Real Model Interview featuring Lucy Yiasoumi, Social Media Executive at Auto Trader UK and Rising Star of the Year for 2021
We recently had the pleasure of catching up with our Rising Star of the Year for 2021, Lucy Yiasoumi, Social Media Executive at Auto Trader UK.
Read more below.
Congratulations on being named this year’s Inspiring Automotive Woman of the Year. How did it feel when you first heard the news?
Thank you! It felt amazing. I really didn’t expect it at all so I was very shocked and felt like the email had been sent to the wrong person but once I realized it was actually for me it felt great.
How does it feel to be recognised by your colleagues in the Inspiring Automotive Women Awards 2021?
It feels amazing. Being so early on in my career, I am constantly second-guessing myself and I’m never 100% sure that I’m doing things right so to be recognized in this way is such an honour. I know that time goes into writing these nominations, so I really appreciate the fact that colleagues of mine took time out of their busy diaries to write it.
You are a Social Media Executive at Auto Trader UK. What does your job entail?
I work in the consumer marketing side of Auto Trader within the social and content team. A big part of my role is making sure that we have entertaining and engaging daily content across all of our channels (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok). This involves working alongside our in-house creative team and freelancers to brief content, review it, write copy and then publish. In addition to this, a lot of my time is taken up by community management. This involves responding to comments and maintaining 1:1 conversations with our followers. As with any role, there are a lot more elements to this, but I would say that those are the two key areas of my job.
How long have you worked in the sector?
I have worked in the sector for just over two years. Prior to joining Auto Trader, I was actually at university studying German and I graduated a few weeks into joining the company.
What do you like best about your job?
The best thing about my job has to be seeing a project go from the bare bones of the ideas stage all the way through to live on social and receiving positive engagement. It’s really satisfying being part of the whole process, giving feedback throughout each stage, and observing how our audience reacts to it.
What are your future aspirations?
I am currently really enjoying what I am doing so I wouldn’t want that to change too much. Hopefully, we will see even bigger and better projects on social in the future.
Can you name a woman in automotive that inspires you and why?
I am lucky enough to be constantly surrounded by incredible women at Auto Trader but the one woman who inspires me most has to be my manager Tori Bell. She is the Social Media Manager at Auto Trader and she co-leads the Auto Trader Women’s Network. She inspires me through everything she has achieved in her role at Auto Trader but mostly she has shown me what kind of manager I want to be one day. She is always supportive of anything I want to try and continues to recognize me in spaces where it matters (including nominating me for this award)! I would not have the confidence I have now without having Tori as my manager and I’m so grateful for that.
What makes you happy?
Quite a deep question! The thing that makes me happiest is when my loved ones are happy and healthy.
Which word or phrase do you most overuse?
I am one of many (I’m sure) who are guilty of overusing the word ‘like’!
What is your worst trait?
My worst trait has to be that I constantly take on far more than I can manage. That could be at work but also in life in general and it always results in my being overtired and pushing myself too far. It’s something I’m working on, but I haven’t quite cracked it yet.
How would you like to be recognised (as an inspiration to others)?
I hope that I am recognized as someone who is positive and who constantly tries to uplift others. I feel passionate that everyone is unique and that that should be celebrated.
What advice would you give to women who are wanting to progress in the sector?
I would say go for it! Hopefully, organisations like the Automotive 30% Club show that the automotive industry doesn’t need to be a male-dominated sector anymore. Every year more and more progress is made so there is space for people of all genders within the sector.