Impact story: How a CV review sparked a mindset shift for Sandra Tabansi
At Smarketers Hub, we believe that growth sometimes happens through collaboration, like getting the right feedback at the right time or seeing your work through someone else’s eyes. That’s what our impact stories aim to spotlight: the meaningful ways our community programs help shape and advance the careers of the marketers we serve.
For this first edition of our member impact story, we spoke with Sandra Tabansi, a freelance content marketer and mentor, who received a free CV review through our partnership with Talentpoel. She shares how this opportunity helped her rethink the way she talks about her achievements, how she’s become more intentional about tracking her impact and the results of her work, and what it really means to show up for yourself and others as a marketer.
Hey Sandra, tell us a bit about who you are as a person and a marketer
I’m a freelance content marketer, and I create strategies and content that help businesses grow. I’ve worked with startups and small businesses, creating blogs, case studies, and more.
I also really like teaching what I’ve learned in any way that I can. That shows up in the mentorship work I do for TEMSI, the Tech Marketers’ Initiative. I also volunteer as a content lead for the No-Code Tech Summit.
Outside of work, I’m a very outdoorsy person. If I’m not in the gym, I’m hiking somewhere, shooting arrows, or dancing salsa. I like to explore. It makes my brain come alive. And when I feed that part of me and come back to work, I feel recharged and excited to jump into whatever project I’m working on.
How did you hear about the Talentpoel CV review opportunity?
It was either through the Smarketers Hub Slack community or the email newsletter, I can’t remember exactly. But I remember seeing it and thinking, Wow, I really need this.
I hadn’t worked on my CV in a while, and I’d done quite a bit of freelance work since then. I wanted someone professional to look at it and help me craft it in a way that truly communicates my value.
How has the Talentpoel CV review session shaped your career growth?
It felt like a masterclass. The coach I worked with really helped me pull out all the results I had achieved across every project and company I’d worked with. That session made me deeply aware of what I’ve done and the kind of impact I’ve had.
It gave me a mindset shift. Now, I communicate my work in a more results-oriented way. Whether I’m updating my CV or talking about a project, I think: What was the goal? What did I do? What was the result?
Even when I’m working on something new, I track outcomes now. I want to be able to say, “This is what I achieved with this.” That mindset shift was a big deal for me.
“Now, I communicate my work in a more results-oriented way.’
Sandra, what does being a Smarketer mean to you?
Being a Smarketer means showing up. It means not waiting for opportunities but putting myself out there, collaborating, and choosing growth every time.
Sometimes that looks like sharing lessons on LinkedIn. Sometimes it’s helping someone else figure something out. So I’d say it’s about showing up, collaborating, and growth. That’s what being a Smarketer means to me.
What drew you to become a member of Marketer Room?
I’d been following Aisha for a while, and I’d been following Smarketers Hub since it was just a Medium publication. So it was on my radar early on.
The moment the community was announced, I didn’t even think twice — I joined immediately.
What has kept me here is the consistent value. Even before there was a Slack group, The Hub was always sharing helpful resources. Anything that could help you grow your marketing career was there, and I really appreciated that.
What’s one experience you’ve had in the Marketers Room that you won’t forget?
Definitely my Instagram stories takeover on the Smarketers Hub page.
The amount of love I got from the Slack group afterwards blew me away. People were commenting, saying it was great, that they enjoyed it, and thanking me. It honestly made me feel warm. Like, “Wow, people are actually paying attention.” It was funny but also really encouraging.
What's your favourite thing to do in the Marketers' Room?
I love the questions and conversations. The back-and-forth. People asking real, work-related questions and getting genuine, thoughtful answers. I live for it.
It reminds me of what I used to love in SuperPath, but here, it feels even more relatable because it's local.
Why is building a successful marketing career important to you?
Honestly, I’m doing this for my inner child. She needs this win. She needs to know that showing up and staying consistent leads to great outcomes.
I’ve studied the journeys of a lot of successful marketers, even CMOs, and I’ve learned that the path isn’t simple or straightforward. So when I face setbacks, I remember those stories. They remind me that pushing through is part of the process.
Also, it’s not just about me. There are people who are watching. And I think of someone like Aisha. Imagine if she had decided not to keep pushing; a lot of us wouldn’t have the inspiration we’ve drawn from her journey.
So yeah, building a strong career is for me, for my inner child, and also for anyone out there who needs a story they can relate to; someone’s story that proves growth is possible.
💡 Read— Member story: Uchechukwu Arinze knows she doesn’t have to do it alone
What advice do you have for other African marketers trying to grow their careers through community?
Marketing is not the hardest thing in the world, but it is something that deals with people, their behaviour, emotions, how they think, and how they change. And because of how fast things shift, trying to navigate that alone is overwhelming.
You won’t have all the information. You’ll burn out. And you’ll feel alone, especially when expectations are high, and you start wondering, “Am I not doing enough?”
Community fills that gap. It reminds you that you’re not alone, that others are facing similar challenges, and that help is available, whether that’s resources, answers, or just someone saying, “We see you.”
I tried doing it alone when I first started, fresh out of NYSC, and it was the worst. Once I discovered community, I joined everyone I could find. I don’t recommend joining all at once (because that’s unrealistic), but definitely find the right marketing community and be consistent.
And if you’re looking for one, Smarketers Hub is it. It’s inclusive, helpful, and full of everything you need to grow, especially career-wise. You’ll find what you need here.
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X(formerly Twitter). And join Marketers Room to engage with more like-minded professionals and build a thriving career.
