What’s the fastest way to get a foot in the door at an ad agency? I’ve spent a lot of time studying copywriting and I’ve done some (not much) low stakes freelancing. I’ve been working in the service industry for a few years and it’s killing me. I need to get out.

The obvious answer is “have a good portfolio, know the right people.” But I’m hoping someone might have more substantial insight. What sort of spec can I do to stand out? Are there social events I can crash?

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

It's tough right now at almost every level. Even for people with the right folio and the awards you dream of, so have that in mind: it's not just you. That said, can you come up with ideas that get you some kind of press? A friend of mine, 7-8 years ago, bought all the media in a tube station for a day and filled it with cat pictures. That's worth an article at least. And WK thought it was worth an internship that got her hired in the end.

likeuplifting

She founded a small agency about 4 years ago and she's hired people even. I assume so.

Post Photo
likesmart

I deeply respect her opinion. When I saw this post on LI, I thought “uh-oh, maybe it really is that bad.”

Simple. Smart. Super cheap.
https://www.npr.org/2010/06/08/127564512/for-the-love-of-google-landing-a-job-with-search

likesmart

I have a cool self promotion idea that would turn heads, but I never executed it because I don’t need it. You can have it for the right price 😉

likefunny
Post Photo
funnylike

The best days of this industry are well behind us. I would encourage you to look to join VC-backed clients.

like

Do some of the student / young professionals awards briefs and win, go to Portfolio Night and other portfolio reviews (and make the portfolio changes / follow the advice of the people you want to be hired by), familiarize yourself with the best entry level portfolios and ask yourself genuinely if yours is comparable (VCU brandcenter and some other ad schools have their recent grads’ books online), same with junior portfolios at agencies you admire, reach out to creatives you admire for portfolio feedback, connect with them on LinkedIn, once you’re sure your projects are good post them occasionally on LinkedIn

like

Thank you!

like

Be the client.

like

Internship, contract work or personal contacts are the best to get you in the door from my experience.

like

Be related to a large client. 😉

like

Network with creatives. Find, reach out to, and get referred to, recruiters.

like

I think it helps to contact people on LinkedIn for informational interviews. You never know where it might lead. And you could start off at a smaller agency first and work your way to others.

Related Posts

Capgemini has below opening positions. Interested people can DM for reference.

Post Photo
like

Hi all! I’m looking to learn how to conduct AB tests- I don’t get an opportunity in my current role, but I want to be a product manager so I’ll need to learn. Any tips on how to practice this skill?

like

When the client presents your idea as their own.

Post Photo
likefunny

I am stranded in a foreign country, was traveling for personal reasons, because AA cancelled my flight citing weather concerns but is flying other flights at the same time. Is there a way for me to 1. Get an alternate flight that is not painful. 2. Escalate and get compensation? Thank you.

like

Men - do you try to get out of an argument/fight by pretending like nothing happened? Why so?

like

Hi Folks,
I have submitted my resignation on Aug11th. I received a mail very next day from HR saying salary willbe put on hold for reliving month and immediate previous month will be put on hold as FNF dues.
Now half of the people I asked saying I won't get salary for August as well and half saying i will get salary for August. Can anyone confirm on this?

What percentage of your monthly pay do you invest in the stock market? Complete noob trying to get started with investing. I already max out 401k and have a rainy day find in place.

like

I joined OPTUM today so how soon we can expect laptop and goodies.

like

Can Accenture re-release offer if not accepted in 7 days?Accenture

like

Fixed income vs Equity trading desk at BB? Why are trading desk at BB down year over year? Fixed income desks In particular! Future of trading leading to full automation?

like

The bond yield curve just inverted. If you don’t have to make any major purchases for the next year, that’s probably a good thing

like

Anyone have any favorite office decor or personal items? Trying to think of things to make my office less boring now that I'm going back in.

Feel free to share anything interesting that you've seen as well.

Currently thinking plants and potentially wall art.

like

Asked acct lead whether to include client contact's boss on a 3rd follow up to client contact who's super delayed on getting us materials for deliverable. He then proceeds to tell me...

like

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve said yes to at work?

like

My boss is always making last minute changes to my schedule. Adding shifts or asking me to cover for other people. Any advice on how to handle this? I want to be a team player but the last minute changes stress me out.

like

Does KPMG’s federal healthcare advisory practice get Veterans Day off?

Very new to this app. I start my new role as a contractor in the new year working for a large Global financial institution. Inside IR35 paying £900 pd. Looking to connect with other security contractors/consultants in the UK!

like

Does anyone work for Deloitte in the Ventures space or know someone who does? i’d love to have a chat

like

Additional Posts in Advertising

The agency I work at has been struggling for more than 1.5 years. A mass exodus ensued naturally. Do I stay or go too? I'm not that unhappy and things have to get better?

like

How do I be a decent manager to a coworker who's upset I've been promoted twice in two years and they haven't? We started out as coworkers, became decent friends after a few good moments, but went back to simply coworkers after they flubbed a few projects and I had to step in to clean up. I'm non-confrontational but year-end reviews are right around the corner and I'm worried about having to act professional to someone who I got too close with and who now hates me.

like

What’s the best agency to work at?

like

What was your most amazing day in advertising?

likeuplifting

Junior designer here looking to connect with some Philly-area shops— I’m from the area and have recently been trying to learn more about the local agency scene. Would love it if people could drop some names or even some recruiter info. Thanks!!

like

how many of you get high before/during work?

🙋🏻‍♂️

like

What’s it like working in Microsoft Advertising? Particularly interested to hear from people in product/engineering.

like

Didn’t know who the CCO is when I was asked about it in an interview... is there anything I can do to redeem myself? I feel like I really dropped the ball on this lol

likefunny

Why am I so bad at leaving voicemails. Anyone else have this problem?? Wtf is wrong with me 😭😭

like

If you got fired tomorrow, how long can you go without a paycheck? Assume you get 1 week of pay for every 6 months worked, and then can do unemployment after that ($425 a week)

like

A little over a year ago, I posted about my boss making constant comments about my salary. Most comments said I must not have been performing well. I want to update that he was fired, not me.

likeupliftingfunny

Looking for senior designers that knows shopper marketing. Please DM with books!

What's worse than sitting on hold with IT? Your neighbor being on hold with IT. On speaker phone. Full volume. There's a special place for these people...

like

New to IT B2B marketing. Any advice on how to educate myself with IT? Any classes, books, etc. that you recommend?

like

Agency producers- 3D animatic vs animatic vs boardomatic? Which medium do you think tests better in research?

like

Okay let's say I got a job in the marketing department at Netflix. Would it be a plus to have a company like them on my resume, or make it harder to get back into an agency later on?

like

Would you work 11-8 shift?

likefunny

As bad as my job may be, someone out there has to write an Effie entry for Weathertech

likefunny

Which portable standing desk converters do people have and recommend. I live in a tiny NYC apartment so use my dining table as the office during the day but need to put it away at night.

like

Anybody have success requesting to go from 100% on one account to 50/50 or at least floating around a bit more? Any tips welcome 🙏

like

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

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

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