Don’t graduate without this!
I didn’t know what personal branding was.
Hands up. Guilty.
In fact, between 2019 and 2022, while I was at university, I didn’t even really know what LinkedIn was. I thought it was just an app to get a job. I only created it for one of my business modules in first year, connected with my seminar group, then let it go stagnant until I posted about completing my dissertation.
Truthfully, I let that app get buried deep in a folder on my phone. Heck, I might even have deleted it.
But I wish I had known what good could come from it back then.
So, don’t be like me… Keep reading for everything I wish I had done to help my career and personal brand (earlier):
⚡ Quick wins for updating your profile.
⚡ A bank of people and pages I would have followed (plus some cheeky free courses).
⚡ What I would have done differently to help my career in marketing while at university.
Because I love seeing more and more people recognising the value of LinkedIn, and I only wish I’d been better prepared to kickstart my career in marketing when I graduated.
personal branding 101
Whether you want to start posting on LinkedIn, or simply follow creators and companies, there are a few quick wins that can make your profile stand out (and I wish I’d done these sooner).
⭐ Build out your profile.
Add your Experience, Education, Certifications, Volunteering and Skills. The more detail you add, the more you’ll show up in searches, and the easier it will be for recruiters to find you.
⭐ Shape your About section.
Give it a personal touch: share a little about who you are, what you’re doing now, and what you’re looking for.
⭐ Jazz it up.
Upload a clear profile photo and write a headline - even something simple like “2026 graduate looking for a full-time marketing role.”
⭐ Follow and learn.
Connect with creators who inspire you and follow your dream companies. You’ll see their culture, stay updated on opportunities, and learn every time you scroll.
And if you’re stuck for posting ideas?
Start small. Share what you’re learning at university, your assignments, extra-curricular projects, or even topics that spark your interest.
And why bother with personal branding as a student?
Because it’s never too early to get noticed. A strong LinkedIn presence helps you stand out in a crowded job market, build a network, and even attract opportunities before you graduate.
Think of it as investing in your future self mwah 💋
my education bank
A huge game-changer for me since I graduated was making my homepage scroll an educational one. That means following the right people, pages, and brands.
I feel like there’s huge pressure to do external learning, but having that content visible while scrolling helped lift a weight off my shoulders, and also helped me learn a lot, quickly, when I was fresh into the industry.
Plus, I played catch-up completing online courses quickly just to add them to my CV, when I could have been doing them at my own pace in the background, doing a little more when I had the time.
You know what I’m about to say… I just wish I had done it earlier!
People:
Oh, I could add so many more! xxx
Pages/Brands/Communities:
💗 The Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Courses
Newsletters:
💗 HeyOrca.
Podcasts:
💗 The Chartered Institute of Marketing.
To anyone reading: if you have anything you’d add to my list, please DM me! I still find learning just as important nearly three years into the industry as I did at the beginning 🥰
a fully packed CV
As a graduate trying to break into the marketing industry, I was stumped. It felt like every entry-level role wanted 2+ years’ experience, and I wondered how I was even going to land a role.
I didn’t think they’d be interested in my ‘free’ or volunteering work, however, this is so important when you’re starting out.
So, what would I have done differently, earlier?
1. find marketing opportunities.
Now more than ever, there are so many ways you can get creative to help build a portfolio. You might become a course champion, support your university/student union with their socials (I’ve even seen some part-time paid positions for this), or, if you’re in a society, see if you can become the social media rep.
I supported social media for my cheerleading society, where I identified key milestones (like becoming the most-followed sports account at the university), alongside other duties - creating assets, videos, copy, and more. After not seeing much success on my CV, I remembered to add it!
But there’s also so much to learn about the impact marketing can have on businesses. I’ve seen individual branches of restaurants or stores create a TikTok account, looking back, I would have loved to do this at the restaurant I worked in part-time.
If you don’t have an opportunity like this, many people have found portfolio success by asking local businesses on Facebook groups if they need support - whether that’s a logo redesign or creating a bank of branded assets.
2. build a portfolio.
It sounds scary, but it really doesn’t have to be.
Just a few screenshots of your work, before-and-after comparisons, some key callouts, or even testimonials if you have them.
I actually found that for a few of my university modules, I had identified new marketing opportunities for businesses or re-branded them, which I could add to my portfolio. Yes… ‘theoretical’ work is still just as valid. It’s an opportunity to show off your creativity and what you can do.
A portfolio is great for conveying your skills, complementing your CV, and showing employers why you would be a strong addition.
(Not forgetting… It’s great to shout about on your LinkedIn 😉)
3. tailor your CV.
Put a marketing spin on it by adding relevant experience, courses, university modules, or skills in marketing platforms.
Build a story in your professional statement section about why you’d be the perfect fit for the role (I hadn’t updated mine in years) !!!
my holy grails:
Now it wouldn't be fair if I brain dumped all this information on you and let you fend for yourself! Here are some of my top resources for all things stripping your personal brand back to see what’s realistic:
⚡ [Course] Google’s Fundamentals of Digital Marketing.
⚡ [Blog] How to Create a Marketing Portfolio.
⚡ [Community] Pretty Little Marketer Membership (ofc).
️to cut the story short
If you've read my entire blog - thanks for staying around! Here's a quick-fire recap:
️⚡ Optimise your LinkedIn! Complete your profile, add a headline and photo, follow creators and companies, and share university or extra-curricular projects.
⚡ Make your feed educational - follow people, pages, newsletters, courses, and podcasts to grow your skills and knowledge.
⚡ Gain practical experience, build a portfolio of projects, and tailor your CV to highlight relevant skills and achievements.
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