Dear Younger Me: Insightful Advice from Industry Experts

Earlier this month, iknowho put together and hosted an event for young people either looking to join the advertising industry, or further their advertising careers.

Over 50 attendees at the event, titled Dear Younger Me, were treated to an insightful and candid discussion from the panel of industry leaders (Jasmin Bedir, Sophie Lander, and Rachel Lounds) steered along by Young Bloods Co-Chair (Charlotte Berry).

If you weren’t able to attend, don't worry!

We have compiled the most valuable takeaways for you here. The advice they offered up to their younger selves is good advice for us all.

What qualifications do you need to start your career in advertising?

If you are looking to start your career in advertising don’t hang all your hopes on a degree. Going to university can broaden your network, give you life experience, and teach you the theory of advertising / marketing / communications.

But there are also other pathways into advertising, such as: starting as a receptionist as Rachel did, joining the production department as a trainee, attending a design college, or even doing an ACA short course.

“Personally, I never look for degrees in any of our people … I don’t have a formal university degree either” Jasmin Bedir.

Show your interest by asking questions about the business

Sophie Lander shared some questions anyone can ask at an agency job interview to show they are interested in the business & its' future.

Where do you see the business going in the next 12 months?
What capabilities is the agency looking to grow?
How did you find <high profile client project?
What other clients are you looking for ?

Overall our panel agreed they look for the following attributes in their teams:

Someone that really cares about the industry
Is interested & shows their interest in the agency by asking questions
Is a self starter / self motivated
Shows Resilience and cover recover / learn from mistakes

Confidence tips

Being in the creative industry, your work is constantly judged by subjective standards. None of us feel confident 100% of the time, and moments of self doubt are completely normal.

So Rachel Lounds, Confidence & Mindset Coach, shared some simple tips to help build confidence & resilience at work:

Put feedback into context rather than internalise it
Reframe those thoughts “I mightn’t be able to do it right now, but I’m smart enough to find out!”
Up to 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some time, so talk about it
Just keep going - Confidence comes from taking action
Focus on progress over perfection

Another tip we loved from Charlotte Berry, was to “find one or 2 people that really believe in you & stick with them”. Borrowing the belief of a mentor is a real confidence boost, and one day you might pay it forward by being that person for someone else!

To wrap things up our panel shared the advice they would give to their younger selves.

“Ask more questions earlier on. If someone smarter than me was in a room, ask them how did they come to that decision” - Sophie Lander
“Work on believing in yourself. Ask for help, guidance, and a mentor” - Rachel Lounds
“Build a network. Make connections” - Jasmin Bedir
“Put up your hand for everything. Get involved!” - Charlotte Berry

We hope you found these tips and advice from industry experts helpful. If you are looking to take the next step in your agency or marketing career reach out to one of our specialist consultants today.

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Signs It’s Time to Hire a Marketer…and how to get it right

By Kristina Gerdov • September 3, 2025

For many growing businesses, marketing is often something that gets added to the to-do list of already busy managers or existing teams. A social post here, an email there, and maybe a campaign when there’s time. But without dedicated expertise, marketing rarely delivers the consistency and commercial results your brand needs to grow. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to bring in a dedicated marketing resource, here are the key things to consider and how to ensure your first hire is set up for success. 1. The Telltale signs If your demand generation has stalled, you’re struggling to convert interest into sales, or your brand presence feels disjointed, it’s time to stop relying on ad-hoc efforts. A dedicated marketer can build and execute a strategic plan that drives consistent results and positions your brand for long-term growth. 2. What to avoid It can be tempting to look for a “jack-of-all-trades” who can do a little bit of everything. The reality? Even the most talented marketer will struggle without clear goals and defined outcomes on what the business is looking to achieve. Hiring without clarity can lead to underwhelming results and frustration on both sides. Be specific about the expertise you need and the outcomes you expect. 3. Why this hire is so important to get right Your first marketing hire is more than just another role, it often lays the foundation for your brands future growth engine. The right hire can build momentum and shape how your future team evolves. The wrong hire however, can stall progress, waste budget, and leave you back at square one. 4. Fractional vs full-time Not quite ready for a permanent commitment? Fractional marketers can be a great short-term solution to get things moving while you build the case for a full-time hire. Just be clear on their remit. Fractional marketers are ideal for campaigns, projects, or interim support, but they’re not typically suited to long-term brand building or team development. 5. What kind of marketer do you actually need? Marketing as a discipline is broad, as are the tools used to reach your desired target audience. Do you need someone to drive digital acquisition, manage partnerships, develop content, or build brand strategy? Start by clarifying your business’s biggest priorities and pain points, then match the skillset accordingly. The clearer you are upfront, the better the outcome. 6. How to set them up for success Hiring the right person is only half the job. To see results and maximum impact, you need to set your new hire up for success. This means: Clear KPIs so they know what good Vs great looks like The marketing tools and access to the resources they need to deliver Integration into cross-functional conversations with key decision-makers from day one Bec Godkin, Senior Talent Partner says “Marketing can’t succeed in a silo. The deeper your marketer is connected across the business and understands the various levers that shape success, the greater their impact will be” Hiring your first marketer is an exciting step - it signals growth, ambition, and the desire to build something bigger. By being clear on what you need, avoiding common pitfalls, and setting your hire up for success, you’ll give your business the best chance to thrive. At iknowho , we specialise in helping brands make their first marketing hire. If you’d like to talk through what kind of marketer is right for your business, we’re here to help.

What is a Fractional CMO and could one be right for you?

By Kristina Gerdov • June 25, 2025

Discover what a Fractional CMO is, the benefits they bring, and how to know if hiring one is the right move for your business.

How personal branding can supercharge your job hunt in 2025

By Kristina Gerdov • May 13, 2025

In 2025, personal branding isn't just a buzzword – it's important for anyone navigating the job market. The uncomfortable truth is this; you're likely being Googled more often than you're being interviewed. In a digital-first world, your personal brand can potentially boost your career prospects. So how can you leverage it to stand out during your job hunt? 1. Your brand is what people say when you're not in the room Personal branding isn’t just about the polished version of yourself that you post on LinkedIn. It’s what others say about you when you’re not around. Consider how you’re being perceived online and offline. Is your brand consistent, authentic, and aligned with your career aspirations? What would potential employers say about you when they Google you? To start refining your personal brand, think about your values, your goals, and how you want others to perceive you. This means showcasing your strengths, yes, but also acknowledging your struggles and learning moments. Authenticity can give you a competitive edge. 2. Lead with curiosity, not just expertise Publicly asking thoughtful, insightful questions. It positions you as someone who is constantly learning, open to feedback, and not afraid to explore new ideas – a thought provoker and idea leader in your space. In the job hunt, this quality can set you apart from others who might be more focused on offering answers than asking the right questions. So, when you’re engaging with others online or in an interview, try focusing on asking questions that spark deeper discussions. Your curiosity and willingness to learn can make a lasting impression. 3. Your personal brand is about becoming known for the right things Remember, personal branding isn’t about trying to become famous. It’s about being known for the right things – the things that align with your career goals and the value you want to offer to employers. For job seekers, this means ensuring that your online presence and interactions reflect your expertise, passion, and ambition. When crafting your personal brand, be deliberate. Think about the skills, values, and personality traits you want to highlight. 4. Be consistent and intentional The foundation of a strong personal brand is consistency. Your personal brand is built in the small, everyday actions – how you engage with your network. Consistency in your interactions helps shape how people perceive you and helps create a brand that’s memorable. If you're job hunting, it's critical to show up consistently both online and offline. This includes engaging with industry professionals on LinkedIn, contributing to discussions, and demonstrating professionalism in all your interactions. 5. Small steps to narrow the gap So, what's the gap between how you see yourself and how others might perceive you? The goal isn’t perfection, but making small, consistent adjustments that move you closer to aligning your internal brand with how you’re seen externally. It could be tweaking your LinkedIn profile, starting a blog, or sharing your expertise. What’s one small thing you could do this week to move the needle and narrow that gap? Whether it’s posting a thoughtful comment on a relevant post, reaching out to someone in your industry, or sharing a story of a recent challenge, small actions can have a big impact over time. 6. Share struggles, Not just wins When it comes to personal branding, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only sharing successes. However, some of the most credible personal brands are built on transparency – sharing the struggles and lessons learned along the way. It’s interesting to see how you handle setbacks, not just your triumphs. Embracing imperfection in your personal brand helps paint a fuller picture of who you are. Whether it’s sharing a challenging project you worked on or a time when you faced a setback and how you overcame it, these stories can help demonstrate your resilience, problem-solving abilities, and growth mindset – qualities employers are eager to see. In today’s market, personal branding isn’t just a nice-to-have. By being intentional, consistent, and authentic, you can build a personal brand that resonates with potential employers, ultimately setting you up for success in your job hunt. So, there’s no better time to start than now.