Leanne Bolan Marketing Executive at Jordans Solicitors Graduated 2012: Journalism 2:1

1. Job Description: Since July 2013 I have been a full-time Marketing Executive at a law firm in West Yorkshire. In my role I produce adverts, copy, newsletters and press releases. I also create and promote resource blogs for the various departments and their websites. I have set up and continue maintaining the linkedin, google+, twitter and facebook sites as the main Jordans Solicitors and the various departments individual profiles, trying to create a mix of being professional and approachable. I liase and network by trying to maintain a good relationship with editors and other influential people to try and get publicity for Jordans, I have found they like to mention the amount of charity events Jordansstaff takes part in. Jordanshost sixth form school debating competitions, art exhibitions and charity events throughout the year which I orgainse, promote and attend. I create monthly source of work campaign and social media reports which means seeing where our clients come from, what is doing well and what could be improved on. I am the first (and only) point of call when an account/sales executive contacts one of the four offices with a marketing idea and am responsible for passing the good ideas on to the Marketing Partner as well as thinking of my own ideas. I am also the first (and only) point of call when a potential new client emails with an enquiry. I then pass this on to the relevant department and see if it results in a new legal instruction. Leanne BolanMarketing Executive at Jordans SolicitorsGraduated 2012: Journalism 2:1

2. Tips for finding employment: Before I found my full-time position I completed various unpaid work experience placements and wrote a large amount of paid freelance copy for agencies and their clients. I researched were local networking events with the people I wanted to introduce myself to were being held, produced some business cards advertising myself as a freelance copywriter and attended the events (which I still attend). My business cards informed people that I had a blog so they could look at my style of writing before hopefully asking me to produce copy for them. After an interview one digital marketing agency invited me in to their office for a week of paid freelance copywriting were they introduced me to sites such as squidoo. While there I wrote blogs on anything from hamster care to outdoor heating. They also informed me of a site called elance were you bid for work. Another way I found work was by approaching pr and digital marketing agencies by email with a covering letter and CV. By remaining persistent one pr agency invited me in for an interview and offered me a week of freelance work which I completed at their office. As I had a journalism degree but knew I wanted to work in marketing gaining more pr knowledge was an invaluable experience. I also followed all the agencies I could find on twitter and when I saw one agency saying they were having a ‘re-group’ I messaged them asking if work was becoming available. They said yes and I wrote a few articles for their agency without going into their office. By putting myself in front of people and being persistent in the three months I was being more pro-active I found three paid freelance jobs and three unpaid work experience placements . The placements were at a newspaper, online magazine and book publishing company so I was still involved with journalism. I am still in contact with these connections. The following month I found the position I am in now. In my interview I had a lot more recent and relevant examples to talk about that matched the majority of the job description and the person specification. I also brought a diverse portfolio of work with me for the people interviewing me to peruse and discuss. If you are find yourself struggling to secure a full or part time position when you leave University I hope these tips regarding freelance work as a way to find a more permanent position help.