Starting a career in marketing can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re fresh out of university. In this edition of #AskAmelia, Campfire’s Founder and Director, Amelia Cranfield, shares her advice on how recent grads can stand out, market themselves effectively, and get a foot in the door. Read more to find out…

Amelia Cranfield is the Founder and Director of Campfire, the Marketing Association’s exclusive recruitment agency partner. Campfire specialises in placing talent across digital marketing, e-commerce, media, and creative roles throughout New Zealand, offering full-time, part-time, contract, and freelance opportunities.

So, why should you #AskAmelia? With over 18 years of recruitment experience in both the UK and New Zealand, she’s seen it all, and she’s not here to sugarcoat anything. If you’ve got a burning question, email: askamelia@campfirerecruitment.co.nz

Question: “I’m a recent grad; how do I get my foot in the door?” 

Ah, the classic post-uni spiral:

You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.

So how do you break in?

If you’re a junior candidate or recent grad trying to launch your marketing or digital career, this one’s for you.

It’s not about blending in, it’s about standing out.

When you’re just starting out, the biggest mistake you can make is doing exactly what everyone else is doing: sending the same templated CV and cover letter to 50 different jobs and hoping something sticks. It’s safe, but it won’t make you memorable.

The candidates who get noticed are the ones who get creative.

To start off with, you should definitely ask the hiring manager to connect with you on LinkedIn and write a short, personalised note.

Pick up the phone (yes, really) and follow up. Introduce yourself, speak to your key skills, and keep it brief and polite. The goal is to show initiative and personality, two things you can’t always squeeze into a CV.

In fact, that’s exactly what Campfire’s now Senior Marketing Executive did. When she was fresh out of uni, she got an email saying she’d be a suitable candidate for our Marketing Coordinator role. She didn’t hear back for a couple of days, so, rather than waiting, she picked up the phone and called us. That one action put her directly in front of me. She stood out. She was polite, proactive, and clearly excited about the opportunity. And in the end, it was one of the many reasons she got the job.

Another thing that’s really effective to make a short video cover letter. There are loads of “how to” videos on YouTube to guide you through this, and I’m very surprised that more fresh grads don’t do this. As a recruiter, it’s one of the best things you can do to get my attention, and I’ll always watch a video cover letter (in the very few times I receive one from a candidate).

Remember – it’s about standing out and drawing attention to yourself. It you want to get a great job in marketing, you have to show that you’re good at marketing yourself.

Make LinkedIn work for you.

Before you even start applying, take a good look at your LinkedIn. Is it up to date? Does it look professional? Do you have an appropriate profile picture? Are you posting?

You don’t need to be a thought leader. But a couple of posts sharing what you learned, what you’re passionate about, or projects you’ve worked on can go a long way. It shows you’re engaged, and it gives people something to connect with.

Also, don’t be shy about reaching out. Message people in the industry. Join groups. Comment on posts. The more visible you are, the more likely someone is to remember you when an opportunity pops up.

Get involved in the community

Joining the Marketing Association is a great place to start. Go to their events, say hello to people, and build your network from the inside. You never know who you’ll meet, or who’s quietly hiring.

Networking can feel awkward at first, but it gets easier. And remember people love to help. You just have to ask.  

Final thought

When you’re a junior, you don’t need to have it all figured out. What matters is that you show up with energy, curiosity, and the guts to put yourself out there. That’s how doors start to open.

Got a burning question about recruitment, interviews, or careers? Ask Amelia.
Email your question to askamelia@campfirerecruitment.co.nz and it could be featured in our next #AskAmelia.

Source: Amelia Cranfield, 2 October 2025