Getting started in advertising

pokypoky

Hey, I'm just finishing a communications degree in DCU this year and to be honest the careers service is crap. Does anyone on here have any good advice on how to get a foothold onto that great golden ladder that is the advertising/PR business?

jrey1981

Get some kind of a portfolio together and look for an internship, graduate scheme / job, or some opening as a marketing or advertising volunteer with an NGO would be my advice.

smiaras

This post has been deleted.

pokypoky

smiaras wrote:

This post has been deleted.

There goes my hopes of being an advertising guru by the age of 22. So there's no hope of getting in at bottom of the business straight from communications?

shepthedog

I dont see why not, its all about getting your foot in the door with the right company... Have you approached any companies yet??
I would go see your college careers officer and see what advice they have.. Dont DCU operate a work placement/Co-Op scheme?? They must have contacts with Ad agencies..
Otherwise go directly to the agencies.. Perhaps the smaller ones might be more will to take a chance.. You gotta offer them something different.

vivakus

Here's some advise:

I started working in advertising directly after an arts degree.. I went from the production department, to account services and now I'm in creative all in a matter of three years. it's just about luck really. Spam your cv out to all the ad agencies in town, tell them you're really keen to get a job, in any department, and take it fromt here. Don't expect good pay or a client services position straight away but if you keep your head down and also move from company to company you can work your way up. Loads of people are moving right now, and there's quite a bit of flux in the industry so mow is a good time. Don't take on a poxy internship or grad scheme, make sure you get a proper job!

pokypoky

vivakus wrote:

Here's some advise:

I started working in advertising directly after an arts degree.. I went from the production department, to account services and now I'm in creative all in a matter of three years. it's just about luck really. Spam your cv out to all the ad agencies in town, tell them you're really keen to get a job, in any department, and take it fromt here. Don't expect good pay or a client services position straight away but if you keep your head down and also move from company to company you can work your way up. Loads of people are moving right now, and there's quite a bit of flux in the industry so mow is a good time. Don't take on a poxy internship or grad scheme, make sure you get a proper job!

In that case you can give me a job I make an amazing cup of tea! Thanks for the advice though its good to know theres good opportunities in the business.

pokypoky

I saw that website and its soooo confusing. Took me ages to work out what it did in the first place. What that site did for me was underline the importance of the advertising business, clear communication of messages.

StopGap

pokypoky wrote:

I saw that website and its soooo confusing. Took me ages to work out what it did in the first place. What that site did for me was underline the importance of the advertising business, clear communication of messages.

Totally agree .... what is that site about???

How to get in??
Write to all agencies is one thing but my advise is be creative and try to add value!! Mentioning all your features (degree, etc.) is one thing .... but what really counts are the benefits ......

In short: 1) write to all of them but 2) do it in a creative way (bog standard CV will not work they get hundreds a year) and 3) tell them what the benefits are for them if they give you a chance.

Good Luck.
Menno

www.StopGapMarketing.com