Job Profile: There’s no better place for Marketing Executive Chloe’s ‘Creative Ideas’
Choosing the right career path is a challenge many face after leaving education, with endless opportunities it’s hard to know what the right fit will be.
Chloe Finch, 22, knows this feeling all too well and tells Armagh I about how she decided to go down the creative career route and advice she would give to jobseekers.
Celebrating its third birthday this month, Chloe has been with Creative Ideas Home and Gift Shop from the beginning as they plan for an exciting month ahead.
What was your route into the company?
Whenever I saw that Charlene was opening up the gift shop, as well as the bridal shop, I was really excited to see what was going to happen, so I applied for the role and didn’t know what to expect. I knew it would have something to do with social media and customer service but I was really excited after my initial chat with Charlene; after hearing about her dream for the new store and what my role would be to kick start their social media, which was completely new to the business.
How long have you been involved in this type of work?
My role is Social Media and Digital Marketing. I started just before the shop opened, over three years now, we just celebrated our birthday.
What were your favourite subjects in school and why?
I completed my GCSEs at Markethill High then moved to the Royal in Armagh for my A-levels and I really loved history and business they where definitely my favourite subjects.
Did you go on to university or further education and what did you study?
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in university but knew I wanted to be involved in the business world. After studying Religion, History and Business for A-Level, I then went to Queen’s University, Belfast to study Business and I have just finished my course and graduating this month. My favourite modules in university where marketing and business start-up, which I could reflect back to my work here in reality.
Did you always have this career in mind?
No, I wanted to study law for a long-time but changed my mind and decided to go down a different route. Studying business opened up different avenues and routes to go down as it’s such a broad aspect.
What do you enjoy about it?
My favourite thing is how family orientated the shop is, all the staff are like one big family we have such good craic and it’s a great atmosphere. We also have such lovely customers, repeat and new who I love building relationships with and becoming familiar with what they like.
What are the main skills required for it?
Thinking on your feet and constantly thinking ahead in terms of social media. Coming up there is the Blues Festival, Cider Festival and Georgian Day and thinking of new creative ways of what can be done a few weeks in advance which relates to these events. This month, we are celebrating our third birthday so there was lots of planning and preparation that has gone into it. Keeping up with market trends to create current content and videos is also really important.
What would your advice be to anyone thinking of it as a career?
Don’t be afraid to take risks and apply for things, even if you don’t have the criteria for it. Before applying, I had no social media experience, so I really pushed myself out of my comfort zone and saying it’s something I would really like to experience, so I took the risk and went for the interview. Be willing to learn and try new things is definitely my key advice.
How do you relax when you’re not working?
I go to hot Pilates in my free time, I love it.