Job Search Advice and Personal Branding with Nia Patel of King’s Trust International
Many professionals find themselves navigating unexpected career paths - and I don’t think I will ever get tired of discovering new formulas for career success. Here’s the career story of Nia Patel, a LinkedIn creator and Digital Marketing Manager at King’s Trust International. A mathematician at origin, Nia discovered personal branding. Her love for content creation took her on a career route she hadn’t initially planned.
Nia was one of the founding members and participants of the Job Search Marathon and her insights helped shape this group coaching programme for marketing professionals looking for their next opportunity.
A lot of the conversation was focused on job searching tips and Nia and my hope is that these ideas and recommendations will make things easier for you, if and when you look for a new role.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Unexpected twists in career paths
Graduating with a degree in mathematics in 2022, Nia initially didn’t see marketing as her destination. However, her journey took a transformative turn during her university years when she discovered the power of personal branding on LinkedIn.
The change of heart started with a placement year during the pandemic, a competitive opportunity that many of her peers struggled to achieve. This experience allowed her to gain insights into the corporate world, although it left her questioning her long-term career path.
The Right Place at the Right Time
In May 2022, Nia attended a networking event where she met a professional from an agency that was hiring. This encounter led to her first job as a personal brand manager. Nia stresses the importance of networking and being present in the right spaces. "You never know where a conversation can lead," she says, highlighting how crucial it is to engage with professionals in your desired area of work.
Embracing Personal Branding
Nia began sharing content on LinkedIn during her final year, realising that personal branding could enhance her career prospects. She emphasises that while personal branding doesn’t guarantee job offers, it can accelerate the job search process.
Tips for Job Seekers in Marketing
For those navigating their own job search journeys, Nia has some top tips:
Enhance Your Online Presence: Ensure your LinkedIn profile is polished with a professional headshot, a clear headline, and an engaging summary that reflects your personality.
Engage with Content: Don’t be afraid to comment on posts by recruiters or professionals in your desired field. This visibility can help you stand out.
Follow Up After Interviews: Nia emphasises the importance of post-interview etiquette. Sending a follow-up message within a few hours can leave a lasting impression.
Network Strategically: Attend events both online and offline. The connections you make can provide invaluable resources and opportunities.
The Job Search Marathon
As a founding participant of the Job Search Marathon, Nia joined a small group of marketing professionals in search of their next role. The dynamics between them all genuinely brought me joy - the encouragement and input into each other’s journey was the cherry on top that made the whole experience extremely valuable. Nia explains why she joined and how it all helped her in this episode but here’s a snippet below.
“Sometimes you need an external perspective and you need the perspective of someone who’s been in the industry for quite some time. They understand what you’re looking for in your next role.
You essentially need a mentor. And that’s what the Job Search Marathon provided me. It provided me with a mentor that I could bounce ideas off of, but I could also share worries with.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Nia Patel and her background
01:10 Nia's journey from maths degree to social media marketing
03:02 Impact of COVID-19 on her placement year and career choices
05:47 How Nia started her personal branding journey
07:09 The role of content in job search and career growth
10:01 Networking and in-person opportunities for job seekers
15:54 Documenting achievements and building a portfolio
22:02 Handling interview follow-ups and etiquette
27:03 Common mistakes in personal branding and job search
35:57 The importance of thoughtful content and audience awareness
44:00 Using AI for company research and tailoring applications
47:26 Nia’s feedback on the Job Search Marathon
51:20 How to connect with Nia
ABOUT NIA PATEL
Nia is the Digital Marketing Manager at The King’s Trust International (formerly Prince’s Trust International) which, for the last 5 decades, has been tackling the global crisis in youth unemployment.
Nia was also
- Awarded Best Breakthrough Marketer in 2024 by Passionfruit
- Named one of Alt Marketing School’s Top 100 Marketers to Watch in 2024
- Featured by Girls in Marketing as a Top Marketer to Follow and course contributor
