Art Director Discussions
Interviews

I've been a mid-level AD for just over 3 years now. I'm not pushing to be promoted yet because I know I still have things to learn, but I'm also right on that cusp so I am definitely thinking about it.

I'm interviewing at shops, and I want to ask about goals for a mid who wants to become a senior, but I'm worried about coming across title hungry if I do. CDs/ECDs, would it turn you off if someone in my position were to ask a question like this?

How long between interview and hiring decision? I interviewed for an AD position 2 weeks ago, got positive throughout the 7 hour process and then radio silence.


Followed up w the recruiter last week and nothing no reject, no offer, no we’re still working on it.

How long is reasonable??

#advice #mentorship #creativedirectors

Hello, business owners and creative community leaders. Since moving to SW Florida end of 2019, professional life has been a f*ckin doozy (for many of us.) For 15 years I’ve been an art director / brand / designer and can say I’ve done well.

After many connections and interviews and tests and hoops I’m not getting hired. Feeling defeated, frustrated — bang head here!

Any mentors / leaders that can advise a renewed jump to restart? Thank you in advance.

Applying to Google s&ops lead position for a product suite - what are key experiences and capabilities to highlight? My experience is outside of tech and the ad is quite generic, so happy for any thoughts on what is most critical

Hey everyone! I'm based out of Chicago and I'm applying for a junior art director role in LA. Could other junior creatives share the current range of salaries are out there?
Sites like Glassdoor can be a little unreliable or out of date for juniors.

5 year Ad Agency Manager applying Fall 2022.
Wondering how to best sell myself to adcom?

Goal is to transition into strategy or IT/digital consulting.

From what I have researched so far, my client related work in advertising sounds very similar to a consultant’s day-to-day.

Between client relations, developing brand strategies, analysing data, and implementations, I feel as if I’ve built a career that can easily transfer into consulting.

Thoughts?

Hey guys, I’m a junior AD under a year into my professional career at a big agency and am preparing for an informational interview with a recruiter at an agency that I really admire. They reached out to me out of the blue and showed interest at looking at my book (it’s currently locked because I’m working on updating it).

(Cont. in comments)

hey all, I was wondering if anyone has any advice regarding professionally branding yourself with a partner as a copywriter/art director team? Have you had more success getting jobs as a team or solo? Also wondering how the application/interview process goes when looking for jobs as a professional partnership? I’ve come across a few AD/CW partners at my agency and would love some insight as to how this process goes.

So I’ve been looking for a job since august and have had a bunch of interviews but never got the job. I always thought I was a good at interviews, but I’ve started really questioning that. I feel like I have solid experience and have always been managed by either GADs or CCD so have worked and been exposed to things that you don’t necessarily expect someone at my level (AD/SAM) to have worked on. Anyways, I’m curious to hear how you guys talk about/sell yourselves during interviews? Any tips?

Art director in NY with 2 years of experience, around how much should I be asking for when applying to other jobs?

Mid-level AD for 4 years, interviewing for a senior AD position in Chicago. What’s a good salary to ask for? Thanks!

I'm so frustrated. I've been working for 10 years and I can't get an interview for Senior AD roles, but I get tons of enthusiastic calls for Intermediate ones. Im doing the work of a senior now - concepting alone, working direct with clients, guiding the odd junior - and I do a lot of stuff for the community at large that shows leadership (like conference stuff).

I've had CDs review my book and they say my work is great. Why can't I land a senior job? I want to manage, I have good ideas. WTF?

For recruiters and Creative Directors!
What is ONE major decision factor when interviewing an Art Director? What are some "turn offs?"

Just interviewed Jon Bond, founder of KBS which at the te was the largest and best independent agency in the country. If you're an ad nerd there's a TON of helpful insights on this one.

I'm in the beginning stages of interviewing for AD positions & have run into different role terminologies across agencies. Trying to get clarity - what're the terms u know of re:acct role career path?

CDs: Do you view someone who went to Miami Ad School in a more favorable light in terms of willingness to look at someone’s book or interview them? Or is it really not that big a deal if someone didn’t go there?

Have a final round interview tomorrow for a Jr. PM role. Interview is with the Group AD. What kinds of questions should I be expecting/what kinds of actions and results do GAD's look for? Client is a headphones company, doing work for brand's social

Been a jr AD for 2 years at the same agency, looking for new opps but not sure if I should be applying to mid-level roles or if it’s too early. any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

I concept and write commercials. Me (and my art director) interview and hire directors for all our spots, make all casting decisions, oversee wardrobe, cast VO, direct VO, oversee art direction, color correction, sound design, choose and direct music.

My title is Copywriter. Genuine question: Am I doing the job of a copywriter or a creative director?

Got invited to interview for an Ad Ops Manager role - Has anyone made the switch from media planning to Ad Ops? How was the transition and is there any major difference in career growth paths? Do you hate it/love it?

Has any job searcher gotten an interview through networking or career posts here? Relatedly, is fishbowl an app paid/sponsored by (big) law firms to monitor how their employees really feel/think? I know it started out in the ad industry...

I currently work full-time at an ad agency making $40k a yr in an entry-level role; however, I am now in the late interview stages w/ a major tech company who is offering $85k but for a contract role w/ no guarantee of hire since I would be covering someone’s temporary leave.
I really want to work in music but I am iffy on leaving a full-time job for a contact.

Is it ever a good idea to jump ship for a contract job or should I just wait for a full-time role to open up?

Bristol Myers Squibb Senior Auditor - I am interested in applying but I think I’ve seen their ad for a senior auditor for maybe 5 months now. Is this a red flag? (Maybe high turnover?)

If I put a TVC in my book (as an art director), what are the general assumptions of my role in the project? Are art directors usually supposed to handle set design and stuff in addition to concepting it? Should I be specific in my book as to what parts I did or didn’t do or leave that to when people ask in interviews?

An ad agency asked me come up with creative concepts for a campaign as a job interview writing test. They are willing to pay me but on a project basis rather than an hourly rate. I’m a junior writer, how much should I charge (I have no clue about freelance rates)?

I’ve applied to over 40 jobs since I was laid off in March. Not one click to my portfolio, per analytics. With a family of four, we are being spread thin. Not only is the income desperately needed, but my creative soul needs a release. I would be happy to do typical Art Director work but I’m “over qualified” for that and am never taken seriously when applying for work below CD/ACD. If anyone needs or know of any company needing freelance work, large or small—I’d really appreciate the lead. 🙏

Should an ad agency be able to thoroughly check my references and ask for my entire employment history (including why I left each job) before agreeing on a salary?

I’ve had 7 interviews, met every stakeholder, was initially approached by one of them, who will be my boss. Plus I’ve had great feedback after every interview.

I was laid off from my previous job because of COVID so don’t have a ton of leverage. But that shouldn’t make me powerless. The process just seems like overkill.

Thoughts?

Should an ad agency be able to thoroughly check my references and ask for my entire employment history (including why I left each job) before agreeing on a salary?

I’ve had 7 interviews, met every stakeholder, was initially approached by one of them, who will be my boss. Plus I’ve had great feedback after every interview.

I was laid off from my previous job because of COVID so don’t have a ton of leverage. But that shouldn’t make me powerless. The process just seems like overkill.

Thoughts?

Hey Freelance Fish!
I’m looking for pros who are experts in applying for ad industry awards (specifically for *media* campaigns, and bonus if you’ve locked some wins!)
If that’s you, DM me your deets!!

During an interview for my first internship, I was talking about the writing in one of their TV spots which I really admired. One of my interviewers cut me off to say they didn’t do that spot because that brand wasn’t their client. I had done my research and was 99.9% sure it was their ad, but wasn’t about to argue with the SVP of Creative in my first professional interview. As I left the interview, I saw that exact spot playing on their reel in the lobby.

What’re your thoughts on this?

Questions you’ve been asked interviewing for AUSA position? If you got the job, how was your pay determined on AD scale in terms of which quarter you fell into? What state are you in?

Anyone know of a good resource of “stories” or essays of people with subpar GMAT <= 700 that still got into M7. Considering applying with my score as-is as I feel strongly about the rest of my candidate profile, but I want to think through how to tie together a strong story. No Ad consultant, will be using AppLab.

Is the title “art director” going extinct? My recent grads are applying for more jobs as “designers” or “digital designers” or “art designers” or, god help us “creative designers” (whatever that is).

Should I double email a CD about my book/for an informational interview or will that backfire? I’m a recent portfolio school grad (Art Director) scared shitless by this job market.

I'm thinking of applying to Miami Ad School Europe (Hamburg or Berlin) or VCU Brandcenter. Any thoughts on the two schools? How tough is it to get in? Thanks in advance :)

Where’s the best place to detail my experience with providing portfolio feedback to recent ad school grads? My portfolio site? LinkedIn? In an interview? All?

Anyone made the move from an Ad Agency to a Start-Up? I’m currently interviewing and it seems exciting but very different to what I’m used to. The interview process alone has been going on for four weeks. One hour zoom meetings at a time with different stakeholders. A world apart from the jokey, casual vibe of an Ad Agency Creative job interview where they’re much more interested in your portfolio.

Has anyone had luck in negotiating a higher title at a big pharma during the process? Like going into a Senior manager interview asking for AD or director? Assuming you have the qualifications.