How I Got Here: Kérastase Australia’s eCommerce Executive on creating your own legacy

“Know when to be a leader and when to be a follower, and apply yourself fully to both roles.”

Have you ever stalked someone on LinkedIn and wondered how on earth they managed to land that wildly impressive job? While it might look like smooth sailing, there’s no doubt been a heck of a lot of hard work involved in getting there.

So what lessons have been learnt and what skills have proved invaluable in getting them from daydreaming about success to actually being at the top of their industry?

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Welcome to How I Got Here, where we talk to people who are killing it in their respective fields about how they landed their awe-inspiring jobs, exploring the peaks and pits, the failures and the wins, and most importantly the knowledge, advice and practical tips they’ve gleaned along the way.

This week, we’re exploring the career journey of Caitlin Clark, the eCommerce Executive at Kérastase Australia. Growing up as a crafty kid, Caitlin started her journey with a creative degree. Working in fashion design, she learned how to keep up with the relentless pace of the industry, giving her the skills to become “a jack of all trades”. Moving from fashion to digital marketing to eCommerce (where she remains today), Caitlin’s adaptability, perseverance and willingness to learn have allowed her to continuously create her own legacy. Below, she shares her career journey so far.

What do you do and what’s your official job title?

I am the eCommerce Executive at Kérastase Australia. I align the brand strategy to the site, which mostly consists of nerdy website page builds and analytics.

Did you study to get into your chosen field, or did you start out with an internship/entry-level role and climb the ladder?

Growing up, I was a crafter-noon queen – so naturally, I thought a creative degree would be perfect for me. I studied styling and design at Whitehouse Institute of Design, which led to a fashion career that began with a design role at a Melbourne fashion label. The rag trade was gruelling, but one of the most influential moments in my career. The demand and pace of the industry forced me to be a jack of all trades, master of none – which to me, is my best asset.

While working in fashion, I was briefly introduced to consumer behaviour analytics, which seemed to calm the fight in my head between creativity and structure. This influenced a career path change and I ended up at a digital marketing agency as a strategist.

During my tenure at the digital marketing [agency], an opportunity arose to spearhead the eCommerce and campaign division which I took; [it] founded my now eCommerce career.

What challenges/hurdles have you faced getting to where you are now? Can you tell us about one in particular?

I find it very hard to be my own advocate. I recognise I put a lot of pressure on myself to work for the next step or a new challenge but find it hard to actually throw my hat in the ring.

When you’re in a competitive industry, it’s hard not to compare yourself to others because most of the time there is someone who is doing it better than you. But that doesn’t mean I’m not also deserving or ready for the next step.

What do you want people to know about your industry/your role?

The eCommerce and marketing space is still relatively new and has so much space for everyone. I think because eCommerce is such a fast-growing industry, some people may think they’ve ‘missed the boat’ to learn or get into the industry. In reality, there is such a high demand for people, including those who are just starting out.

What’s the best part about your role?

The best part of my role is being a part of a brand where you’re given space and tools to create your own legacy within your role. This is such a privilege to me. I’m surrounded by driven and passionate people who foster an environment for growth and success without pressure, where achievements are celebrated. The staff discount also helps!

What would surprise people about your role?

The number of times per day I Google ‘how to…’. Commerce is such a large landscape with so many ways of getting to an end result. Google and community forums for tech and web are such an essential part of my role.

I’m always doing little courses to upskill and stay with the pack. I think it’s really important to also stay across other areas that work alongside my role, to ensure I have a well-rounded and holistic approach to my work.

What skills have served you well in your industry?

The skill that has served me best is the ability to be adaptive. Know when to be a leader and when to be a follower, and apply yourself fully to both roles. I believe a calm ‘Absolutely, I can’ to the smallest task is what makes you an irreplaceable staff member and opens so many doors! I find the smallest jobs are sometimes the most rewarding. [Those jobs] have usually pushed me in a new direction, simply by broadening my horizons.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a role like yours one day?

Create your own legacy in your workplace. Technical skills are replaceable; what will make you an asset to your team is your legacy. I love to sit down every quarter or so and ask myself, ‘Have I worked in a culture that excites and inspires? Have I brought passion to each task? Have I mentored where needed? Have I listened and learned?’ These are really important qualities that are essential to my own legacy.

What about a practical tip?

Be resilient! I truly believe the best growth and learning come when you have to pull up your socks and persevere – be that a knockback from a job, having to put in a few extra hours for a campaign, or stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s only temporary and the outcome (usually) pays off.

Read the rest of the How I Got Here series here.

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