals!

The worst and best bits...

Worst things: The waiting. Waiting to hear back on the application I put forward; waiting to hear back on whether I’d been offered the job. It’s the not knowing which I found the most difficult.

Interviewing is pretty horrific too! Especially when you have one which doesn’t go as you’d hoped. There will always be questions which totally bamboozle you, partly because of the nerves!

Also, summoning the energy to get out of a well-established rut was a challenge!

Best things: I get out of bed with a bounce. It makes such a huge difference working for a company you truly believe in and doing a job which is intellectually challenging. It feels good to know my career is now on a path I’m happy with.

Best advice...

Chase, chase, chase. If you really want a job you should do all you can to get it. Try any method you can think of. So I would definitely advise persistence and positivity.

Useful resources and information...

To be honest I think the job sites out there are pretty useless. I applied for a company I had heard of and found interesting, rather than using job sites. This is why Esc the City is the answer!