Ethan Goodman from Mars Advertising

I had the pleasure of ’rapping’ with another Mars Advertising employee, this time at the Chicago office. Ethan Goodman is a wonderfully insightful Digital/Interactive strategist. Ethan has the incredible opportunity of fore fronting digital strategy at Mars through helping launch the new social media composure of collective bias. In a nut shell, Collective bias is a divergence of Shopper Marketing, social and digital media.

A note from me, the blog master: It is an amazing opportunity to see Mars operate in different capacities and gain an understanding of how the distinct offices work both independently and with one another.

For those still in school:

“Focus less on class and more on experience.” Filled with passion, Ethan states that he learned more working in groups and getting involved in a variety of activities/functions, than he did in his University classes. Outside experiences will help you “break away from the norm and embrace new ways thinking.”

Note from me, the blog master: Getting involved in outside activities will also help you get familiar with and understand culture and people…. Advertising and culture go hand and hand.

Breaking into the field:

When I asked Ethan specifically how he broke into the field of Advertising, he told me that he just fell into it. Each new opportunity he embraced, led him closer to his current job in advertising. The moral of this is to keep yourself open and receptive to a variety of experiences and opportunities as you never know where they may lead. Ethan emphasizes that while it is important to take on as many opportunities as you can, still keep your end goal in sight. Don’t be afraid of change, as change can lead to the best connections. Oh, and EMBRACE CHALLENGES!

Also, don’t be afraid of starting out at the bottom. Many of us entry level job seekers contrive this awful nightmare of being abused at the bottom, but as an entry level employee it is important to grow and develop through the ranks. ‘Climbing the ladder’ will help you gain more respect from others within the company and your field. Keep in mind that hard, valiant work, regardless of the position, will turn heads and pay off.

Networking:

Ethan also stressed how hugely importantly networking is; “It’s how I landed my job in Advertising.”

There is a difference between Personal and Professional networking. You can gain a new world of connections through people you know on a personal level. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends and family and let them know you are looking for a job. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you will be to receive a response.

As far as professional networking, Linked in, Twitter and Facebook are great ways to do this. As an entry level job seeker, it is important to put fourth the effort to create your digital network.

Finally, do some research and check out your cities own networking hubs. You can do this by googling advertising events in your city, and by checking out your local AIGA or Ad fed chapter. An alumni club is also a great way to make some connections.

Be persistent and set your self apart from others. In Ethan’s words, “This approach may turn some people off, but you probably wouldn’t want to work for them anyway.”

Being a ’good fit’ at an agency is just as important as having the necessary skills to excel at the position. If you are true to yourself throughout the job seeking process, when you do land a position it will be the best fit for both you and the company.

Outfitting yourself:

As far as your interview attire, it should be dependant on the culture of the organization. Some agencies project a relaxed, social atmosphere and being over dressed could send the wrong signal and vice versa. Remember that a job interview does not always equal a suite and tie. Do your research prior to the interview to find out how you should dress. You can conduct this research by isolating social networking tools, or through contacting an individual at the agency for advice. Remember that as a job seeker it is a rarity to hear no when reaching out to someone and requesting advice.



The Interview:

It is important to be confidant, comfortable and calm during an interview. Keep in mind that an interview is merely an intelligent conversation and that there is nothing to be nervous about. Also, a good way to make yourself memorable is through being engaging dynamic and social.

Resume:

Keep it easy to read but make it visually compelling at a fist glance. A good tip from Ethan, add a 2 sentence blurb at the top about who you are.

As far as your experience section, don’t solely list what you have done, describe it and offer tangible results. For example, don’t write ‘marketing coordinator for project‘, write ‘developed and executed creative marketing plan that showed 75 % effectiveness in the market place.’ As a general rule, meaningful things stand out.

Don’t forget to run your resume by as many and as wide of a variety of people as you can. Professionals, friends, family, and drinking buddies alike may all have something interesting and relevant to say. Don’t be afraid of criticism, see it as an opportunity to strengthen your weaknesses.

A final note from your blog master: Being fearless of criticism is easier said than done. It took me a long time to embrace criticism and I honestly still get nervous hearing it. The only way to become more comfortable with criticism is to suck it up, request it and embrace the responses. Believe me, the more you embrace it, the less it will bother you.

A few final words of advice from Ethan

Stay positive, don’t take rejection personally and be persistent.

Thanks Ethan, you are a man of good words.

“Don’t forget to follow up but without being a stalker” Linda Hamm from Ogilvy Chi Town Interview

My next interview was with Linda Hamm, an awesome recruiter at Ogilvy in Chi Town. Ms. Hamm was able to offer a “large agency” perspective on the subject of entry level job seeking.

To Begin:

Ms. Hamm stressed the importance of being prepared and doing your research. Know the exact agency you are talking to. Many large agencies have multiple departments and focuses. If you are contacting the PR sector, and think you are contacting the Design/ creative sector, you risk sounding unprepared and stupid.

Note from your blog master: Believe me this is true… not that I’ve done this… (wink, wink)

The WOW factor:

As far as the WOW factor, Ms. Hamm stressed the importance of doing your homework prior to the interview. Also, respect the interviewers time as most are very busy and cannot give up a ½ hour to discuss thing with you. Think about the message you want to portray and be brief. Prior to the interview, be able to sum up in 30 seconds what value you can bring to the company.

Another note from your blog master: Practice the delivery of this 30 second message in front of others. Believe me when I say that thinking it and saying it are VERY different.

Also, make yourself compelling. Research the company’s current needs and use those as leverage when selling yourself. Know which parts to play up and which to play down.

Let’s not be an obsessive fan, OK?:

“Don’t forget to follow up but without being a stalker” was anther piece of interview advice Linda offered. You need to demonstrate interest, without being annoying. You need to follow up with a “soft touch, not a hard sell.”

Networking:

Again, Ms. Hamm, like many others, stresses that networking is crucial. Knowing people can put your resume at the front of the pile. You can meet agency professionals by doing your research and reaching out. Connect to industry professional by asking for insights and advice on your work. Most everyone in this industry is willing to help, you just need to make the effort and ask.

On the job market in Chicago:

Linda Hamm stresses that the market is all the same across the board. It is rough, and very hard to find a job. As entry levels, we have it particularly rough because we are in competition with everyone. Due to the recent layoffs, many individuals with much more experience take entry level jobs at the pay decrease.

But, does this me we give up and cry, NO!. Linda stresses that we need to be flexible and embrace any opportunities, even if they are not exotically what we want.

On a final note:

Try to get face time. This means asking for informational interviews, even if no positions are available. The more face time you can get, the more memorable you will be when a job does open.

Thanks Linda! Your ‘big picture‘ advice is a value to us all.

Random Media Woman From Chicago

So I was in Chicago at a thrift store when I ran into someone who works in media for an awesome company. Due to confidentiality agreements, I can’t say where she works but I promise you it is awesome! Here is what this anonymous, but totally awesome, woman had to say about being entry and finding a job:

Spend time on your resume! Don’t list useless skills, tailor your resume to the company in which you are applying, and keep it as straight forward as possible. This woman stressed that she sees a lot of 3 page resumes and that they go instantly in the trash. One page is the cut off.
Look for head hunters/recruiters. This is a great way to find jobs beyond Internet postings. This woman found her media job through a headhunter; If it worked for her it will work for you.

Know your strengths and weaknesses when going into an interview. Understand what you can bring to the company and know how to express that. Interviewers want to know that you understand how your specific skills will help you excel in the position and grow the company.
Thanks for the chat anonymous, but totally awesome woman

Chris from Curve Detroit

Hey Everyone!

I contacted Curve Detroit (www.curvedetroit.com), a real friendly, interesting agency. An awesome person named Chris was able to offer some so cool "big picture" advice. Here it is...


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1. Be Creative - I know this sounds cliche, but every agency has the pick of the litter. So the next time you decide to send your resume along to be considered with the pack, take a second and study the target audience you are going for and what might make a lasting impression on them. Whether it is a funny and creative cover letter, or a hot dog stand selling your resume with mustard, be different.


2. Have Confidence. How you handle yourself is how you are going to handle client work. Step up, be sturdy and bat.


3. Be Polite. This is an obvious answer but still effective, sometimes things don't work out. The new guy they were going to hire moved to Alaska. Who else was nice that I interviewed?? Don't burn any bridges, even if you think you may not have a shot, thank the interviewer, send a thank you card after ... and smile. Karma finds a way.

"How do you think finding an advertising job in Detroit differs from other markets?"

I feel that the market is seeing the end of an era. However, with this end comes a new start. I am seeing jobs in 3D design, video production, gaming, and other lesser known "marketing" areas. This is a time of transition, with change comes a bit of a learning curve. Detroit is in a wonderful position to see these changes, if we adapt. I am hopeful we can.

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Thanks a bunch Chris, you rock my face off :).

-Alex