Ask A Recruiter - Advertising

Any recruiters who have worked for companies based in North America as well as Europe? I've worked in the US all my life, but am considering moving to Europe for a year or two. I wanted to know if… more

Is it normal to give ACD and other senior roles take-home tests? I'm not saying that these roles are too specialized to be tested, but it just hasn't been the norm in the past decade. It's… more

Recruiters, how do you really feel when someone applies to both creative and strategy roles at the same agency? Does it make you curious about their range, or worried they don’t know what they want?

It feels impossible to stand out, and the number of talented professionals is only increasing. What actually makes a mid‑level candidate stand out when everyone’s portfolio looks polished? Is it the w… more

Do agencies have in-house recruiters? I've been wondering about the layoff culture in the last few years, and if it has caused a change in how open agencies are to expand the team rather than keep… more

How open are recruiters to candidates moving from the creative side to the strategy side? After 3 years in creative, I think I've realized what I truly enjoy about advertising isn't coming up … more

Is it a red flag if a CD is willing to work for a position that is paying close to 50K less than their previous pay? I unfortunately lost my job, and throughout my job hunt process, I keep getting ema… more

I had an interview last week and got told that I'm underqualified for the role I'm applying for, but there's a vacancy for a more junior role that I would fit right into. That position pa… more

Recruiters, does a long resume impress you with a candidate's accomplishments, or do you automatically assume they have no creativity to be able to put it all together in a nice and presentable fa… more

What’s market average for comp and yrs experience for a solid Associate Media Director in LA, indie agency/hybrid - client facing, exp with strategy and execution, comfortable leading jr staff end to … more

How many years of experience is considered standard for Senior Copywriters to be eligible for ACD roles? I've been one for 1.5 years and feel and think I'm ready for the next step, mostly beca… more

I'm either in terrible luck with recruiters, or the key characteristic trait is that they're non-responsive. I'm tired of seeming invisible to these recruiters. Does it help at all to keep… more

I always like to mention that I'm interviewing with other companies (if I am) when I'm interviewing. It's always followed up with a question about which other companies, and I feel uncomfo… more

For people in the social care industry especially care homes, apart from indeed, how else are you attracting senior carers with an NVQ Level 2 minimum?

Should I worry that agencies will actually use the ideas and campaigns I submitted for my competency tests? I made it to round 3 with two agencies, both of which asked me to do a test where I had to c… more

Had a recruiter reach out asking if I was interested in interviewing for a position at an agency, said they liked my book. But when I email with days and times to have the interview they go silent. Fo… more

They say if a job looks perfect, apply on LinkedIn, but then immediately find a recruiter or peer at that company and send a polite, brief DM. This step isn't so straightforward. How do you find t… more

I am an IT professional having 4 yrs of experience as a project manager. I am also pursuing online masters in project management; to upscale my skill sets.
Are there any openings for project manager p… more

I’ve heard some agencies are now running 'blind' portfolio reviews to increase DEI. Does this extend to the initial screening, or only the final round? Really trying to figure out what could b… more

Are agencies still hiring for 'siloed' roles (Copy vs. Art), or is the expectation for 2026 that every junior should be a 'Generalist Creator' who can handle both? In the interviews I&… more

Hello, I recently received a job offer from Publicis for a Media Supervisor role. The salary range listed online was approximately $80,000–$115,000. However, during conversations with the recruiter, I was told th… more

When reviewing cover letters, what actually makes you stop and read more closely? I've been trying to move to another shop, and none of my applications are getting attention. I'm thinking of g… more

I’ve always been on the numbers and optimization side, but I want to transition into more strategic roles like comms planning or brand strategy. When you look at candidates making such a shift, what c… more

Resume purpose statement - do you love to see them? Hate them? Curious if I should have one in the top of my resume and if so, what it needs to include

I’ve been a creative director for several years and am exploring executive opportunities. From a recruiter’s view, what makes someone’s leadership background stand out within the advertising industry … more

I’ve been interning at a small creative agency, and I’d love to move on and land a full-time role in account or strategy. Is it hard for someone with no work experience, per se, to get considered? Wha… more

I’m considering switching to an in-house marketing team. I've been a copywriter with three years of agency experience, but I'm still feeling underconfident and feeling like I would get screene… more

Does getting three rounds of interviewing mean nothing these days? Back in the day, if you even made it to round 2, it meant you were being seriously considered. Last week was my 4th time finishing a … more

I’ve spent three years in boutique agencies. If I wanted to be considered for a VP role at a global holding company, do I need to re-frame my resume to emphasize 'omni-channel' experience?

Any other LinkedIn Premium users finding the new AI search completely useless? Customer Support has confirmed they will not roll it back, despite the broken delivery and they also won't restore im… more

I’ve pivoted heavily into first-party data strategy since the final sunset of third-party cookies. Are agencies looking for media buyers who can also handle data privacy compliance, or are those still… more

Didn't think this was gonna be a problem, but portfolio sites are being flooded with AI-generated assets. Recruiters, when you’re screening Art Directors, what specific 'human-only' marker… more

I had some great rounds of interviews, and was even told I am the candidate they want. The last email I got though, was a little concerning. They said there is a "budgeting issue" and plan t… more

How many years clocked as a junior copywriter is preferred when you're hiring for a senior copywriter? I don't want to sound overconfident, but I think I come up with much better ideas and cop… more

When you’re recruiting for creative roles, what kind of proof or examples do you actually need from someone who's been an SMM for 2 years, to take them seriously as a senior copywriter/content str… more

I recently left an agency due to burnout from long hours and a pretty toxic culture. I’m nervous about how to explain that to recruiters without sounding bitter or like I’m a flight risk. What’s the b… more

I’ve spent the last 4 years in a small in-house marketing team where my title is “Marketing Specialist,” but I do a little bit of everything: email, paid social, light copywriting, and reporting. I’m … more

What kind of information do recruiters need to collect in order to figure out if the candidate is a good fit or not? I recently got asked about my family and my commitments towards them. I thought it … more

I’m recruiting for a mid-size agency and noticing a drop in candidate responses lately. Has anyone else seen a slowdown in advertising talent engagement this quarter, or is it just our niche?

How do you handle portfolio vetting when roles are hybrid creative/strategy positions? I sometimes struggle to determine if a candidate’s work reflects their own thinking or a team effort.