Advertising Discussions
Interviews

Is it insane for me to ask for 130k at the agency im interviewing at in NYC? They’d be making me a Senior AD and I have about 5 years experience. I just feel like I can’t afford to live in Manhattan for less than that. they offered me 90k. Am I being stingy or are they?

If you’re interviewing at a company & they reveal the budget for the position, but it’s lower than what you want, do you continue to interview & hope they’ll raise it if they really like you? For example, if Company A budgeted $90k, but I’m hoping for like $103k.

I’m currently studying at Miami Ad School for Art Direction in New York, but can’t seem to find a part time job. I’m still receiving interview requests for Video Investment Manager positions, but clearly I’m over that. Can someone point me in the right direction of getting an interview somewhere? It’s strange that no one is getting back to me. Thank you!

My mom is experiencing a lot of agism looking for a job in her field (clinical counseling). How do you mature adults out there structure your resume to show how badass you are and maximize experience? And how do you sell your strengths confidently in interviews? Thank you!

I've been offered a creative copywriting position with a Publicis Agency in a foreign country. Went through the whole interview process, did the assignment, got the offer letter and accepted it. They're helping me relocate and I've sent them all my documents. Now they're saying I'll only receive the official employment contract once I'm there. Is that weird or totally normal? I was hoping to receive it well in advance so that I have guaranteed job security when I resign at my current agency.

I've made it to round 3 of an interview, a portfolio presentation. There's been absolutely no mention of salary though except in the online application. How can I most politely ask what the job pays before committing to something that will take a chunk of my time up?

Is it just me or are NYC rates starting to get low? I'm getting interviews that's 65k for senior roles at top agencies, but 95-125k in the middle of freaking nowhere in PA and MA for midish roles.

Anyone else feeling this?

I started applying mid-December and (expected/would be a 🚩 if they did respond during the holidays) it was pretty quiet.

Even though I knew this rationally, I ended up casting a pretty wide net in case it was my book/things were just incredibly competitive.

It's January and the Calendlys are coming in hot and heavy.

How far do you typically go in the interview process before you tell the company it's probably not a good fit? I could use the practice, but don't want to waste anyone's time.

Can anyone share experiences at GSD&M (Austin) in brand management/account management? Considering applying for a position, but interested to hear the good/bad.

Been doing interviews lately for my first job. Is it common to work only on one account? Is it better to at work places where they give you an opportunity to work on multiple accounts so your book isn’t filled with work from 1 account?

About to give notice at my job. Leaving b/c of my managers are really horrible managers and create a toxic work environment but am afraid to come right out and say that on my exit interview. Don’t want to burn the bridge. How do I say it without saying it?

Planning to move from Chicago to New York in June and get a new job. When should I start applying for roles and/or reaching out to contacts or recruiters? Are agencies still doing remote interviews or will I likely have to fly to NYC for interviews? Any advice appreciated!!

Dear strategy hiring managers: stop asking candidates to do an assignment for a current paying client as part of the interview process. It’s exploitative, unethical, and is a terrible look for the agency. Asking people to do free work for you is not okay, not matter how ‘hot’ you think your agency is. Everyone who does it just feels dirty afterwards like they’ve been used. And HR folks, if you see hiring managers ask for an assignment, tell them it’s bad hiring practice, because it is.

Is it good to let CD/MD/HRs of an agency you’re interviewing with know you’re talking to other agencies too?

If it’s good, how to tell them appropriately?

Has anyone ever taken a marketing role that had a commission component to the compensation? I’ve been interviewing at a startup & they’re offering a base that is under my existing pay, but they also are offering a percentage of all revenue given back to me as a bonus.

I don’t know what I don’t know & I don’t want to get screwed over time with a deal like this (but would probably rather this deal than equity…)

Have you ever stopped an interview mid way because you realised the job wasn't right for you at all?

WTF is wrong with this industry? Just got a request to interview for a position I applied to in September! Seriously, what is wrong with these people??

I have a final interview for a creative operation role. What questions should I prepare for? I want to nail this interview to get the role.

What are some of the best questions you’ve asked (or wish you’d asked) during an interview?

Hiring managers and candidates, are you finding that it’s harder to schedule interviews in December? Do you think interviewing will pick up again in January?

Is anyone actually hiring? I'm seeing recruiters still looking for candidates for roles I interviewed for 6 months ago. What's going on?

It is absolutely insane to me how recruiter ghosting is acceptable in the world of working professionals.

I don’t care how busy they are. They seem to respond really promptly to all of my emails, but the second I am no longer of use to them, they’re too busy to fire off a ten word email.

Sending one more email letting me know that I’m not being considered for a position does not take long.

And after I took time out of my day to interview, it is the absolute least they can do.

What's agency life like at Translation? Have some interviews lined up and just trying to get a sense of what life's like there. Thanks!

What’s the most effort you’ve put into an interview? Beyond research, have you prepared any demonstrations, videos, projects, etc for a better chance?

Interviewed someone the other day who was vaping the entire time. I am fairly forgiving when it comes to attire/formality. I just try to focus on the work in front of me, but that was way too casual for me.

Am I blowing this out of proportion?
Has anyone else experienced something similar?

My boss is currently working on pushing through a promotion, with a vision to build a team around me for 2022. I haven't outwardly said that I am unhappy, but I know that I don't envision myself here for much longer.

I'm in final rounds of interviews & if it works out would be switching industries. Feeling some guilt around knowing how much they are trying to push for me & impact to clients when I might leave soon.

Any advice on how to deal w this? Know I can't say much until offer in hand.

When they bring up your age during the interview process in a negative way 🏃⛳

Interviewed for a role and after speaking with the manager for it, I’m not that interested anymore solely on the manager alone. How do I message the recruiter (the manager too?) that I’m no longer interested but don’t necessarily want to cut ties with the company in case there are better roles in the future? BTW I’m happy in my current role now, was just curious about the company.

Creatives, when did the fetishization of proactive ideas start?

Nothing wrong with a sweet proactive idea. But these days, feels like every agency I talk to 100% expects them, and wants to hear that you're all about them as early on as the first interview.

When did this start? To me, this implies that the agency expects you to abuse yourself, on your own time, to come up with ideas that will rarely get made. Is this the norm for you?

Brand 1 ✅:
1. More established brand & team
2. Bigger budgets
3. More traditionally "creative"

Brand 1 ⛳:
1. Asked for free work during interview process
2. 5 rounds of interviews
3. Are nitpicking tiny things in said free work. I'm concerned they don't know what they want.

Brand 2 ✅:
1. Genuinely excited to speak with me.
2. Opportunity to make a mark on the company & support me.
3. Are doing what they can to get me onboard.

Brand 2 ⛳:
1. Startup
2. Not as creative
3. Smaller business

Creatives who hire creatives:

what are characteristics of impressive creatives that are shown during the interview process? What do you look for?

Are sign on bonuses a thing in advertising? Been interviewing in-house and almost everyone brings them up. Never thought to ask for one from an agency. For reference I’m an ACD (if title has anything to do with it.)

Currently going through the interview process with a brand I love. I've interviewed with the CMO, completed a work task and presented it back to the team, and met with the CEO / founder. They've just come back to me saying that their creative agency has "offered to help with the process". This seems unusual especially given they're looking to bring all creative in house. First time I've ever heard of this happening - any theories as to why this is now a step in the process? Is it a red flag?

What do you all do for your mental health while in between work/not getting interviews & offers? I feel like I’m hitting rock bottom here, and my mind NEVER stops going. I think the holidays made it worse because I knew no one was actively working on hiring. I’ve experienced some mental health issues before, but nothing close to this. I’m young in my career if that helps with any insight or just to hear some positive experiences. Thanks for reading my rant

I'm in final stage interviews with two companies, both of which I like and have expressed interest in giving a final offer. Company 1 is moving pretty quickly, but company 2 has gone a bit quiet. How do I nudge company 2 so that I can compare and leverage offers?

I'm in the process of applying for a job and am in direct comms with their CMO who I'd be reporting into. I've noticed they've always emailed me or responded to me in the evening / weekends, even with non-urgent emails.

Is this a work life balance red flag?