Your LinkedIn Profile Is Working Even When You're Not: Why Every Marketing Professional Should Review Theirs Today

A strong LinkedIn profile isn't just for job seekers. It's your professional reputation, leadership brand and career story — all in one place.

A conversation I seem to have almost every week is with marketing professionals who tell me they're not actively looking for a new role, so they haven't really thought about their LinkedIn profile for years.

My response is always the same.

Your LinkedIn profile isn't a job search tool.

It's your professional shopfront.

Whether you're a Marketing Coordinator building your career, a Head of Marketing leading a team, or a CMO influencing business strategy, people are forming opinions about you long before they ever speak to you. Potential employers, future colleagues, industry peers, recruiters, clients, mentors and even podcast hosts are all likely to look you up online.

And more often than not, LinkedIn is the first place they go.

After spending more than 20 years recruiting marketing and sales professionals, I've reviewed thousands of LinkedIn profiles. One thing consistently surprises me:

Many of the most accomplished marketers are doing themselves a disservice online.

Their experience is impressive. Their results are strong. Their leadership credentials are undeniable.

Yet none of that comes through in their profile.

Instead, they're underselling the very thing they've spent years building: their professional reputation.

Your LinkedIn Profile Should Tell People More Than What You Do

A common misconception is that LinkedIn is simply an online CV.

It isn't.

A CV tells people where you've worked.

A strong LinkedIn profile tells people who you are, what you stand for, how you lead and the impact you create.

When someone lands on your profile, they should quickly understand:

What you're known for
What expertise do you bring
How you think
How you lead
What commercial outcomes have you delivered
What makes you different from other marketers with similar job titles

In many cases, your profile is creating an impression before you've even realised someone is looking.

That's why it deserves more attention than most people give it.

Five Things Every Marketing Professional Should Review Today

If you haven't updated your profile recently, these are the first areas I'd look at.

1. Is Your Headline Telling People What You're Known For?

Your headline is some of the most valuable real estate on LinkedIn.

Yet many professionals use it simply to list their current job title.

There's nothing wrong with including your title, but it shouldn't stop there.

The best headlines communicate expertise, specialisation and value.

Instead of:

Marketing Director

Consider:

Marketing Director | Building customer-led growth strategies for consumer brands

Or:

B2B Marketing Leader | Scaling revenue through brand, demand generation and customer experience

People remember expertise. They don't remember job titles.

2. Does Your About Section Tell A Compelling Career Story?

This is one of the most underutilised sections on LinkedIn.

Many profiles either leave it blank or fill it with a generic summary of responsibilities.

Your About section is where people get a sense of the person behind the career history.

It should explain:

What drives you professionally
How your career has evolved
What you're passionate about
The impact you've made
What kind of leader or marketer you've become

This is often where personality, values and purpose start to come through.

And increasingly, those are the things organisations hire for.

3. Have You Clearly Articulated Your Commercial Impact?

One of the biggest mistakes I see marketers make is focusing heavily on activities and not enough on outcomes.

Businesses invest in marketing because they want results.

That doesn't mean every role needs a list of percentages and revenue figures, but your profile should clearly demonstrate impact.

Ask yourself:

What problems have I solved?
What growth have I contributed to?
What strategic initiatives have I led?
What business outcomes did my work influence?

The strongest profiles move beyond responsibilities and tell a story of achievement.

4. Would Someone Understand Your Leadership Style?

This becomes increasingly important as you move into senior leadership roles.

When organisations hire marketing leaders, they aren't just assessing technical capability.

They're assessing how you'll lead people.

Can you build high-performing teams?
Do you develop talent?
How do you approach collaboration?
What values guide your decision-making?

Leadership style is often what separates two candidates with very similar experience.

If someone read your profile today, would they get a sense of how you show up as a leader?

If not, that's worth addressing.

5. Are You Sharing Insights That Reinforce Your Expertise?

Your profile isn't just what you've written about yourself.

It's also what you contribute to the broader industry conversation.

Sharing insights doesn't mean posting every day.

It doesn't mean becoming a content creator.

It simply means participating in conversations that reflect your expertise and perspective.

Comment on industry trends.
Share lessons from your career.
Offer observations from projects you've led.
Celebrate your team.
Discuss challenges you've solved.

These small contributions help build credibility over time and give people a much clearer understanding of what you stand for professionally.

Why This Matters Even If You're Not Looking For A Job

Some of the best career opportunities don't begin with an application.

They begin with a conversation.

A referral.

A recommendation.

A message from someone who came across your profile.

Throughout my career in recruitment, I've seen opportunities emerge when people least expected them.

Board positions.
Leadership appointments.
Consulting opportunities.
Podcast invitations.
Speaking engagements.
Partnerships.
New roles.

The common thread is visibility.

People can't connect dots they can't see.

Your LinkedIn profile helps make those connections possible.

Your Professional Brand Exists Whether You Shape It Or Not

One thing I often remind marketers is this:

We spend our careers helping brands articulate their value, positioning and point of difference.

Yet many of us neglect to do the same for ourselves.

Your professional reputation already exists.

The question is whether your LinkedIn profile accurately reflects it.

At New Chapter Talent, we spend a lot of time talking with marketing and sales professionals about career growth, leadership and what's next. Through our work with clients across Australia and New Zealand, as well as initiatives like the CMO Chapters Podcast, CMO Collective Lunch Club, Marketing Leadership Awards and Marketing Mentorship Program, we see firsthand how important professional visibility has become.

The people creating the most opportunities for themselves aren't necessarily the loudest voices in the room.

They're often the people who have taken the time to clearly communicate who they are, what they stand for and the impact they create.

That's exactly what a great LinkedIn profile should do.

A Final Thought

If it's been a while since you've reviewed your LinkedIn profile, set aside 20 minutes this week.

Read it as if you're seeing it for the first time.

Would someone immediately understand your expertise, leadership style and career impact?

If the answer is no, there's probably an opportunity to tell your story a little better.

And trust me, it's worth the effort.

Thinking about your next career move, building your leadership team, or simply wanting an honest perspective on your professional brand? I'd love to have a conversation. Connect with me or reach out to the team at New Chapter Talent — we're always happy to help marketing and sales professionals navigate what's next.

Contact Lucy

✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au

📞 +61 416 153 144

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭
𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫

Or connect with me ~ Lucy on LinkedIn ~ as I'll share all the insights on recruitment you could ask for! For more updates, career tips, and job opportunities, follow New Chapter Talent on LinkedIn.

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How to Talk About Failure in an Interview (And Why It Could Be the Answer That Gets You Hired)

By Lucy Bolan • June 23, 2026

The Short Answer Most senior candidates can confidently talk about their successes. Growing revenue. Building brands. Leading teams. Delivering commercial results. But one of the questions that consistently catches people off guard is this: "Can you tell me about a time you failed?" The truth is, hiring managers aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for resilience, accountability and the ability to learn when things don't go to plan. Why Talking About Failure Matters in Executive Interviews Recently, I was supporting a Chief Marketing Officer through a series of final-stage interviews. They had all the credentials. Commercial growth. High-performing teams. Complex stakeholder management. Transformational leadership experience. Yet after making it down to the final two candidates several times, they kept missing out. The challenge wasn't talking about success. It was talking about failure. For many senior professionals, that's completely understandable. Years are spent building a track record of achievement, so it can feel counterintuitive to highlight setbacks. But experienced hiring managers know that careers are rarely linear. The campaigns that didn't land. The strategy that missed the mark. The hire that wasn't the right fit. The project that faced unexpected obstacles. These moments often reveal far more about a leader than a list of accomplishments ever could. What Hiring Managers Really Want to Know When interviewers ask about failure, they are usually assessing four key qualities: 1. Self-Awareness Can you objectively recognise when something didn't work? Strong leaders understand their role in both successes and setbacks. 2. Accountability Do you take ownership, or do you place blame elsewhere? The best candidates accept responsibility while demonstrating professionalism. 3. Problem Solving How did you respond once you realised there was an issue? Hiring managers want evidence of decisive action and commercial thinking. 4. Resilience Can you recover, adapt and move forward? The ability to navigate challenges is a critical leadership skill. How to Structure Your Answer A simple framework can help you deliver a clear and memorable response. Situation Briefly explain the context. Challenge What went wrong, and why was it significant? Action What did you do to address the problem? Learning What did you take away from the experience, and how has it influenced your leadership since? The focus should never be on the failure itself. It's about demonstrating growth. Examples of Professional Setbacks You Could Discuss Not every failure needs to be dramatic. Some of the strongest interview answers come from everyday leadership challenges, such as: A marketing campaign that underperformed. A strategic initiative that didn't achieve expected outcomes. A difficult stakeholder relationship. Hiring someone who ultimately wasn't the right fit. Managing organisational change that faced resistance. Missing a commercial target and adapting the approach. Authenticity matters more than trying to find the "perfect" example. Prepare Before Your Next Interview If you have an interview coming up, spend a few minutes reflecting on your career. Take out a pen and paper and write down three examples of setbacks or failures that have shaped your professional development. For each one, ask yourself: How did I recognise the issue? What action did I take? What did I learn? How did I improve because of it? These are the stories that often create the strongest connection with hiring managers. Failure Doesn't Define Your Career A successful career isn't built by avoiding failure. It's built by learning from it. The most effective leaders are rarely those who have never experienced setbacks. They are the ones who can reflect, adapt and lead with greater insight because of them. When an interviewer asks about failure, they aren't trying to catch you out. They're trying to understand how you'll perform when it matters most. And often, that's exactly what sets exceptional candidates apart. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best way to answer an interview question about failure? Use a structured approach that explains the situation, your actions, what you learned and how you applied those lessons moving forward. Should I admit to a real failure in an interview? Yes. Authenticity is important. Choose an example that demonstrates accountability, resilience and professional growth. What do hiring managers look for when discussing failure? Most employers want to see self-awareness, problem-solving ability, resilience and the capacity to learn from setbacks. Can talking about failure help you get hired? Absolutely. A thoughtful answer can showcase leadership qualities that achievements alone may not reveal.

Stack of resumes on a purple background, with the top page titled “Resume” and “Career Summary.”

Stop Judging Marketing CVs by Pre-2020 Standards

By Lucy Bolan • June 14, 2026

The last few years have reshaped the careers of many senior marketers. Fractional roles, consulting projects and fixed-term contracts have become a normal part of the market, not a red flag. Some of the strongest talent I meet today has built an incredibly broad skill set by helping businesses through change, growth and uncertainty.

Guests chatting at a warmly lit cocktail party, with one woman holding a drink and smiling at the camera.

Why I Still Believe Networking Is One of the Best Career Investments a Marketer Can Make

By Lucy Bolan • June 8, 2026

There are plenty of things you can control in your career, and plenty you can't. You can't control restructures. You can't control budget cuts. You can't control when a business decides to change direction. What you can control is your network. After more than 20 years working in marketing and sales recruitment, I've lost count of the number of conversations that have started with, "I wasn't actively looking, but someone I met a few months ago suggested I give you a call." The best opportunities rarely arrive completely out of the blue. More often, they're built through relationships that have been quietly growing over time. That's why I'm always encouraging marketers to get out from behind the screen and into the room. Not because networking is about collecting business cards or awkward small talk. It's because the best careers are often shaped by conversations you weren't expecting to have. The strongest marketing careers are built in communities, not isolation One thing I've noticed over the years is that the marketers who stay resilient through changing markets aren't necessarily the loudest or the most connected on LinkedIn. They're the people who stay curious. They keep learning. They ask questions. They make time to hear how other businesses are tackling similar challenges. They build genuine relationships with people across different industries and stages of their careers. As a recruiter, that matters. When I'm working with clients, I'm not just matching skills to a job description. I'm thinking about people who are engaged with the industry, invested in their own growth and genuinely interested in what's happening around them. At New Chapter Talent, we've built our business around that philosophy. Yes, we recruit marketing and sales professionals across Australia and New Zealand, but the work has never been just about filling roles. It's about understanding people, teams and cultures. It's about long-term careers and long-term partnerships. I've always believed the industry is stronger when we create spaces for people to learn from one another. The market is changing, and conversations matter more than ever The marketing landscape doesn't stand still. AI is changing workflows. Data expectations continue to grow. Leadership roles are evolving. Commercial acumen is becoming just as important as creative thinking. It can feel overwhelming if you're trying to navigate all of that on your own. One of the easiest ways to stay ahead is to spend time with people who are having these conversations every day. You don't need to attend every conference or every breakfast event. You don't need to know everyone in the room. You just need to show up. Ask a question. Introduce yourself to someone you've been following online. Catch up with an old colleague. You never know where those conversations might lead. A few events I'd have in my diary this month If you're looking to build your network or sharpen your thinking, some fantastic events are happening around the country this month. Melbourne IAB Australia Affiliate & Partnership Marketing Summit Thu 11 June | 4pm–6pm | PwC Melbourne, Southbank Industry insights, partnership trends and plenty of opportunities to connect with peers. IAB Australia AdTech & Ops Summit Wed 17 June | 12:30pm–6pm | PwC Melbourne, Southbank A great event for marketers working across digital, product, commercial and technical functions. New Chapter Marketing Collective Club Lunch Thursday - 18th June - 12-2pm I'm looking forward to sitting down with Emma Graham for a live conversation about what it really takes to stay clear, confident and adaptable in a shifting market. We'll be talking honestly about future-proofing your marketing career and what's changing across the industry. Victorian Women's Lunch 2026 Friday, 12th June 2026 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm AEST | ZINC at Federation Square An opportunity to hear from impressive leaders and join broader conversations about leadership and business. Salesforce Agentforce World Tour Melbourne Wednesday, 17 June, 2026 | MCEC Melbourne Ideal for marketers wanting to understand where technology, customer experience and AI are heading. Tasmania Tomorrow Conference 2026 15-16 June 2026 | Launceston One of Tasmania's standout marketing events, bringing together professionals from B2B, B2C and not-for-profit sectors who are pushing their industries forward. Sydney IAB Australia AdTech & Ops Summit Dates throughout June/July | Sydney The Sydney edition is also on the calendar, so it's worth keeping an eye on upcoming dates if you're based interstate. Online Digital Analytics for Marketers May 12, 8:00 am - June 16, 5:00 pm If you've been wanting to strengthen your understanding of metrics, attribution and analytics, this is a practical way to build those skills. You don't have to be job hunting to build your network One of the biggest misconceptions I come across is that people only need a recruiter when they're looking for a new role. I don't see it that way. Some of the best relationships I've built with candidates have started years before they made a move. We stay in touch, talk about what's happening in the market and sometimes simply exchange ideas. The same goes for clients. The strongest partnerships come from understanding a business over time, not from a rushed conversation when a vacancy lands on my desk. A career is a long game. The people you meet today might become future colleagues, mentors, clients, hiring managers or trusted advisers. That's why I'd always encourage you to make room for these conversations, even when life gets busy. Final thoughts If you're a marketer looking to broaden your network this month, fill your boots. Go to the event. Reach out to someone you've been meaning to catch up with. Start the conversation. You don't need to leave with a new job or a new client to make it worthwhile. Sometimes one good conversation is enough to change the direction of your career. And if you'd like to chat about the marketing and sales market, your team, or your own next chapter, I'd love to hear from you. That's always been my favourite part of this job.

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