How To Get a Job In Social Media Marketing with No Experience

Samantha Garza graduated with a journalism and public relations background and spent months after college applying to jobs. She wanted to get into marketing, specifically social media marketing, but every time she considered applying, the same thought stopped her.

"I always thought I couldn't apply because I didn't have the work to show for it. They're not even going to look at my resume. It's always like 100 plus applicants. I was like, how am I going to stand out?"

Feeling Stuck After Graduation

Samantha's kept feeling like she was facing the same problem in her jobs search. She knew what she wanted to do, but she had no portfolio and no marketing experience to talk about. She started searching TikTok for marketing portfolio inspiration, trying to figure out how to build one herself.

"A lot of the ones that came up, or at least the ones that I liked, were all from Sky Society. So I was like, what is this?" That search led her to Sky Society Accelerator, an eight-week live online program built around real marketing campaigns and mentorship rather than lectures. When she got the message that she got accepted she couldn't believe it. She was hesitant at first, but after the first group call she felt excited about the community and team she would get to work with. 

Getting the Job Before She Even Finished

Samantha didn't wait until graduation to start applying. Around week five, once her assignments were mostly finished and her resume was ready, she started sending out applications.

"I started to apply as soon as all of our assignments were done. I wouldn't have had the confidence to apply, to any marketing job if I didn't have the experience I have from Sky Society. I genuinely came in with zero knowledge of marketing, and Sky Society gave me the foundation for it."

She landed an interview for a social media coordinator role at Sunny's, a restaurant group, and the timing of what she'd just learned lined up perfectly. Two days before her interview, a class covered interview prep. "Literally everything Bri said, I did. Come prepared with at least 3 questions questions, practice talking about the platforms I use, review the job description right before. It literally just came at the perfect time."

In the interview, she spoke directly to recent projects she'd completed and to the platforms she'd learned, including Planoly, Beehive, and Monday.

She got the job before she'd even finished her last Accelerator assignment. 

The Part She Loved Most

Outside of landing the job itself, Samantha points to one assignment as the one that challenged her most: writing a blog post with real SEO research behind it. "This really challenged me. Find a good headline, make sure you're using the keywords accordingly, even conducting research I loved, but since I'm out of school, I hadn't done it. It was so fun to write it, and then getting to see it published was amazing. It's like, I finally made it."

Why It Was Worth It

Samantha now works for a fast-growing restaurant group, with a manager who has told her she's on track to grow quick within the social media and marketing team. 

"I got everything that I needed to start my marketing career, and I got a job so fast, which is crazy."

Her Advice to Anyone Feeling the Same Way

Samantha's advice comes down to something she had to tell herself over and over, just to keep applying and interviewing. 

"I'm my own biggest critic. A lot of the times, even if I'm not feeling confident, I have to tell myself, no, you got this, you can do this. Even if I'm not believing it, telling it to myself every day, you start conditioning your brain to believe it. You do have the skills for it, you have what it takes."

She kept telling herself that through 100 plus applicant job postings, and even after landing the job "they clearly hired you for a reason, you can do this. So just telling myself that every day."

Samantha's Marketing Girly Essentials

Go-to beauty product: Jones Road's highlighting balm. "It just makes your face look dewy. I use it every single day. It's so good."

Favorite brand: YSL and Prada. "I don't have the money for it, but I love just following them on socials. It's very me."

Coffee order: A classic honey iced latte with oat milk. "Coffee all the way. I could drink like four a day."

Favorite affirmation: "You got this. You can do this."