Here you are, fresh out of a 4-year (or 5-year, or 6-year) college degree, where you have likely spent a good chunk of time playing beer pong or cutting up sheets for a toga party. And now, you are expected to be a fully-fledged, functioning member of society. Where do you even begin? While not everyone is going to have the same run of luck that I have had, below are my tried and true tips on kicking down the door to my dream advertising job.
-Get an internship: With zero real world experience and a lot of procrastination, I finally gave in to an unpaid internship during my last semester of college. But let me tell you, internships are the BEST! I wish I had done 100 more. Well, maybe not 100. But, with the ability to ask limitless questions in a low-risk position, my internship opened my eyes to the world of marketing and gave me the fuel I needed to pursue a career.
-Polish your resume: This is your first impression, the window into the soul of what you have accomplished in life. While I had less than a year of marketing experience under my belt when I applied for Penna Powers, previous positions, while maybe not in the field you’re seeking, may bring skills that can translate. For example: Retail experience? Honed in my customer service capabilities. Camp counselor? Adapted problem-solving techniques while supervising. Include volunteer work, relevant courses, important experience. Again, during my last semester of college (I was late to the over-achiever game), I joined our University’s chapter of the American Marketing Association and added that, too, to my resume.
-Take advantage of everything your University has to offer: Utilize your advisors, search through job listings, network with professors and classmates. My advisor was a huge help in reaching out to companies that I was interested in. My business-writing professor wrote me an amazing letter of recommendation. These relationships are key when you are transitioning out of your college career.
-Apply, apply, apply… then interview, interview and interview some more: The fact of the matter is, you are going to be shot down for jobs that you think you are perfect for, you are going to be offered positions in companies where you just don’t fit and a lot of times, you won’t even get a call back for an application that you thought was flawless. I spent hours of my finals week masterfully crafting the perfect presentation for an entry-level job that I didn’t want at a company I idealized. After making it through two rounds of questionnaires and portfolios, I didn’t even get an interview. As soul crushing as that was, I am a firm believer that when one door closes three more open. So, I applied for three more jobs. And three more after that.
-Be persistent with the companies that you want to work for: Develop a repertoire over email or on the phone, and continually express an interest in what you are applying for. Tell them why you will be the best person for the job.
-And finally, weigh your options, be flexible, and always keep your eyes open: While my dream was to work for a well-known ad agency, my first job out of college was as an independent assistant for a woman who did freelance marketing. While, at the time, this wasn’t the most optimal job for me, I gained valuable real-world experience and got to learn and grow in a one-on-one environment. Ultimately, this was what led me to Penna Powers. I started here as a part-time employee and (apparently) proved my worth for a full-time position.
When all is said and done, the most you can do is put yourself out there and try your best. After a 4-month social internship, 5-months in a small firm, and 3 months as a part-time Social Media Coordinator, I am now 1 month in to the best job I’ve ever had. Best of luck to you all!
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