My Actual Job

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Content Creator for a Fashion Magazine

Q1: Where are you located?

A1: I'm located in Sydney, Australia.

Q2: What is your role title?

A2: My role title is Digital Content Editor.

Q3: In your words, describe what you actually do?

A3: I create and edit articles on fashion, culture, and entertainment for the website and digital platforms. This involves writing articles, conducting interviews, reviewing products, covering events, and pitching story ideas..

Q4: How long have you been doing this role for?

A4: I've been in this role for around 2 years now.

Q5: How did you get to this point in your career?

A5: I started out as an intern at the company right after university. I impressed them with my writing skills and passion for fashion and worked my way up from intern to assistant editor to my current editor position.

Q6: When it comes to remuneration, what are your three B’s? (Base, Bonus, Benefits?)

A6: For remuneration, my base salary is quite good for my level of experience. I also get an annual bonus if I meet targets. Benefits include health insurance, paid annual leave, and reimbursement for work expenses.

Q7: I’m not going to ask you who you work for, but, what industry is your company in?

A7: I work in the media industry for a fashion and lifestyle publication.

Q8: When it comes to work flexibility, is your work primarily office-based, fully remote, or a mix of both? Which do you prefer? Does your company allow you to be flexible?

A8: My work is a mix of office and remote. I come into the office 3 days a week for meetings and collaboration. The other 2 days I work from home. I like the balance this provides. My company is quite flexible

Q9: What does an average week or a typical day look like for you? Can you walk me through your day? What time do you arrive and start at work, what are your main tasks/responsibilities, who do you interact with, what meetings do you attend, etc.?

A9: A typical day starts around 9 am either at home or in the office. I'll check emails and get caught up on the latest news and trends. I spend the bulk of my day writing and editing articles, ensuring they are accurate, compelling, and on trend. I'll pitch in story ideas at our morning meeting. I also do 1-2 interviews per week with designers, celebrities, or brands. I attend photoshoots to cover new collections or products. I wrap up around 6 pm.

Q10: What does a typical day look like when things are going well vs a more challenging/stressful day?

A10: On good days, I'm energized and creative, pumping out great content. On stressful days, I'm scrambling to meet tight deadlines or dealing with writer's block.

Q11: What skills or knowledge are most important for your day-to-day work?

A11: The most important skills are being a strong writer, having extensive fashion knowledge, being able to work quickly, and handling pressure well.

Q12: What are some examples of recent accomplishments or contributions you've made in this role?

A12: Some recent accomplishments were a well-received celebrity profile I wrote and a successful photoshoot I directed for our cover story last month.

Q13: Do you have a supportive manager and do you feel valued?

A13: My manager is very supportive and gives me room to take risks and be creative. I feel valued for my work.

Q14: How much time do you spend collaborating with colleagues vs working independently?

A14: It's a mix - I write independently but collaborate closely with photographers, designers, and colleagues to brainstorm ideas and review each other's work.

Q15: Is there anything you wish you would have known before starting this role?

A15: I wish I had known how demanding and fast-paced this work can be on some days. The long hours can take getting used to.

Q16: What do you hate most about your role?

A16: The constant deadlines and pressure can be the worst part of this job.

Q17: What do you love most about your role?

A17: I love getting to be creative, write about an industry I'm passionate about, and see my work published. It's very rewarding.

Q18: What’s the next role for you and when do you hope to achieve this?

A18: I hope to be promoted to a senior editor position within the next 2 years.

Q19: Is your next role going to be with the same company or a different one?

A19: I plan to stay with this same company for my next role. I'm invested in growing my career here.

Q20: What’s one piece of advice you could give to someone who aspires to reach your position?

A20: My advice is be passionate about fashion, continuously work on your writing skills, learn to work well under pressure, and don't be afraid to speak up with story ideas!

Q21: It’s Day 1 for someone in your role. What one piece of advice would you give them to succeed?

A21: If it's your first day in a role similar to mine, my advice would be:

- Come in eager to learn and absorb as much as you can from the editors around you. Ask lots of questions.

- Get to know the pace and rhythms of the office. Fashion moves fast, so be prepared to jump right into quick deadlines.

- Pitch story ideas early and often. Don't be shy about sharing your perspectives. Creative thinking is valued here.

- Manage your time wisely. You'll need to juggle long-term projects and quick hits every day.

- Don't be intimidated. You were hired for a reason - because they saw potential in your writing skills and passion for fashion. Trust in those strengths.

- Build strong relationships. Meet photographers, designers, and editors you'll collaborate with. Your network is invaluable.

- Take initiative but also follow feedback. Find the balance between being proactive and open.

- Handle the pressure well. Know that some days will be chaotic, but keep your cool. Most importantly, come ready to immerse yourself in an exciting, creative industry. Maintain that enthusiasm and drive every day

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