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It's hard to say without entirely knowing your situation, but if they're anything like what I experienced, stick it out. Two months ago, I was prepared to take a much lower-paying job simply because I so badly wanted to get out of my agency. I was frustrated, miserable and people could tell. Someone finally pulled me aside and explained to me how my general attitude was inhibiting my success. At first I dismissed it because I felt my disgruntled state was valid given the poor projects and problems with my partner I was facing. When I noticed other juniors getting more interesting work I began to consciously change how I felt about the agency and my work. As I said, it's been two months, and I'm not only prouder of my work, I feel connected to coworkers who often ask me to assist on super interesting projects. MORAL: Maybe you're right to start looking elsewhere. Maybe you're nothing like me at all. But on the off chance we are at all similar, just consider what you can more readily change (yourself) before turning to solutions less directly in your control.
I would likely not consider a mid-level copywriter who left his/her first agency after less than a year unless there was an excellent and extreme excuse, like an abusive boss. Even then, I'd still see it as a red flag. Keep in mind if you find a new agency and it ends up being worse, you're stuck for a couple years. I would never hire anyone who jumped ship twice. I doubt anyone else here would.
Honestly, it's more on you to find opportunities to grow and learn and challenge yourself than it is the agency's.
When you have less than 12 months on the job, unless all you're being asked to do is bus tables, there are things you can learn and grow from in any agency.
Generally, I reward the people I see pushing themselves who demonstrate self-start, initiative and curiosity. If you leave because that level of trust is not being provided, the odds are it's more on your unwillingness to seek it out than your external environment.
There are about a million applicants with zero experience like you had, and agencies won't lose a minute of sleep about losing someone with under a year who wasn't "getting what they deserved."
I spent four years cutting my teeth at a D-list agency and now thrive at an A- list one. I guarantee I would not be where I'm at had I pulled the plug at the lower tier shop after less than a year.
#toughlove
Have you spoken to your manager about potential opportunities outside of your account or other ways you could contribute, if the day-to-day is starting to feel like a void? Or if they're not as hands-on as you'd like, have you tried to seek out another mentor? I assume you have, but if you haven't, exhaust all of your options before jumping ship, especially as a junior — and especially if you're leaving without producing at least one thing you're proud of (big or small). I'd also recommend sticking around a little bit longer because the more fruitful hiring season has already passed. You may get sucked into busy holiday work between now and January. February is a better time, right before most agencies start staffing for bigger spring and summer campaigns/needs.
As a junior, you definitely have to earn your stripes before you get to come up with the big ideas. 6 months is really not a long time! With that said, everyone should have a chance to speak up. Have you had a chat with your manager about what you want in your career? See if he/she can work with you to develop a plan and trust your gut. Everyone's going to tell you to stick it out for a year, but you know your situation best (coming from a fellow junior who stuck it out but still ended up having to leave).
Find some value. And realize life kind of sucks. Look for a new job after a year. Work harder.
What were you expecting after six months?
You're a Junior. Learn! Mess up on small projects before the big ones come across your desk. Learn how an agency works. Do some side projects. Ask to work on new business. It's a marathon not a sprint.
I left my first job after 10 months but only because I had a much better opportunity and I wasn’t able to grow at all in my old job. And almost nowhere asked me about it after. Just be sure to stay at your next place for at least a year, and have a good reason!
It took me four months before I was handed way more opportunities
All of this is true, buuut, if you want to jump, jump. I left my first job after a month bc I wasn't feeling it. Those things happen. I left my third job after three months bc I wasn't feeling it. Now I've been over two years at my agency I have been rewarded nicely. Those who say that they see jumping ships as a red flag or whatever, we probably don't want to work for you either way. That way of looking at work died 10 years ago.
If you see no possibilities...
Thanks everyone, this really helps!!
Not bad. I did this. Best move I ever made.
If it's just "meh", stay a bit longer & keep pushing to be heard. 6 more months will zip by fast enough. If it's soul crushing and you're not okay to stick it out any longer, seek a better fit. My first few were soul crushers, I jumped ship several times early on and it hasn't hindered me. just be ready to answer for why you did it.
Ignore all the stupid Tony Robbins shit and realize that mediocrity is what our industry is known for--most agencies suck and are run by absentee corporate landlords. Generally you should always spend a year at your first gig, no matter what. Don't waste your time working your fingers to the bone if there's nothing in it for you...just get a hobby or something and hit the market in jan when hiring picks up