Each month, Pereira O’Dell Chief Growth Officer Mona Munayyer Gonzalez answers your career questions. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to level up, she’s here with practical advice.
This month, she dives into building your personal brand, getting into new business pitches, standing out in the job hunt and stepping up as a leader. Watch her answers in the video above, or scroll down for a lightly edited transcript and resources to dive deeper.
Career advice from Pereira O’Dell Chief Growth Officer Mona Munayyer Gonzalez
If I want to start building my personal brand from scratch, where and how should I start? What should I focus on?
The first thing I’d do is grab Simon Sinek’s book to help articulate your “why.” All of his books are great for that. The next step is to work on your tone of voice. Start writing about the things you find interesting and build points of view around them.
I also like looking at people’s LinkedIn activity—what they’re liking, commenting on, and saying. Those small, organic interactions often reveal the most about someone’s personal brand.
How do you break into new business?
It’s not often that you will find an entry-level new business job because new business is sort of like advertising on steroids. It is the fastest, the most strategic, the most creative. Start in account management, project management or strategy—and ask to be included on new business pitches. Be willing to help in any way, no matter how small, just to get into the room. That’s how you learn the process and build a pathway into new business.
I’m a recent grad with a sociology major and a minor in media and society. I’m having trouble getting noticed in applications and starting to doubt my experience. How can I stand out and beat the pack?
I’ve never once looked specifically for an advertising or marketing major. In fact, your background in sociology and media is more applicable than you think. The real challenge right now is the chaos in the industry and fewer entry-level roles.
What will set you apart is fluency in AI tools. If you can confidently say you’re fluent in as many as possible, that’s a huge advantage. Be proud of what’s on your résumé—your perspective is valuable.
I’m a senior strategist having trouble finding my footing and leveling up as a leader in my role. What advice would you give?
No one is going to invite you to the table to be a leader—you have to decide that you already are one and start showing up that way.
The moment you see the value in your role, others will respond to it. If you start behaving like a leader in meetings tomorrow—literally tomorrow—people will see it and treat you accordingly.