Advertising Discussions
Interviews

I just had the most uncomfortable interview ever. This creative spilled the tea on the agency and also made some inappropriate comments. Even tho I’m not happy where I am, I rather wait and keep looking.

Dream agency. Dream salary. A couple interviews but no offer. How do I get over it?! Super bummed out over here. It really felt like the planets were aligning.

Anyone not enjoy the 30 minute interview rounds (post intro)?

They go so quick and difficult to get into the in depth discussions and beyond the surface level.

I got turned down from my dream job after what seemed like a perfect interview. Hey, them’s the breaks. I thought I really hit it off (professionally) with the interviewer, who is quite senior and who said they were moving me to the next round (interview with their C-suite boss). Can I write a (second) email thanking them again for their time and saying that I genuinely enjoyed our conversation and hope we get the chance to work together/cross paths in the future? Is that weird?

An agency I contacted a year ago, after I was laid off in the pandemic, finally gets in touch with a team opening on a very tough account. If I waited around that long for them I’d have defaulted on my mortgage, lost my work visa and been kicked out of the country by now. I’ve been freelancing on way more interesting stuff but decide to do the interview and find out more. The first question the CCO asks me and my partner, “So why do you want this job?” 🙄

Hello Ad humans! I've heard back from two jobs I applied for this week to set up phone interviews, but when I respond about setting one up, I don't hear back. What are everyones thoughts on this?

When interviewing, is there a tactful way to talk about exciting projects that you have worked on or are working on without disclosing confidential agency/client information?

I find these questions come up and I wonder if there is a best practice for answering. Can disclosing too much (even if it’s a good and interesting answer) actually work against you in terms of getting an offer?

There’s a job opening that I’m very qualified for that’s been open for over a year. I know for a fact I’ve gotten to really good referrals. Just got a note last night that they aren’t going to interview me. Honestly so curious as to what the issue is. So weird.

Do you concept with your partner almost all the time? I know some people like to brainstorm alone to bring thoughts to their partner. But my new partner constantly wants to brainstorm alone. When I try to build on an idea they bring, they always say “I’ll think about it later” and I say “Why don’t we work it out together now?” I don’t feel like this is a partnership because of the “my ideas” and “their ideas” division. Discouraged because in my interview, I said I loved collaboration over Zoom.

I was told never to turn down a phone call. I got invited to a second round interview from a job I’m not that interested in and they asked me how I was feeling about the opportunity. How do I respond?

What are good questions to ask recruiters right now? Is it ok to ask how a company did during the pandemic on a job interview?

When you’re interviewing at a new company, what do you do if they have one client you won’t work on? How/when do you bring that up?

Hi, I’ve been interviewing a great job, client side. The catch: they want someone on site. I have a son w/special needs in a group home near my house, and can’t be so far away from him (would have to fly). I’ve told them I’ve been successfully working remotely since before Covid, I’m willing to come out a week or two every month. Everything short of relo. I know we’re all remote work experts now. What advice do you have that can help strengthen my case for them to hire me? Thanks!

Interviewed with a company Wednesday, was told at the end and emailed with next steps that an employee (holding Co email/not agency) who was CC’d would reach out the following day to schedule next rounds.

I replied back, said my thank yous to interviewer and greetings for the CC’d employee.

No response in two days and email has not been read (crm tracking) by both people.

Reach out Monday?

If the job posting lists the salary range, when’s a good time to bring it up in the interview process? It’s a good range, job post says it’s negotiable. I have two interviews lined up with a senior leaders and a team interview.

I’ve seen enough: agencies are the worst at recruiting, interviewing, and follow up.

T/F question: interviews are mostly just vibe checks.

So I have been interviewing with a media agency for the past few weeks. From initial conversations to now, the offer has dropped $7k. When I asked why the offer had been lowered after I went through the interview process, they said it was because the team didn’t believe I had enough experience within a certain field. There is still 1 interviewer left to go. How would you proceed with this? Continue interviewing with the company, ask for an increase, walk, etc?

I’ve brought up with my agency twice about salary increase. First time they brought up covid salary freeze excuse. Now they removed salary freeze but no updates on their end. Do I bring it up again? I have been getting lot of interviews and could just say fuk it and jump ships. I got good review but no raise and the senior partner said they really value me then why are they exploiting me? They promoted my white colleagues and i am the only non white person in the team. I hate to use race card

Classic situation alert:

Told recruiter in first interview my number for salary, and now approaching second round and feel that I could’ve asked for more. Do candidates commonly push that number after the screener interview? How do I approach that?

I need some advice. I’ve been offered my first ever contract/freelance role and I’m struggling a bit to navigate the negotiation process. I’m being told via the contractor that the rate per hour is likely unable to budge despite me learning via my interviews the duties will far exceed simply writing. It seems fast paced, very busy and high responsibility. All fine, but it’s why I’m asking for more money. Is it normal to be told there’s a cap? Do they not expect freelancers to negotiate? Cont...

When a job posting on LinkedIn includes hashtag MAIP, does that mean do not apply if you are white? I don’t mean to be insensitive about this. Trying to find work and I want to understand if these roles are being flagged for diverse candidates and I’d be wasting my time applying. I know when a company says recent grads that I shouldn’t bother as an older candidate.

Is taking a final round interview for a role you’re not sure you’ll take risking burning a bridge?

Agency I’d love to work at reached out to me out of the blue. Had one interview and then it’s been radio silence for two weeks. Should I stop holding out hope?

Hey Ad People!! Jr Copywriter here! Tomorrow I have a interview with one of my dream agencies for an internship opportunity but I know my book isn’t good enough to land me the job. How does a candidate that may not have the best book stand out?? Backstory: I have been working freelance at an agency as a Jr. Copywriter which is why I haven’t been making new work. Did not attend portfolio school.

How many of you have ever won an award for a piece of work that you know for a fact didn’t produce results but was made to seem like it did via your case study. You don’t have to say what it was. Just curious

Had a second round interview for a strategist internship three weeks ago and the strategy director said they were “impressed”. Haven’t heard back since then. Is this what getting ghosted feels like?

Got an interview on the cards for a designer position.. any tips on ace-ing the preliminary one? Much appreciated ❤️

Put my 2 week notice in last week, just received the following email from HR:
'Below is the Exit Interview form you’ll use and then submit prior to your Exit mtg with XXXXXXX – please put 30 mins of time on her calendar prior to your last day.'
I need to schedule my own exit interview?! They can suck it! Side note, the HR person they want me to schedule time with provided me grossly wrong info on number of sick days I had, when I had to take medical leave last year. Asshats.

What are some good questions to ask a potential new partner in an interview? (I will be the interviewee meeting my potential AD partner). I have some ideas but would love to hear from others.

Total noob here at applying for new jobs, what have you all experienced in terms of hearing back from applications? 1 week?

How important is the craft of the case study video in terms of a campaign getting awarded?

Had a few rounds of good interviews w an agency in a smaller market for a higher position. Before the final interview (with the ecd), the recruiter sends me a “cost of living” info packet, comparing my city (one of the five largest in the country) to this new, smaller city. What’s it mean?

Have you ever felt trapped by your agency - like you're not happy with pay, projects, or whatever things but also the work isn't good enough to get you quality interviews -what'd you do next?

Most interviews you’ve had for one job , but didn’t receive an offer. And where if you dare say lol

It's been incredibly tough getting an interview lately. I knew things were rough, but damn.

Do yo I think competition will ease off sometime in the summer or so?

Just had an interview and found out a case study would be part of the process. I told them everything sounds great but the case study is a deal breaker. They said no problem and would like to continue with the process. Stay strong and say no to free work!

If you’re submitting a web series to Cannes Lions - do you also need a case study video? Is it a must have?

Just had a 3rd interview with a dream job for me, checks all of the boxes I am looking for right now. Send some good vibes my way!🙃