I'm 55 and got laid off in early 2020. I still haven't found a full-time job. Beginning to think I'm retired and may be the last to know.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

It takes balls to take a step down. And if you are CD material, you have them. I’ve taken steps back and down and have navigated this industry through being up to ECD and (what some would call down) to just being a senior writer. Back and forth through “traditional” and pharma. If you have the chops, the level shouldn’t matter. The ride you take, and the bucks you make, should.

like

Yeah that's the biggest problem with being a proven awarded CD-level creative who's 100% willing to take a step back to do the work & just be part of the team: insecure, territorial, hack ECDs who wake up every day terrified that THIS is finally the day they're found out, and don't want you "stealing their job."

like

Considering OP’s situation is hardly a unique one, you can’t really blame ECD’s for fearing the same thing will happen to them. We’re all expendable at every level.

like

Consulting. Hit it.

like

Can you be more specific? Seriously, don’t know what “consulting “ means.

like

I’m 45 and the same thing happened to me. My old Lions meant nothing.

like

Awards only matter when you don’t have them.

like

I just got hired at 54 at a decent shop. I had to take a step back to being a senior creative though, which at this particular agency is like an ACD.

like

That’s what you may need to do. The ECD was suspicious of my intentions but I reassured him I was good with the money and the position and he was then happy to welcome me onboard.

like

Hi. Sorry to hear about your struggles - it sucks to be in that situation but you’re not alone.

I was let go from a CD position seven years ago, after a 10-year stint. FTE roles have been scarce. Consulting work, on the other hand, has been pretty good. It can be a lot of work to land clients but it is VERY satisfying when you do. And your clients will definitely appreciate your talent and guidance. Maybe you can partner with another CD in a similar situation? (I’m 54)

like

Have you been freelancing? Were you working in Pharma? B2B?

like

I've got automotive, tech, travel, fast food, entertainment, lifestyle, pro-bono...

Move into pharma advertising. Many creatives there are 55+

like

Would love to know a bit more. Have you been freelancing / consulting? What I’ve you tried as far as getting a new gig? Where do you live, etc?

I quit my last job a year ago and have been lucky to stay busy enough with FL. But I’m def looking to get back into full time somewhere this year. I’ve been concerned the same could happen to me, but I Just simply haven’t tried yet. 41.

Godspeed, friend. Plenty of people need what you sell. So it may just be that the FT agency thing is a narrow door to walk through at this point.

Thanks for the kind words. I've started to move more toward creating branded content and corporate filmmaking. I use my deep advertising experience to help companies tell their story in meaningful, yet succinct ways.

But I'm also still thinking my window hasn't closed on being a CD, at least client-side. I think my work is solid, just not getting any feedback from jobs I'm applying to.

I wish my network was more helpful. I'm well aware most jobs come from referrals.

I'm in San Francisco, where thousands have been laid off in the tech world, including a ton of marketing creatives.

like

Related Posts

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale? Traveling solo, female mid 30s.

like

Heard that some EY colleagues received H1B lottery selection notice in their email just now!

like

Does Pwc AC have onsite opportunities for Managers? Tech - Azure.

like

Hi Fishes,

Going through interview for Senior Data Analyst role -
Uber Hyderabad.

Skillset - Business Analytics & Intelligence, SQL, Python, Azure, Power BI

YOE - 5.6 | CCTC - 11 lpa | Counteroffer EY GDS - 18 lpa

Kindly provide any ballpark number/range of CTC at market standards for Uber for above profile?  Uber

Thanks in advance ;)

like

S&P Global Hello Fishers! Need your suggestion which company to choose!

YOE-2.3 Domain - Data Analytics

Offers - Pitney Bowes -16 LPA Fixed + 1.5 JB Tech stack- SQL + Power-BI + Thoughtspot+Qualtrics

S&P Global - 14 LPA Fixed + 5% variable + 1 JB Tech Stack-AWS + Python + Postgresql

IQVIA - 12.37 LPA Fixed + 1 LPA Variable Tech Stack-SQL+ EXCEL+ Tableau+ Python Guys need your help and suggestions. Deloitte EY Accenture KPMG Wells Fargo Barclays Bank of America Citi Walmart Microsoft Amazon PwC SAP

like

Heading to Tamarindo Costa Rica in a few months. Any tips ? 🙃

like

KPMG Internal Audit opening

Post Photo
like

Inspo please! Good low/mid heel shoes to go with light coloured dresses? Moved to a new city and my open toe heels aren’t as suitable

like

Has anyone recently joined bosch, how many days will be induction ?
Will they ask to collect laptop from office or will it be send to the current home address ?

like

Please suggest between two options for 8+ yrs exp. java microservices developer.

IBM band 7B (Senior system analyst)
Capgemini band C2 (senior consultant)

I am looking for long term association, probably for 3-4 years or more. My priorities are :
Job security > work culture > Appraisals

Please suggest with reasons.

like

Let me know if somebody looking for referrals for below attached skills in CGI

Post Photo
like

Any one recently received offer letter from Deloitte USI please respond I received the letter of intent with CTC break up 10 days back and still waiting for final offer letter How long did it take for you guys to receive the final offer letter? Deloitte USI

like

During interview I was speaking to the hiring manager. Felt interview was going well. He seemed impressed by my answers, excited by my skills, and even gave me a tour of the office. At the end, he asked about my home life. When I spoke of my 3 young kiddos, the manager got a little taken back and replied Oh you have children? I said yes ages 3, 5, and 7. He then proceeded to ask me about daycare arrangements and if I can be reliable. Red flag as his demeanor changed and made me feel unworthy.

likesmart

I had my PM 5 on-site interviews at Google yesterday! It was great except for my last interview. My estimation was maybe a 5/10. A few things happened: it was introduced with only 10 minutes, there was a surprise extra person shadowing, and my interviewer turned her camera and mic off twice turning that part of call. I wasn't sure if I should keep going or wait and late I day, I couldn't stop from being thrown. Is there any value in letting my recruiter know that the interview didn't go well?

like

What will be the take home salary for 9 LPA fixed?

like

Anyone been through the JP Morgan initial phone/recruiter interview? Any insights on questions asked?

like

AMEX caught up and is now charging me the fee for the platinum card. Anyone have any advice on which airline to use since they no longer reimburse gift cards? Don’t want to cancel, but $550 is a lot

Does anyone have experience of being hired externally in Canada as a UK citizen where visa sponsorship would be required? Or is the only route internal transfer?

like
like

Hi Fishes , can anyone refer me in EY GDS for this Job requisition ID 1178143 ?

like

Additional Posts in Creative Directors

Thoughts on the Mercedes Benz A-Class commercial??

what's the most overused hackneyed phrase in this industry? My number one is "authentic". "Our agency believes in the authentic" or "we have to stay authentic to the brand."

Would love any advise on who you suggest to help with writing for a cd resume.

like

What is the most efficient way to find full time opportunities as a CD or ACD? Broad question, but hitting a dead end after about 2 months and 3 interviews. Big confidence blow - imposter syndrome kicking in even with quite a strong portfolio with big name brands.

What am I missing — are we hitting recruiters up on LinkedIn, getting referrals?

like

Since becoming a CD, I feel like my time is purely administrative and managerial work. I don’t have any creative projects and only give feedback to my ADs/designers. Because of this I’m feeling really insecure about looking for a new job because I feel my skills have been lost. Any advice? Do you as CDs do a lot of creative work day to day?

like

Looking for a freelance account exec for a possible 6 month gig. Car experience a must, 10+yrs a must, strong agency experience & references a must. Please connect or sends names of those you’d hire!

How do I sell good work to a senior client whose single objective seems to buy triple extra safe stuff? The brand is amazing (🤴level) but they haven’t done anything great in over two years —>

Has anyone ever told you not to say that you’re a creative director? I work for a big agency and have been told that I shouldn’t say I’m a CD. I also look super young and am mistaken for a JR

like

Have you seen any cool / fresh takes on a montage spot lately? Looking for inspo.

What are some useful or enlightening questions to ask a client directly during a pitch briefing?

like

Do creative directors have to manage people?
I don’t like managing people, especially juniors who are still figuring out their career paths. But at my company, in order to be considered a leader, you have to manage people. I see myself as a leader, contributing ideas and strategy… I just don’t want to deal with developing performance goals and compensation. Is this the case everywhere? Can I be a creative leader without managing?

like

When you review a brief before teams get kicked off on an assignment, what are the things you look for? I have my things but I’d love to learn about what other CDs look for too.

like

Are any of you CDs that were promoted to GCDs at small to mid-size agencies where the creative department is not technically divided into groups? If so, what added responsibilities were assigned to you with the promotion?

I don’t work at a large agency with the traditional pyramid structure of a GCD having multiple CDs on specific accounts reporting to him/her. I work on 14 accounts.

like

Any headhunter suggestions for going in-house?

like

Was being Creative Director your life dream? What did you think you were going to be when you "grew up"?

like

What’s a good salary range for a Global CD -NYC?

like

How do you help younger teams think more critically about the work they bring to you? Especially when they often get paired with more senior creatives who end up picking up the slack for them. ...

like

I’m teaching some non-creative ad professionals a “concepting” class soon. Any insights or exercises you suggest that I share with the group?

How do you deal with low-energy team members? I have a small team, and I want to get them excited about the work we’re doing and can do. One team member is great but they don’t always have the same enthusiasm as the others and I don’t want them to A: feel excluded or B: bring the general energy down.

like

Weird questIon: As a leader, do you express anger at work, or do you consciously monitor your tone to remain professional? When I get unreasonable requests, especially in the middle of a packed day that doesn’t allow me to stop and take a breath, I find myself shooting back a blunt, sharp email that reads as more angry than I typically am. Then it bothers me for days that higher ups might be thinking poorly of me… even though those responses seem to get more results than the accommodating ones.

likehelpful

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal