Recently, I interviewed for a Digital Marketing and Communications position at a well established organization. It was a great experience where I reached the final round, even presenting a social media campaign for one of their upcoming events to showcase my skills in multimedia, digital marketing, and public relations.
Throughout the process, the interviewer stressed the importance of focusing on social media and expanding video content creation on Instagram and TikTok. Knowing that their target was to grow their presence among younger audiences, I delved into researching the organization’s social channels. What I discovered shocked me: while this organization had secured its username across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X, they had neglected to lock down their handle on TikTok.
I’m an out-of-the-box thinker, so I immediately recognized the associated risks. Imagine a scenario where someone else claimed their brand’s TikTok handle. It could have compromised their efforts to build cohesive brand messaging, not to mention the potential confusion among audiences. To protect the organization from any potential brand confusion or misuse, I took the extra step of creating a TikTok account and securing their username. I saw this as a proactive way to ensure their branding remained aligned and secure. Even though I hadn’t yet landed the job, it felt like the right thing to do for their brand. While I wasn't chosen for the role, I’m glad to have taken this proactive step—and I’d be more than happy to transfer the name to them.
This experience reminded me how crucial brand consistency is. Your audience should be able to find and recognize your brand effortlessly across all platforms. Consistent branding fosters trust, boosts engagement, and makes your organization memorable. It’s not just about appearances; it’s about protecting your brand’s identity and anticipating needs before they become problems.
The lesson here for companies is clear: hire people who go above and beyond. Seek out candidates who are not just ticking boxes, but are invested in safeguarding your brand and elevating your marketing efforts.
While I didn't land the role, I’m sharing this story not only to highlight the importance of brand strategy, but also to show the kind of strategic and detail-oriented thinking I bring to the table.
As I continue to search for a new role in public relations, communications, or marketing, I’m eager to join a team that values initiative, creativity, and a forward-thinking approach. Sometimes it’s about doing more than what’s asked—going that extra mile, even when it’s not expected. If your organization values those who are willing to do the unexpected to ensure your brand’s success, I’d love to be part of your team.
By: Michael-Chase Strollo
Employment
United States, Finance, Employment, Marketing
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