How not to get a job in advertising

BY: RYAN ANDERSON  |  Uncategorized

In the most recent edition of Marketing Magazine, Tony Alitilia, CEO of Toronto agency Downtown Partners has a piece that hits very close to home for anyone who is in the position of receiving resumes from would-be ad workers. 

In the piece he talks about getting resumes addressed to the wrong person, mentioning their respect for the wrong agency and riddled with spelling errors.  This, it should come as no surprise to find out, is not the best way to get a job in the industry.

Since we’re hriing on all cyllinders here, we feel his pain.

His advice to those trying to break in?  Remember that you’re a brand, and that it’s your job to sell yourself to the person who would theoretically be hiring you.  Don’t hide behind email for the first point of contact - get creative, send in a package, and impress the person on the other end.  And when it’s an unsolicited package - don’t ask them to call you.  You’ll call them.

All good advice - and I would add the following:

1. Don’t seem crazy.  We’ve gotten cover letters that read more like subpoenaed diaries of convicted serial killers than requests for employment.  Try to avoid that.
2. Don’t pretend you know me.  You don’t.  Be friendly, but being overly familliar is a turn-off.
3. Network.  It really is all about who you know.  Join ihaveanidea.org, go to networking events, and meet the people you need to meet.  Don’t be a sychophant though… nobody likes that.

Of course, this probably isn’t going to stop the terrible submissions from coming in, because why would you read the corporate blog of the place you’re trying to get hired at?  Hopefully, though, it will at least point the good candidates in a better direction.