As I mentioned in my last blog, Creative Directors are a unique entity.  And like most things that confuse us, there is a formula to follow to illicit the correct or favorable response.  If you walk into a Creative Director’s place of residence, you will probably find a life-sized, Victorian portrait of himself hung with care above the mantel.  This is because they always want a reminder of how awesome they are and what better way to showcase said “awesomeness” than a superimposed ruffled collar and the illusion that he is a modern day King of Consumption.  Instead of “Let them Eat Cake” he is thinking, “Let them eat Cake, Kraft Brands, Godiva Brands, etc.” and the list goes on.  So, if you are about to have an interview with this Creative Director here is a list of do’s and do not’s to guide the way…

1. Do know everything about his/her career history.  He didn’t meditate in his zen room for 10 hours so those spots could go unnoticed.  Oh no, he wants to talk about himself and he wants to know you want to talk about him too.  When you are sitting there realizing HE was the one who wrote those annoying Enzyte commercials, guess what? As far he is concerned, you loved those damn commercials.  In fact, you started taking Enzyte yourself after “Bob” confidently showed his package at a neighborhood bbq.  And that smile on “Bob’s” face, definitely funny and not the creepiest thing you have ever seen.  NOTE: If you have a problem with stretching the truth here then maybe you should get out of advertising and become an activist trying to keep people like “Bob” off the streets.
2. Do not, under any circumstances bad mouth your last agency or any boss you have ever had to your new/potential employer.  And yes, that includes if your last boss was a drunk who frequently forgot his pants as he fell into his office and passed out for the first 3 hours of the day.  All you have to say is, “He inspired me to push my work further”, leaving out, “because I would rather kick kittens for a living than be like him”.  Creative heads of other agencies are their posse and even if they have never met your old boss, they know that he probably has a lava lamp and problems just like his.  If you do not heed this advice, you will become the enemy and they will assume that, if hired, you will likely be the leader of an unexpected coup d’etat. NOTE: I mean honestly, if you can’t sell yourself to him as a trustworthy individual then how are you going to sell their new pharmaceutical hair growth product that has “pending” FDA approval, as its lab testing may have been the catalyst for spawning the Sasquatch species.
3. Do ask thought provoking questions that display your knowledge of the industry.  Do not ask stupid questions or worse, sit there like one massive awkward pause.  Good questions are ones like: What clients are you looking to win in the near future?  Stupid questions go like: I heard you lost client X, who dropped that ball? Or Are there a lot of hot girls that work in this office?  Then there’s you, Master of Silence, for goodness sakes, SAY SOMETHING.  You are acting like you are a hostage in a POW camp.  If you were worried that if you spoke too much he would realize how weird you really are well too late buddy.  Your ear shattering silence and alert stare has given him that message.  I get that being on an interview is nerve racking but find a trusted friend, or at least one who you believe is weirder than you, and practice some key answers with them.  That way, when you go into your next interview the Creative Director won’t think you would benefit from social etiquette lessons from the Rainman.

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