It is rather staggering to be reminded that I’m going to start looking at full-time job applications in a little over 5 weeks. CRAZY! I’ll be honest, it is getting hard to resist visiting job pages and career portals to view the open positions when I know I shouldn’t. I’m weeks away from graduation and it is silly to get myself infatuated with a job I can’t apply for or be disappointed when I don’t see a job posted for a company I like. Instead I’ve decided to focus my attention toward APPLICATION TRAINING!
Yes, I’m training just like Rocky! I am confident these 7 training decisions will pay off big when I start my applications and interviews.
Reading the Trades
A critical part to any interview is the demonstration that you’re knowledgable about the industry in which you are pursuing a career in. Trade publications like Ad Age and Advertising Week, offer great insight to what is going on in the advertising industry. Everything from news about creative reviews and new marketing technology to awesome current campaigns and agency staffing changes. Even though I do spend a decent amount of my time skimming the many advertising trade publication sites, I will be paying close attention to a few specific article categories including:
Who is winning business
Agencies who are winning awards
Use of new technology
Creative campaigns
This knowledge will provide useful for application essay and interview questions involving comprehension of the industry as it exists at the moment as well as knowledge regarding which agencies might be hiring.
Getting to Know You
There are hundreds of thousands different advertising agencies around the world. Not only is it important to find ones that will be hiring but also find ones that will be a good match for me. This involves researching what their ideologies are, what their goals are, what kind of clients they work with etc. This information will guide me as I put together a list of possible companies to apply to. If and when I get the opportunity to apply or even interview for them, more extensive research can then commence.
Working It Out
I hate to admit this, but advertising is very much a visual industry where employees are paid well and care for themselves mentally and physically. Not that I think the business is shallow, but physical appearance is definitely connected to how people view success. Many people believe that physically unhealthy people are less productive, miss work more often and do not perform as well. Over the next few weeks I will do my best to maintain a healthy “diet” and exercise regularly to keep my stress level low and my physicality in tip-top shape.
Lookin’ Goooood
This includes updating my resume, and my LinkedIn profile. It is also allocating time to cleaning up my online presence. A simple Google search will reveal what potential employers can see about me. My mission is to make sure none of that is bad.
Reading, Watching and Learning
I’m more than just a college student pursuing a degree. I have hobbies, thoughts and knowledge of stuff outside the confines of my career aspirations. That’s very important to hone in on and demonstrate while applying. Employers want to seek out well rounded employees that have ideas and outside interests. Over the next few weeks I’m planning to
Read 3 books (2 fiction + 1 nonfiction) for pleasure
Watch Ted Talk videos
Make 1 new recipe a week
Vist Mashable.com and Buzzfeed.com daily
All in hopes of expanding my knowledge and passion for the things I love and want to learn more about.
Making Connections
Over the past four years I’ve made MANY connections with people in the field of advertising and marketing. These connections will hopefully prove handy when I try to get a job. The next few weeks will included getting in contact with my connections to seek out any assistance with the job search.
Relax!
The most important thing is to remember just to BREATHE! This process can be stressful but if I just stay calm and I put forward my best effort, then all I can do is hope for the best.
Marissa Osowsky 