Zoë Dunlop - Graduate Case Study

Zoë Dunlop graduated in 2025 with a degree in Marketing and has secured a graduate role with AccountsIQ in London.  During her time at LJMU, Zoë completed an industrial placement with Mando Group, worked part-time for the Student Futures team during her final year as a Marketing and Content Officer and also completed a Discovery Internship with In-House Legal Solutions.

What will your graduate job involve?

In my new role, I’ll be managing social media channels and coordinating the publishing of content across both social media and the website. I’ll support the creation and delivery of marketing campaigns, assist with event planning and project management tasks, and help produce reports, meeting notes, and actions. I’ll also contribute to organising industry events, work with external providers, and help maintain our CRM systems.

I’m excited for the wide variety of responsibilities that come with the role, where I’ll be able to use my existing skills as well as build new ones.

What was it like finding a graduate level role, and how did you balance your studies with applying for jobs in your final year?

Finding a graduate role was tough, it took a lot of time, energy and persistence. I applied for plenty of roles that resulted in rejection or just complete ghosting. It sometimes felt like job applications were another part-time job, but finding time in the evenings and weekends to apply for one or two a day meant that it was less daunting. I also used an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of applications, which helped me to appreciate how far I had come and how much effort I had put in, encouraging me to keep persevering.

What are you looking forward to about moving to London and starting your job?

I have absolutely loved the past four years of living and working in Liverpool, but now I’m ready to try something different. I’m so excited to meet new people in London, both professionally and personally, and explore a new city.

Regarding my new role, I’m excited to bring my skills, knowledge and ambition to AccountsIQ to make a difference and be a meaningful member of the team. I’m also excited for the progression and networking opportunities.

What did the application or selection process involve, and how did you prepare for each stage?

The application process involved an online application followed by three interviews. For the online application, I tailored my personal statement to clearly highlight how my existing skills and experience matched the role.

For the first interview, a screening call, I researched the company’s goals, recent news, and had a clear one to two-minute elevator pitch ready to confidently summarise my experience. I also prepared thoughtful questions about the interview process and candidate goals.

The next two interviews were more skills-focused, so I spent time aligning my experience and career goals with the role’s requirements. A really helpful tool was using ChatGPT to generate potential interview questions based on the job description which helped me to prepare accordingly. I was surprised at how many questions ChatGPT predicted correctly!

Did you access any support from the Student Futures team during your time at LJMU?

The Student Futures team have been incredibly supportive throughout my final year of university - my only regret is not using their services sooner! I was able to get an idea of what jobs to apply for, how to tailor my CV, and also learn how to stand out in my interview.

I’ve been lucky enough to not only get support from the Student Futures team but also work alongside them in my role as a Content and Marketing Officer, which I completed alongside my final year of study. They offer advice and services that are tailored to each individual, and getting in touch with them is a great move for students who want to prepare for their career.

What relevant work experience, skills, volunteering or Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?

Over the past four years, I’ve taken every opportunity that has come my way. From attending events, to presenting (in person and on camera!), to working in different roles, I’ve been able to create a strong, varied portfolio that I was able to use during application processes.

My first professional role started through my industrial placement year at Mando Group, where I worked as a Content Analyst and Experience Executive. I developed skills in UX, Business Analysis, and Front-End Development. This role gave me real-world experience in content creation and confidence in managing multiple tasks, which I drew on during interviews to demonstrate my ability to work in fast-paced, professional environments, as well as to create content and marketing campaigns tailored to specific audiences and users.

Once my placement year finished, I found a part-time role working with LJMU’s Student Futures team where I managed social media channels and created engaging content to promote student services. This experience helped me strengthen my communication and digital marketing skills. I referred to this often in interviews to show my creativity, ability to connect with audiences, and experience working collaboratively.

My final year Liverpool Business Clinic experience was also a strong experience, where we worked on a campaign for St Johns Shopping Centre. I helped develop a strategy to re-engage older audiences through storytelling and social media. This showed my ability to apply marketing theory to real-world challenges and collaborate effectively in a team setting.

When I finished my studies at LJMU, I started a Discovery Internship through Unitemps at In-House Legal Solutions, where I gained insight into professional marketing environments by supporting the team as a Marketing Intern. I assisted with CRM updates, content coordination, and campaign planning. This experience helped reinforce my confidence in using marketing tools and adapting quickly in a corporate setting, something I highlighted during interviews.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Take every opportunity that comes your way, even if it may seem intimidating. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and experiencing some imposter syndrome is how people grow and learn.

I would also keep an eye on the jobs at Unitemps. The part-time paid internships that are offered here are an amazing opportunity for students to get their foot in the door, and most of them don’t require a specific degree of study.

Finally, getting in touch with the Student Futures team will allow you to speak with a professional about how to improve your employability. Whether it’s CV checking, Interview prep or a career 1-2-1, it will give you skills, knowledge and confidence.

Would you do anything differently in terms of your employability if you were a first-year student again?

Two things I wish I had done in my first or second year are booking a 1-2-1 career meeting with Student Futures and applying for a Discovery Internship.

Looking back, a career meeting early on would’ve helped me gain more clarity around my strengths, interests, and potential career paths. It would have given me tailored advice, helped shape my goals sooner, and made my final-year job search feel less overwhelming.

Applying for a Discovery Internship would have given me hands-on experience earlier on and helped me build confidence in a professional setting. I now realise how valuable these opportunities are for developing skills and standing out in future applications.

How has studying your specific degree subject at LJMU helped you to develop the skills, knowledge or experiences that will help you in your future career?

Studying Marketing at LJMU has helped me build a strong foundation in both the theory and practical application of key marketing principles. From learning about consumer behaviour and branding to exploring data analytics and digital strategy, the course has developed my ability to think critically, creatively, and strategically.

Group projects and real-world briefs, like the St Johns Shopping Centre business clinic campaign, gave me hands-on experience working with clients, managing deadlines, and presenting ideas. These opportunities have built my confidence, teamwork skills, and ability to apply marketing knowledge in a professional context, all of which will be invaluable in my future career.

Finally, as you leave LJMU to start the next chapter of your life, what are your reflections of your time at LJMU and in Liverpool?

I'm incredibly grateful to LJMU for the past four years. The support from lecturers, the range of opportunities available, and the friendships I’ve built have all played a huge part in shaping an incredibly memorable experience.

Working behind the scenes with the Student Futures team has also given me a deeper understanding of the hard work and commitment that goes into supporting students. The genuine care and collaborative spirit across the university community is something I’ve really valued.

Liverpool itself has felt like home from the start. The warmth and openness of the people here made settling in easy, and it’s a city I hope to return to one day!

Support from the Student Futures team

If you want to talk about potential careers options with your degree, need help finding opportunities or want support with your CV, application forms or preparing for an interview, you can get advice and guidance by booking a 30-minute 1-2-1 careers meeting with a Careers and Employability Adviser from the LJMU Student Futures Team.  You can also come along to a Careers drop-in or CV Café which take place weekly at the Careers Zones for quick careers queries.

If you are thinking about starting a business, freelancing, pursuing a side-hustle or have an idea that you want to explore further, email the Start-up Hub and a member of the team will be back in touch, or visit the Start-up Hub website.

For help finding part-time, temporary or casual you can fit around your studies, email the Unitemps team or visit their website.