The advertising industry is a fun, social and fairly lucrative business to work in, especially for those just starting out in their careers. It offers a lot of opportunity in terms of developing a varied skill set and it also enables you to be exposed to lots of different types of businesses through a lot of client contact. As an industry, it is also pretty open to employing brand new graduates and training them up. Over time you will discover that tight client fees often make this a necessity but in the meantime you're learning heaps and getting invited to a lot of social functions with free beer and entertainment so who's complaining! Not surprisingly, as an industry it is heavily skewed to the under 40's. Most people move on to other pastures by that time if they haven't made it to CEO.

How to get in to the advertising business
Advertising is a competitive industry but it very much depends on what role you are applying for. It can be tougher to get in to account management and creative roles but there are other departments that are easier to get started in. Agencies rarely advertise in newspapers (classified ads will only ever have vacancies for advertising sales roles in media companies). If you want to get in to an agency start reading the trade journals, get signed on with specialist recruitment agencies that serve the industry in your area and start writing to the CEO's/MD's of all the agencies with a clever letter. Also, make the most of contacts. This is an industry that rewards ingenuity and initiative so show that you have what it takes and pick up the phone to talk your way in for an interview. If you show some spark, they may be interested even if they don't have a job already lined up.

What qualifications do you need?
A large percentage of those employed in advertising have degrees.You do need to demonstrate that you have the ability to talk and present in an articulate and knowledgeable way with clients. There is also a fair amount of report and document writing so you'll need to have good writing skills. This does not mean it's impossible to get in if you don't have a degree, you'll just have to work harder to prove you have the ability. A degree is shorthand for intelligence with lazy recruiters! If you are applying to be a copywriter or art director you will need qualifications that are relevant to those roles. Account managers, media planners, strategists etc usually need a degree but the degree subject is not particularly relevant. I have recruited graduates in an agency with communications degrees who are at no particular advantage. They understand it quicker but their theoretical knowledge does not guarantee career success.

What gets you ahead in advertising?
Advertising is a very personality driven business and it attracts a lot of extroverts. Those that succeed are not only intelligent, they are 'people people', they have a lot of self confidence, they are not afraid to share their opinions and they work hard. Do not apply if you are not prepared to work through the nights and weekends if a big pitch presentation requires it. Advertising is the epitomy of the 'work hard, play hard' philosophy so you need to be able to handle the stress as well as your alcohol!

Learn more about this author, Elaine Seager.
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