From Dublin to Down Under

Kristina Gerdov • July 16, 2024

Client: Innocean

Role: Senior Account Manager

Candidate: Ruth Murphy



Moving to a new country can be both exciting and daunting. Thinking about all the changes, from finding a new home, navigating a different culture to securing a job in an unfamiliar market, it can all be quite overwhelming.


Senior Account Manager, Ruth Murphy, originally from Ireland, had plans to move to Australia but didn’t have a job lined up before her arrival.

Sydney has a thriving advertising scene, we are seeing more junior-mid level candidates on working holiday visas and they’re ready to get started in a role ASAP. Riza encourages agencies to be open to shorter term contracts to access this talent pool and that is exactly what Innocean did – safe to say it paid off.

"After learning about Ruth's background and career goals, I knew she would be a perfect fit for Innocean. Her passion for marketing, eagerness to embrace new challenges, and previous agency experience made her an ideal candidate. I managed to lock in an interview for Ruth just as her plane touched down in Sydney.” Riza said.


Ruth’s journey with Innocean started on a temporary contract, but it quickly became clear that Ruth was an invaluable asset to the team. "Ruth has had the most fabulous impact on us as an agency since her arrival last year. Ruth has gone from strength to strength in her time with us, starting out as an Account Manager before eventually becoming a Senior Account Manager and extending her time in Australia with us through sponsorship." Liam continues.



For Ruth, the transition from a temporary role to a permanent one was a significant milestone. "It's such a huge relief. With a working holiday visa, you can only work for one company for six months unless you get sponsored. After a few months at Innocean, I knew I wanted to stay long-term, so I needed sponsorship. Thankfully, they wanted the same. We started the sponsorship process, and they also promoted me to Senior Account Manager. Now, I have a two-year visa to stay in Australia and can continue working with Innocean. It's a win-win." she says.


Ruth's advice to other international candidates looking to land a job in advertising in Australia is simple: "Moving to a new country and starting a new job can be daunting, but working with Riza was so helpful. She asked me upfront what I was looking for in an agency and, once I explained my goals, she recommended the best fit for me. Having a recruiter who looks out for your best interests is so important. She supported me through the interview process, helped with salary expectations, and provided great advice on sponsorship conversations. It made a big difference in making the right decisions."

Liam adds "International candidates offer a lot of benefits to an agency. They bring a fresh, diverse range of perspectives, experiences, and skills. This diversity enhances our creative capabilities, problem-solving, decision-making and overall, gives us a more global perspective as an agency."


With 16 years of expertise in Sydney's marketing recruitment sector, iknowho is your trusted partner, whether you're a candidate seeking new opportunities on our sunny shores or a client in need of fresh talent. We're here to make the process seamless and successful. Proud winners of the Recruiter Insider 2023 Best Small Agency for Candidate Experience, we are dedicated to providing exceptional service every step of the way.


Reflecting on the collaboration, Liam describes working with Riza as easy, effective & exemplary. In today's competitive market, finding the right balance between affordability and expertise is crucial. Let's embrace flexibility and open the doors to a diverse talent pool to stay ahead.

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