Looking for a job in advertising? Here's some advice.

Many of us are at a point in our lives when we are starting to send out our resumes and cover letters, hoping desperately to get an entry-level position in the advertising industry. Many different people will give you very different strategies on how to get your foot in the door, (which may cause a bit of confusion) because there is no single strategy of landing a job. Different agencies have different cultures with various human resources directors who look for different qualities in a prospective employee. This is where the stress starts to seep in. But, luckily, there are a few universal things you can (read: should probably) do if you want to stand out amongst other applicants and get your first industry job!

Now, take this advice with a grain of salt since I'm still a student and am currently going through a job-search of my own. But, all of the following advice comes from my experiences talking to profs and industry professionals from Sheridan College.

Here's what you should do when trying to land a job:

1. Talk to people! Talk to people from agencies you want to work at. Take them out for coffee and pick their brain about the industry. If you show passion and excitement for advertising they will be that much more likely to mention your name when the next entry-level job opens up.

2. Brand yourself! Figure out what your personal brand is and stick to it. Understand who you are, what you can offer an agency and where you see your career going. The confidence you show in your own personal brand will definitely reflect in an interview.

3. Get to know the industry! Research everything you can and keep up to date with the advertising world. Having a point of view on the industry will show that you are passionate and not only care about getting a job, but are interested and curious about the industry you are trying to enter.

4. Don't ask for a job! When contacting potential agencies, understand that getting a job is a process. If you say that you want a position in the first email you send, chances are that email is getting sent straight to the trash.

5. Follow up! If you speak with an agency rep or talk over the phone, make sure you send a thank you note. Their time is very valuable, and showing that you are grateful for the time they spent with you, you will stand out amongst those who didn't. Make sure you follow up within 24 hours!

6. Be 10 minutes early!

That's all I have for now. If you follow these rules, it will only help you in your job-search. Good Luck!

Next Generation Day 2015

Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to be a part of Next Generation Day 2015 as part of Advertising Week in Toronto. We began our day at TIFF Bell Lightbox, where we listened to panelists speak about their experiences in the advertising industry. One panel consisted of industry people with over 15+ years experience, and the second consisted of individuals with <5 years. Both panels were extremely insightful and gave prospective ad people an idea of what agencies are looking for throughout the hiring process and how to stand out amongst the crowd.

After the panel presentation, students left for their assigned agency visit, where we were given a guided tour of the office as well as Q&A with key personnel. I was fortunate enough to visit Sid Lee, which is found in the distillery district in Toronto, and it was probably the coolest work environment I've ever seen. The tour really gave us a better understanding of the culture offered and demystified the moving parts of an ad agency. After the tour, we actually worked with a copywriter and art director on an ongoing agency project. They gave us a brief, and split up into teams to solve the problem that the agency was having. This was an invaluable experience, since it gave us an opportunity to solve a real problem at an agency!

After the tour, we had a social at a bar in Toronto, where students from colleges all over Ontario were able to meet and network, which was one of my favourite parts of the day. Overall, I had a great time at Next Generation Day, and would recommend it to any prospective advertising student looking for more information on the industry!

PS: If I could give one tip to advertising students who didn't have the chance to go to Next Generation day, it is this: know who you are, and what your personal brand is. The panelists all agree that this one thing is critical if you want to get into the ad industry!

This opportunity was offered to me through the Advertising: Account Management program at Sheridan College!