Go, Get Yourself a Job in Advertising!
Or, advice from an ex-intern
hey. seniors. you, there, stressing out about graduating without having any career plans lined up. Fuck, you don’t even know what you want to do with your life!!? Calm girl - neither does anyone else. And if they say they do, then 99% of the time they’ve simply managed to convince themselves that they do, and they will likely have a breakdown by their ’30s, or if they’re really unlucky, their ’40s, when they’re well into their life and have a family, and by that point a motorcycle is just tacky.
But consolation, while nice, is not the point of this post. The point is to help you get a job in advertising, if that’s what you so desire. While I was working at the interactive agency Digitas this past summer, I set up an advertising industry interns’ networking event. There, I met a girl who recently contacted me asking for advice on applying to Digitas. I wrote back with specific information about my experience, then I wrote something more general that I realized could be useful to, well, you, lucky reader.
If you want a job in advertising, or really a job in any field, the most solid 24-karat piece of brainage I can bestow upon you is this: you probably know a lot of people. Just reach out to them. See who they can connect you with. Have a lot of coffee with different people. Ask tons of questions. Do your research - figure out where these people worked, who they might know, what they could give you information about — both in the realm of “who do they know” as well as “what do they know about trends in this field” and “what great banter do I get from this conversation.” It’s crucial to be knowledgeable about the field you’re interested in getting into. If you don’t know anything, it’s likely that you’re either a) lazy, or b) not really interested in that field at all, so, do your homework.
It’s also crucial to NOT BE LAME. So please don’t act all grubby and rude — you’re not using these people for their information… I hope. You’re asking them about their career path, and their interests. One thing they tell you in journalism school - and by journalism school, I mean, writing for a publication - is that people love to talk about themselves, if asked. It’s generally true. In some cases, people are obviously disgusted with themselves, but this is the truly rare exception. So ask, and you will feel a warm fuzzy glow of knowledge beaming into your skull.
In advertising, and probably in many other industries, it’s all about networking. A career is a ponzi scheme of confidence. If you can establish that you’re smart and saavy, they’ll want you. And if they don’t, you don’t care because you’re super confident, and you’ll learn from the experience to be even better next time.
Always think about how you can meet more people in the field you’re interested in. Take the initiative to find valuable “nodes” - concentrations of information and connections, whether that’s at a conference you sneak into, an event you volunteer at, or through that one person who can connect you to at least 10 interesting people. In Boston, there’s a great organization called the Ad Club, which is a great node for the industry. I got an internship through them, and also volunteered at several of their events — which you can do if you’re not an intern. If you’re bold about it, it’s a great way to meet big people in the industry! Not to mention cross paths with people, so they remember who you are, and remember that they want to hire young talented (and obviously motivated) people like you.
One last idea for you, for now: I know a girl at Mullen who got her job by contacting the Chief Creative Officer on Twitter. Social media makes everyone more accessible. Leverage the fact that you’re a digital native, and thus as comfortable on the Internet as a mermaid is in the fathoms below. If someone has a blog, they will likely have their contact information there. And be sure to set up your own digital presence - having your own little corner of the web to point to is always a good idea, and will only become more important. Yes, brand yourself! As long as you don’t become a caricature of yourself, like Paula Deen, you will surely be on your way.
Any advice? It doesn’t matter what field you’re in. If you have any brainage to drop, for defs leave a comment: what’s your best jobhunt advice?
