Are you considering working for a creative agency? This might sound like it’s a dream job but keeping a job or building a career in advertising agencies can be incredibly difficult. Ad agencies typically are very high paced, stressful and competitive jobs. If you can land one and keep it, then having a career at a creative agency is so rewarding. However, the key is actually getting it. There are so many different things that the employers are usually looking for and with so many people applying and being interviewed, you need to be able to stand out. Here are a few tips for getting in good at a creative agency.
Get Your Portfolio Together
You really should already have a portfolio of your work if you are applying to an ad agency but in any case, get one together. If you do already have one, as you should, be picky about the work that you decide to include in it. Only show your best work. If this means that your book is smaller, then so bit. Remember, it’s quality over quantity.
Work Your Contacts
Sometimes it’s more about who you know than what you know when it comes down to the wire. Look at your social media networks and check your alumni base to find out if anyone you know is working at the company that you are applying to. It might be a good idea to meet up for coffee so that you can get to know a little more about the company and establish a good reputation before going in for the interview.
Know the Company
This also includes knowing the person that conducts the interviews. Do some research on the people that you are going to be meeting. You should know all the basic information about the agency. Never ask a question that you could have answered on the company’s general website. Most employers look for candidates who are willing to search further than the company’s website to get information and prepare for the interview.
Feel the Room
The advertising industry is a little more laid back so let that play into your attire a little, but not too much. When you are in the interview, make sure that you are being sensitive to the general atmosphere of the room and make your statements and jokes, etc appropriate for the audience.
Prepare Questions
When asked if you have any questions, you need to make sure that you do. Having questions during an interview for a creative agency is so important. If you don’t have any questions at all, you will either be seen as arrogant because it’s almost as if you think you know it all, already. Or, you’ll be seen as disinterested in the position. If you have nothing else, ask how you can be successful or what it’s going to take to move up quickly in the company. Ask about opportunities for growth and expansion and what some of their greatest obstacles have been to overcome. Yes or no questions are not recommended.
Follow Up
Sending a thank you note, whether hand written or emailed is much appreciated by potential employers. The main point here is to not wait more than 24 hours to send the note. The more personal the better, you want to stand out from the crowd. Pick out a moment from your interview to mention in your thank you note to remind them who you are. See the note as another opportunity to show them that you are indeed creative and original.
Spell check and check again
There’s nothing worse than having a great interview with a potential hire, only to get their thank you note that is full of spelling errors. This can really dampen the desire to hire someone. Spelling errors mean that they are either not as highly educated as the interviewer initially thought or that they are careless and neither of those things work well at an advertising agency.
Overall, you need to be prepared. Prepared to be asked anything, prepared to questioned, prepared in how you look, act and portray yourself. You need to be organized, put together and focused. Employers are looking for motivated people to work for them.