What Value Do I Bring? A Lesson from Havas Café

Visit Chanel

One of the most memorable moments I had at Cannes Lions was during a casual coffee chat at the Havas Café. After the session, I stayed behind and had a meaningful one-on-one conversation with the speaker. I opened up about my anxieties regarding the international job market—how I often felt like I didn’t quite belong, or that I lacked the competitiveness to stand out.

To my surprise, she offered a completely different perspective. She told me that as a Gen Z candidate, I actually represent something highly valuable: a mindset and cultural voice that companies are actively seeking to engage with. That shifted something in me. It made me realize the importance of flipping the narrative—instead of obsessing over what I lack, why not ask: what unique value do I bring?

This experience reminded me that recruiters aren’t just looking for qualifications—they're searching for potential, relevance, and resonance with future audiences. Sometimes, we just need someone outside our own bubble to help us see that.

Cannes Lion