Question

Topic: Career/Training

Working For An Adv. Agency?

Posted by Anonymous on 11/24/2008 at 1:25 PM ET 250 Points
I am graduating from college, with a marketing degree, this December. I will be relocating from Minnesota to Denver, CO. My goal is to secure an entry-level account executive position (I.E. not the creative side) at an agency.

Many of the "entry-level" positions I have found require 3-4 years "quality agency experience." I do have 2 years experience in B2B technology sales and another 3 years of experience in sales elsewhere.

What advice would you offer me in terms of how I can get the experience needed to work for an agency?

I have asked this same question on another forum and was told to put together a portfolio.

What can I possibly put in a portfolio without experience?

I understand that it is very difficult to get into the door of an adv agency especially, without agency experience.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and feel free to add anything else that you would like to share.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 11/24/2008 at 1:37 PM Member
    I'm confused - are you looking for a marketing position or a sales position? If it's sales (which seems to be where your experience is), you can't really ever have a portfolio.

    Your five years' experience with sales coupled with a marketing degree should make you an excellent candidate for sales at an ad agency. Go ahead and apply for jobs that "require four years of agency experience"; I've rarely seen job postings that didn't also consider candidates with commensurate/other relevant experience.

    If you get no response, you might want to consider a different approach for your entry-level job, though - perhaps a PR agency or creative marketing agency where you might have another job title at first, but work your way around to Account Executive.

    The good news is that with this economy almost everyone is hiring good sales people. Good luck in your search!
  • Posted on 11/24/2008 at 1:53 PM Author
    Sarah thank you for your help.

    To answer you question, I am not looking for a "sales position." I turned down a 45k/yr + commission position where I currently work. I included that in my question to show that I have experience in a professional environment and that I did not wait tables throughout college.

    I know that I am good at sales. I have out-performed my sales team while working half the hours. You are absolutely right about the economy though; everyone is hiring for sales. My fear is: I will settle for a sales position and get used to the money. This will make very difficult to make the transition from sales to mktg.

    I hope that clarified my position and thanks again for your help Sarah!
  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 11/24/2008 at 10:04 PM Member
    I know this is going to sound hokey, but I feel like you should sell your way into an interview for the position of your choice.

    But, once you get there be prepared to answer a tough question with some authority... Why would you be interested in leaving your past "big money" sales job to become a marketeer? Most people suspect there is another missing part of the story when people say, I am giving up money to chase my dream.
  • Posted on 11/25/2008 at 11:31 AM Member
    Have you done any volunteer work or student work that you can present in a portfolio format? Did you work with the marketing department to develop the sales and marketing goals at your last job?

    In any case, quantifying your results to actively demonstrate your professionalism and effectiveness will help HR to hone in on those qualities. Make sure you draw connections and emphasize your qualities that will transfer to this new area: CRM, communication skills, project management, etc.
  • Posted on 12/1/2008 at 12:06 PM Author
    Thank you all for taking time out of your day to share your suggestions and helping to shed some light on my situation. I found many of your thoughts very enlightening. It is intersting that many of you suggested that I not pay so much attention to the "requirements" and just go for it.

    Thank you again and as they say in Latin America, "Vaya Con Dios!"

    Sincerely,

    Joshua
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