How To Get Your First Job In Advertising

Note to Mentors

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Unit Purpose and Aims

The purpose of this unit is to;

The portfolio is central to the job hunting process in advertising. This unit will give the learner the skills to build their portfolio and to develop and manage their personal brand.

Learning Outcomes

Learners will;

1. Understand how to prepare themselves to find a job in advertising

Learners can;

1.1 Create a suitable portfolio

How to create a suitable portfolio

1.2 Present a portfolio in an interview situation

1.3 Begin to build a personal brand on-line.

Download & Read:  Dave Trott – How to Get Your First Job in Advertising

Example of an Online Portfolio

2. Know how and where  jobs are advertised.

2.1 Identify main sources of available jobs

2.2 Prepare sample letters, portfolio and cv’s for different channels and jobs.

Learning Tools, Resources & Links

BBH Creative team: Top Tips

• Never be scared of ringing agencies over and over again to pester them for a book crit, it’s the only way you will get in.

• If you going to a traditional agency take more digital work and vice versa as traditional agencies already have lots of traditional creatives and will struggle to win digital clients because of it.

• Find out which clients the agency your going to have recently won and include some of your own ads for that brand.

• Try and remember names of people you meet and get crits with so you can ring other people and say “Pam recommended that I saw you with my book.”

• If you get a placement in an agency, take on other teams briefs and try to out do them creating lots of ideas for as many briefs as possible to show you are enthusiastic.

• Make the effort to introduce yourself to as many people in the agency as possible as never turn down an offer to the pub.

IPA: How to become a creative … http://www.ipa.co.uk/Content/How-to-become-a-Creative

Things that will help the learner develop understanding of this unit;

Mentors please add your ideas, examples, case studies, links to articles, videos, etc. here.

 

Exhibit an understanding of how to prepare for the first day of work

How to create a suitable portfolio

Structure your folio into two parts

Prioritise three projects that you feel are especially relevant to the interview – your newest piece of work, something similar to the project you’re being considered for, a project you’re really proud of…

The point being – you should be able to convey your passion and expertise from just a few examples. It shows you’ve thought seriously about the opportunity and demonstrates a professional courtesy to the people you’re meeting expect them to have a clear idea of what they’re after, but also understand they’re likely to be short on time.

Structure the second part of your folio to include further examples of your work in a bulleted format that’s easy to browse. Up-front explain how your folio is organised and invite you’re interviewer to flick through the second part as they wish.

Categorise and summarise consistently

Have clear breaks between each of your projects. Include title, date, employer etc. Write a short synopsis for each project following this universally understood template:

Brief: Summarise the brief

Response:  What’s the idea behind your work? What did you do and why?

Results:  What was the outcome of the project? Was it a success? What’s the current status?

It’s important you try and are able to express yourself in eloquent terms. If you’re finding it hard to write something short, write it out long-hand then reread and refine again and again until it all fits on less than one side of A4.

Always include examples of work in progress

Talk through the process you followed and the decisions you made. Show by example how you refined and developed your work to the final piece. This is critical for two reasons: Firstly it demonstrates your intellectual capacity as much as your craft skills. Do not underestimate how attractive this blend is to employers. Secondly it brings a structure to the conversation that benefits everyone “ it makes the meeting easier, and this makes you look good.

Always include examples of your work in its final format

If your work is designed to be seen onscreen then bring a laptop. If you’ve designed a book bring a bound copy etc. This approach adds real authenticity to your presentation.

Don’t be afraid to show versions other than the final client approved work

It’s a sad truth that your work may sometimes be compromised. Trust your instincts and keep a copy of your preferred version as well as the final client-approved result. Creative people are by nature innovators. Sometimes the rest of the world can’t see what we see as quickly as we do. As your career progresses it’s important to be able to look back and include the very best of what you’ve done.

Never forget your future employers are buying into you, not the decisions of others. There is only one caveat to this: If you find yourself including work in this way never bullshit. Explain, in a non-bitchy way, why your preferred version was not finally approved by the client.

Do not reinvent the wheel

There are conventions for describing almost all creative activities. Use them or be considered amateurish. For example, if it’s a script format it properly. If it’s a storyboard annotate stage directions like a Hollywood pro. If you’ve designed a font show the character-set in full, at different sizes and select a memorable piece of text and set it beautifully. You get the idea. Present your work like a professional. If you don’t know what I’m talking about get on google and do some research.

Leave something good behind

This does’t need to be super flashy or mega high budget,  but it must capture your identity. A good leave behind will always get passed around the studio. A positive response from the group will play in your favour.

And remember

For an interviewer, meeting a great candidate can be the highlight of the day. Aim to be that high point you’ll get the job.

Example of an Online Portfolio Presentation

[1]http://prezi.com/u4vp8mqyuevs/view/[2]

Follow job updates from trade press

Campaign and Brandrepublic both send out email newsletters with job offers.

Use a simple idea with a ingenious insight.

Happened in 2009 but he even won a Cannes Lion with his job application. Now Alec Browstein works for a very small agency call Young & Rubicam in New York. To be fair he seems to be one of the most promising talents out there.

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Portfolio tips.

While I was looking around the web for new and inspiring ways to promote your portfolio I came across an article which seems to be pretty spot on. The article describes what is important when promoting yourself and what is a myth. In one of the first sentences the authors says: “There is no single “right” way to prepare a portfolio.” which is a very true statement as each agency and human being has a different culture and personality. You talk differently to your granny than you talk to your partner. With portfolios it is the same, prepare it well, and prepare it for the person you will be showing it to.

Your portfolio will show how hard you can work, and how much effort you put into preparation. Good ideas are nice, but if you truly want to stand out your portfolio has to show that to any potential employer from a mile away. Here are some more tips on how to brush up your portfolio, or even better how you can make sure it is always ready for a CD to have a look into.

How to Get an Entry Level Job or Internship

The original article can be found here.

Looking for that big break? A gateway to the thrilling world of design? Follow our 10 step program and you will be on your way!

Research
1. Decide which country and city you most would like to work in and decide which firm or designer you would most like to work with.
-Consult books, magazines, websites and ask fellow designers and professors: where would they go and who would they want to work with?

2. Make a list of at least 10 different firms and designers that you want to contact.
-Rank them (using criteria such as location, coolness of projects, reputation in design community, specializations, skills you will learn there) so that you know where to put your best effort.

3. Find everything you can about the city and designers and firms of your choice.
-Again, look at books and mags, etc. Get the design firm or designer’s contact information. You can use Coroflot to help you with this.

Contact
4. Put together a brief letter of introduction, telling the firm or designer-
-Who you are
-Where you go to school or where you currently work
-What you are doing there (studying, working as a draftsperson, whatever)
-Why you are contacting them (for an internship)
-Why you are contacting them in particular (you feel their design work is the best, they specialize in the field you want to get into.)
-What you hope to get out of working with them (better insight into the field, etc.)
-That you are eager to relocate to their city (if applicable)
-That you are looking to learn and not to earn. (that you don’t need to be paid)
-How to contact you if they are interested (e-mail address, phone number, address)

5. Include samples of your work! Very important!
-Slides, color photos, color printouts, even a photocopied or laser-printed sheet with clear pictures of your projects is enough.
-If you have particular skills or talents, like sketching or modeling or computer work, emphasize them in your samples.
-Five or six images should be enough to whet their appetites, but send more if you have enough quality projects and photos.

6. Include your C.V. or resume
-Keep it to one page.
-List experience with work, computer programs.

7. Don’t over-design this little package! Don’t spend hours working on your letterhead and picking special papers for your envelopes and letters. Don’t try any crazy layouts or stunts to make your package stand out – you are not applying for a graphic design position. Just be sure you:
-Make it clear
-Make it short
-Include pictures

8. Call, fax or e-mail the firm or designer to get a contact name – the person who handles hiring – and label your package to their “Attention.”
- Send it off!
- Even if the firm says they are not hiring at the moment, get a contact name and send off your package anyway.

Follow up
9. After sending your packet to the list of designers:
-After a week or so, contact the firms by phone, fax, or by e-mail.
-Be sure to talk to the person you sent the package to.
-Confirm they have received your package. Ask them if there are any questions they have about it. Ask them if they would like to see more work.
-If they have questions, answer them; if they want to see work, send them some more. If they want to have you come in for an interview, do it!
-If you need to travel a long distance for the interview, try to set up a few other interviews for the same time, and give yourself some time to see the sites- make the trip as multi-purpose as possible.

10. Repeat Step 9 every month (even every 2 weeks) or so until you get someone to invite you over for an interview. Being persistent pays! Stay in contact with the firms and send them more of your work as you produce more. Gather firm names and look for firms that are hiring at Coroflot! Keep at it!