Big Adventures
Friday, August 21, 2009
Interview Messups, Case Study #3
Tip #3 - Make sure you send HR the right documents
Mindshare Interview, Spring '09, Austin, TX
HR: Rebecca, before we start, I noticed your cover letter was addressed to Ogilvy
Me: What??
Turns out I have no idea how to work the Application Website. Whoops.
Long story short, thankfully the interview went well regardless. ¶ 5:12 PM 0 Comments
Mindshare Interview, Spring '09, Austin, TXHR: Rebecca, before we start, I noticed your cover letter was addressed to Ogilvy
Me: What??
Turns out I have no idea how to work the Application Website. Whoops.
Long story short, thankfully the interview went well regardless. ¶ 5:12 PM 0 Comments
Interview Messups, Case Study #2
Another tip from my vault of embarrassing interviews:
Tip #2 - Research the agency thoroughly. No, more thoroughly than that...
JWT Interview, Spring '09, New York, NY
HR: So, Rebecca, your resume looks good and you are qualified. Where do you see yourself fitting into this agency?
Me: Well, as part of the TexasMedia program, I'm really interested in Media Planning
HR: JWT doesn't have a Media department. We outsource everything to Group M.
Me: Ah, I see (foot in mouth).
JWT is very prestigious, so naturally I researched them a lot before the big day. Not enough, apparently... Unbeknownce to me, a lot of the major holding companies (WPP, Omnicom, IPG, Publicis) have a strong Media-Only arm, and the rest of their agencies handle the creative/interactive/planning/etc.
Truth is, even navigating an agencies' website isn't enough to tell you whether or not they have a media department. It's important to also peruse the trade pubs to make sure you know what you're up against. Especially helfpul is the Ad Age Agency Family Tree. It's currently hanging on my wall.
Tip #2 - Research the agency thoroughly. No, more thoroughly than that...
JWT Interview, Spring '09, New York, NYHR: So, Rebecca, your resume looks good and you are qualified. Where do you see yourself fitting into this agency?
Me: Well, as part of the TexasMedia program, I'm really interested in Media Planning
HR: JWT doesn't have a Media department. We outsource everything to Group M.
Me: Ah, I see (foot in mouth).
JWT is very prestigious, so naturally I researched them a lot before the big day. Not enough, apparently... Unbeknownce to me, a lot of the major holding companies (WPP, Omnicom, IPG, Publicis) have a strong Media-Only arm, and the rest of their agencies handle the creative/interactive/planning/etc.
Truth is, even navigating an agencies' website isn't enough to tell you whether or not they have a media department. It's important to also peruse the trade pubs to make sure you know what you're up against. Especially helfpul is the Ad Age Agency Family Tree. It's currently hanging on my wall.
Labels: Ad Age Family Tree, Comedy, job hunt
¶ 2:35 PM 0 Comments
Interview Messups, Case Study #1
You hear a lot of what to do and what not to do when going to an interview. Here are some tips that come from my highly unfortunate experience.
Tip #1: Get a hobby. A real hobby.
Boss: So, Rebecca, what do you do in your spare time?
Me: Well, I really like to cook. I've especially gotten good at "dorm cooking" - frozen vegetables and canned tomatoes. It's delicious!
Boss: Oh. I'm a cook, and I don't exactly consider that cooking...
I completely forgot that although to college kids, frozen and canned food is considered cuisine, the "adult world" doesn't share the sentiment. Whoops. Luckily, I made up for this blunder with my experience and positive attitude, and ended up getting the Media Buying Internship. I have since developed a love of traveling, which HR Generalists see as a much more legitimate pastime. ¶ 11:27 AM 0 Comments
Tip #1: Get a hobby. A real hobby.
Boss: So, Rebecca, what do you do in your spare time?
Me: Well, I really like to cook. I've especially gotten good at "dorm cooking" - frozen vegetables and canned tomatoes. It's delicious!
Boss: Oh. I'm a cook, and I don't exactly consider that cooking...
I completely forgot that although to college kids, frozen and canned food is considered cuisine, the "adult world" doesn't share the sentiment. Whoops. Luckily, I made up for this blunder with my experience and positive attitude, and ended up getting the Media Buying Internship. I have since developed a love of traveling, which HR Generalists see as a much more legitimate pastime. ¶ 11:27 AM 0 Comments
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Advertising and Unemployment
¶ 12:30 PM 0 Comments
Recenlty, PleaseFeedTheAnimals, a blog for the recenlty unemployed advertising professional, released a trailor for a new movie they are producing, called Lemonade. It's an inspiring documentar of what laid off professionals have done with their time now that they are no longer in the biz:
This, of course, is another way to go about unemployment (note his hat):
¶ 12:30 PM 0 Comments
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Blah Blah Recession Blah
Surprise surprise, "the recession" is a hot topic right now. I would say it pops up or in at least 2 conversations a day... probably I'm about to graduate and desperately crawl on my hands and knees for a job.
Truth is, though, I don't necessarily think this ominous recession is such a bad thing.
Yes, growing unemployment lines are unfortunate, and it's sad to see desolate malls. However, I think this has been a bit of a wake up call, forcing big to become more efficient and competitive. When behemoth companies stop caring about micro-efficiency, their business model lose their efficacy, and they become flawed. I honestly see this as plague that is ravaging those who have become to lax. Those who work to develop immunities towards it will be better off in the long run. Those who work harder to develop their skill sets will get hired, and those who provide a better product will stay in business.
It's about time. ¶ 7:30 PM 0 Comments
Surprise surprise, "the recession" is a hot topic right now. I would say it pops up or in at least 2 conversations a day... probably I'm about to graduate and desperately crawl on my hands and knees for a job.Truth is, though, I don't necessarily think this ominous recession is such a bad thing.
Yes, growing unemployment lines are unfortunate, and it's sad to see desolate malls. However, I think this has been a bit of a wake up call, forcing big to become more efficient and competitive. When behemoth companies stop caring about micro-efficiency, their business model lose their efficacy, and they become flawed. I honestly see this as plague that is ravaging those who have become to lax. Those who work to develop immunities towards it will be better off in the long run. Those who work harder to develop their skill sets will get hired, and those who provide a better product will stay in business.
It's about time. ¶ 7:30 PM 0 Comments
Friday, July 17, 2009
Job Postings
It has recently come to my attention that there are several fabulous jobs open in New York / Austin. I will be sending most of these out in the TAG Email within the coming weeks. However, because I know the majority of those who read my blog are starving students, I want to give you a sneak peak. Good Luck!
Texas:
EnviroMedia Social Marketing, Fall Internships
The Davis Group, Fall Internships
Communication Career Services, Internship
Apogee Search, Digital Marketing Internship
Texas Department of Agriculture, Marketing Internship
Q1 Media, Interactive Internship
Lee Tilford, Copywriter
New York:
The Longitude, Web Development & Strategy Interns
CollegeHumor, Programmer
CollegeHumor, Illustrator
OMD New York, Assistant Media Planner
Here is another great source to help you out.
Edit: Already interning? Get yourself some free muffins
Texas:
EnviroMedia Social Marketing, Fall Internships
The Davis Group, Fall Internships
Communication Career Services, Internship
Apogee Search, Digital Marketing Internship
Texas Department of Agriculture, Marketing Internship
Q1 Media, Interactive Internship
Lee Tilford, Copywriter
New York:
The Longitude, Web Development & Strategy Interns
CollegeHumor, Programmer
CollegeHumor, Illustrator
OMD New York, Assistant Media Planner
Here is another great source to help you out.
Edit: Already interning? Get yourself some free muffins
Labels: Advertising, job hunt, muffins, tech
¶ 12:26 PM 0 Comments
