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Anyone in FP&A hiring?
I gave 4 rounds of interview for Manager 1 but the final decision was that I am unable to raise the bar. The recruitment coordinator asked me if he can keep my details or share my details to his colleagues so that they can check if I fit in some other role in future. Any idea about the cool off period?Amazon
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First off, you’re likely gonna get a pay cut from what you’re used to. And you’re gonna start small, as an Associate Producer.
I started in a different department in advertising, and worked my way up to where I am now. I was a receptionist first, then when I was a proven entity, hopped to Business Affairs, THEN got an opportunity with an associate producer role. Consider starting in another department that you know you’re qualified for from editor to advertising, and it’ll make a switch much easier/smoother. Or try to start out at a post house or vendor - something agency adjacent.
When you apply to a portal, the portal will automatically scrub for key words on your resume. So look at the job description and tailor accordingly - see how much crossover skills and responsibilities there are with your current job, and the job description. Write a killer cover letter.
But your best bet, and how I’ve gotten almost every job beyond the reception job, was word of mouth and recommendations. So if you know anyone, now is the time to make the call and ask them to pass your resume along.
I do interview candidates and mentor our coordinators and associates - what you really need to succeed is a cool head in pressing and stressful situations, good people skills, good problem solving (that’s essentially all the job is, is solving problems and creating plans to execute), curiosity/someone that isn’t afraid to ask questions, and interest in production.
It is not for the faint of heart. It’s long hours (bye, nights and weekends when you’re short staffed or on a huge production), lots of pressure, and people can be major assholes with massive egos that you need to figure out how to work with successfully. I’d really try and get a sense for the day-to-day before you make the jump. It’s not all travel, fancy hotels and expensive dinners. I see the airport, I see the hotel, and I see the set, and it doesn’t matter if I’m in Buenos Aires or Czech Republic and it wouldn’t matter because I am there to work. I work 12-18 hour days production weeks, away from my family. There is so much excel and negotiation and tedious bullshit that make things run smoothly.
There’s some sexy parts about the job, especially the higher up you go and the more interesting/bigger creative ideas you get to execute, but try to go into it with your eyes open.
Great reply @Producer 1.
I started as a receptionist. Then account management. Then jr, mid, senior producer - and now I have 70 people reporting to me.
Everyone starts somewhere.