Before you hit apply…

A few thoughts on applying for a job, from someone who’s been on both sides of the inbox.

I’ve been doing this whole working-and-adulting thing for about five years now, and in that time, I’ve made mistakes, learned the hard way, and discovered something I didn’t even know was possible: the joy of doing work I’m both good at and genuinely enjoy.

Sourced: Pinterest

In the last few weeks, I’ve been knee-deep in CVs, portfolios, and cover letters — hiring for my team (oh, how the tables have turned). What I expected: creativity, curiosity and hunger. What I was instead: confused. My brain was screaming: where is the energy? Where's the passion? Surely this can’t be all? I know that might sound arrogant but hear me out. I’m not saying one has to have all the experience in the world, all the degrees — if that were the case, then I wouldn’t be here either. But I do believe this — when something is meant for you, it shows. Not just to you, but everyone else will be a witness. There’s a tether — a visible and tangible connection between you and what you’re trying to do in the world.

So instead of continuing to rant internally and to those around me, I thought I’d put on my big girl gloves, hold your hand and tell you what I wish more people knew when applying — especially in the social media, marketing and branding space. I know not everything will apply to everyone, so take what you need and leave the rest. Consider this a cheat code from someone who’s been on both sides of the inbox.

You may be wondering, who am I to be saying this?

Fair question. I’m not about to give you my full Paul-style résumé here, just know that nothing I’m saying is hypothetical.

I’m someone who went from being an intern to leading the department I once reported to. I’ve worked with some incredible people and brands over the years and I’ve now been on both sides — the person hoping to get a foot in the door, and the one opening (or closing) that door. I’ve freelanced, I’ve managed and I’ve navigated seasons where I didn’t know what I was doing, and seasons where everything felt just right. None of this was not by may hand alone though, shout out to the Big Man upstairs for guiding your girl’s steps but I followed the stepping stones and they've led me here.

Start Where You Are, With What You Have

My first job was as a digital intern at a wellness company. I honestly wasn’t even looking for a job — I was just passionate about wellness and social media. One day, while scrolling on Instagram, I saw a job ad that felt like it was written for me.

• Extremely creative ✅

• Obsessed with social media ✅✅

I quickly texted my uncle — because he’s great at this stuff — and we spent the entire day putting my CV together. I included everything I’d done that felt even remotely relevant, from my blog-style Instagram page to my personal passion projects. I got the job and the rest was history.

That first “yes” set the tone. Since then, most of the opportunities I’ve had came from people seeing me in action — either through referrals or from my work speaking on my behalf. That experience taught me something early: let your work speak. You don’t have to oversell. If what’s in your heart is true, it’ll show.

Look at your CV, your portfolio — does it align with the job description? Are you showcasing the right experience? If not, please — fix it. By experience, it doesn’t even need to be professional work, passion projects will do just fine. Even better, make a passion project focused on the company you’re applying to, trust me—you’ll grab their attention.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened a portfolio only to close it 30 seconds later because it felt rushed, outdated or confusing. That’s not a reflection of your potential, but unfortunately, in hiring situations, potential isn’t always enough — clarity and effort can make or break you.

Money Isn’t Everything
Now wait — before you scroll off, hear me out.

I’m a strong advocate for getting paid what you’re worth. But I’ve also taken roles that didn’t pay as much as I wanted, because I could see the long-term value. I knew I would learn, grow and be trusted with things that would sharpen me. Sometimes the job that feels beneath you, or the one that isn’t offering enough, might be the exact thing you need to sharpen your skills, connect you to the right people, or teach you endurance. I’m not saying undercharge or settle. I’m just saying: discernment will take you further than ego ever could.

Listen, if you’re early in your career, it’s worth asking:
Will this role stretch me?
Will I leave here with better taste, better instincts, better work?

Know Why You’re Applying

Check your heart. Is it for status? For the pay? Or do you actually want to be there? Do you want to serve and contribute — or just be able to claim the job title? There’s no shame in wanting a job. But when you’re applying, be clear with yourself about what you’re looking for. Don’t just copy and paste the same cover letter. Don’t apply for something you don’t understand because it sounds cool. This might sound like a luxury — and in some ways, it is. Not everyone has the freedom to choose jobs for passion. I get that. But if you can choose, choose well. Choose from alignment. Not from ego.

Do Your Research

You say you love marketing. Okay — what are the latest trends? Can you talk about a recent campaign you loved or why a certain rebrand worked? Do you even know what’s going on in the space you claim to want to work in? Keep your ears to the ground! This is where taste and exposure come in. You can’t love something you never spend time studying. You have to train your eye.

• Follow brands you admire.

• Study the ones doing what you want to do.

• Build a little mental archive of work you admire.

• Keep your references wide. Mix African brands with global ones. Study luxury, local, fast-moving, niche. That’s how you build range and train your taste.

And when you’re applying to a company — study them too. Look at their tone, their visuals, their culture. Do you align? If not, how can you stretch your taste and references to meet theirs? Think of every organisation like a country — they’ve got their own culture, language, values. Learn to speak it fluently before you ask for a visa.

Go The Extra Mile

Be proactive, not passive. Show me that you’re the solution I’m looking for. Not from arrogance, but from a posture of confidence. From clarity about your own ability because that is what humility is after all. Research the company. Tailor your application. Add a personal touch. Anticipate the needs of the role and subtly show how you meet them. Not in a cocky way but in a way that says: I’ve done the work. I’m the solution you’re looking for. If I’m hiring for a role, I already know what the gaps are on my team. So when someone applies and speaks directly to those gaps — whether explicitly or through their work — they automatically stand out.

Let Your Presence Match

Especially in marketing. Especially in social media.
If you’re applying for a social role, best believe I’m checking your page. You can’t say you’re passionate about storytelling and your page is dry. I’m not expecting you to be an influencer or post every day. But your page should reflect some level of interest in the world you want to be part of.
Same way you can tell a painter paints — you should be able to tell you love social from what/how you post or share or talk about.

Your self-expression should lead your work — not the other way around.

I’ll also say this: if your application has no energy, no excitement, no clear sense of taste — you’re not making it easy for someone to say yes.
This is an industry built on storytelling, emotion and clarity. If you don’t love this space, or if you’re only here for vibes, it’ll show. And the people hiring you can usually tell. I’m not saying you need to know it all but there should be evidence that you care.

Details. Matter!

Wish I could write this one on your heart. This is the point I cringe the most.
You send a CV that hasn’t been touched in years. A generic application. Links not working. I can’t read a single thing cause your portfolio isn’t well-organised. Too many grammar and punctuations errors for me to count. You’re basically telling me that you don’t pay attention to detail. That you don’t care enough to polish your work. In marketing — it’s our job to notice these things. So give me something that shows you thought about it before you pressed send.

Show me that you get design (no more plain Google Docs, pleaseeee!) That you understand how to communicate visually and clearly. That you’ve thought about what would make your application stand out. Ask yourself: would I be proud to open this? If someone else sent this to me, would I be intrigued? Remember this is your first impression. Make it count.

Not Every Role Is Yours — And That’s Okay

Some jobs will say yes. Some will say no. Some will keep you for a season, and some will become like family. But whatever you land? Milk it. Learn deeply. Show up with curiosity. Find someone to learn from. Take feedback with grace. Stay teachable. It's not about ‘oh now I’ve arrived’ If you only knew what was waiting for you on the other side? You’ve prayed for the job and I’ll hold your hand and tell you this, it requires work to keep it. You don't know everything. You can’t know everything and that's okay.

Merit/Hardwork Is Not Everything.

Grace is what opens the door and keeps you on the other side.
It would be very silly of me to just say work hard and you’ll get every opportunity. That’s not the only part of the equation. A large part of this journey for me personally has been God, God and God again. So yes, do your part, do the work, be excellent, but know that it is by grace alone you can receive any good thing or be anything at all, so lean on Him and trust Him to guide you and help you.

My desire is that more applications come through that feel intentional — the kind that make my chest rise a little with hope again. It’s more than just applications, it’s being committed and being excellent at how you want to show up in the world. So please show up well.

Honestly I’m still learning. Still second-guessing sometimes. And maybe I’ll write more soon about what leadership, management and my battle with my arch-nemesis, imposter syndrome are teaching me — but this needed to come first.

For your consumption:

Stop Waiting to do the Work You Desire

I don’t care about your resume

The design of getting hired