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.

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.
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