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How long were you an SAE before promoting to AS?
Hi AMs, Cramer (experiential marketing agency) is hiring for Account Directors and Account Managers. In office 3 days a week. Links below to the job openings!
Account Director (Hybrid) https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3044834981 Account Supervisor (Hybrid) https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/2998231407 Account Manager (hybrid) https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3047386705
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For an SAE? Could be anywhere from 1-3 years honestly. It really depends on your agencies expectations. But typically for an SAE, I’d want to see them stepping up as the account lead and starting to think more strategically before promoting them. If you’re already doing that and your agency isn’t promoting you, I don’t think it’s bad to jump ship for a position with more opportunities for you. Some agencies just aren’t as focused on professional development. I wouldn’t necessarily look at someone in an SAE position whose been in it for a while as a bad thing when hiring for a new role, so long as they can show they’re ready for more responsibility.
Just remember that everyone develops at different levels and rates and once you start hitting SAE and higher, there’s higher expectations that you need to hit in order to move up
If you have been in this position for 3-5 years with no hint of advancement, then note that in a cover letter or application as your reason for "jumping ship." Your potential employers will understand that. Have verifiable facts to support that your company does not have many promotion opportunities -- if that is the case. If other SAEs with as much or less experience are routinely promoted, then you will need to have a different explanation for the lack of advancement -- office politics, good-old-boy network, etc.
Dirty not so secret reality. Promotions are based on needs/open slots NOT merit.
If you work at a big network agency, they will understand on your next gig. Everyone knows that promotions are tied to money, and agencies in networks are controlled by the allocated money for promotions and it’s less based on deserving talent and more on timing and volume of people in the pool for a promo.
Take a strong approach in your performance review. Save all the exceptional good feedback emails from clients, get the job description of an Account Supe from HR, and write examples of actions you’re already performing under that title/description.
The one thing I’ll tell you more than anything else, you have to fight for yourself. Prove proactively you’re qualified, keep showing (not just telling) that you are with proof. Squeaky wheel gets the oil.