It’s likely that we all know someone who can’t update their Facebook, Twitter or join in a pub conversation without mentioning the celeb they brushed shoulders with last week, which designer shoes they’re wearing or the high-end brand of car/holiday they just bought. If you are currently looking for marketing jobs, you might even be guilty of this habit yourself. If so, you’ll be pleased to know that, sometimes, it’s OK to name drop.

Firstly, name-dropping is not only OK on your CV, it’s pretty much essential. So you worked for an agency – don’t be afraid to bring that aspect of your CV to life with the names of the actual influencers, celebs and big brand bosses you worked directly (and indirectly) with during that part of your career.

Recruitmenters specialising in marketing read hundreds of similar CVs. It might sound obvious, but if you ran an advertising campaign with someone famous, mention that person. If you worked directly with the CEO of a start-up now worth millions of pounds, consider dropping his or her name prominently into your CV and/or your covering letter. Make yourself stand out!

As well as helping your CV go to the top of the pile, you’ll stand out when listing (or ‘name dropping’) the most prominent people you’ve worked with in your previous marketing jobs, and you’ll have something fantastic to talk about at interview stage. If you worked on a design for a rockstar or helped launch a blockbuster film, remind yourself what you personally did that was significant and think about what you learned from it.

Name-dropping can also set the scene and add gravitas to your presentation, if you’re giving a talk. The speaking circuit is a great opportunity to network and introduce yourself, so even if you aren’t on the platform, don’t be afraid to drop a few key client names in when you meet other delegates. Just remember not to do this next time you’re meeting up with your mates in the pub!