Candidates… we love you. We simply would not have jobs without you. We will do most anything for you. We will connect you with amazing opportunities. We will talk you through interview hardships. We will get you as much money as possible. That being said, we beg you to be realistic with your requests.

Ad agencies have standards. They have very specific salary ranges for each position. Like most companies, they require you to work certain hours. They provide you with an exact number of vacation days that you’re allowed to use. They expect you to work your butt off.

Oftentimes, we speak with candidates that have a rather lengthy list of requirements in order for them to accept a job. We’ve gotten down to the offer stage only to run into a crazy wish list from a candidate who says that the agency needs to meet his requirements before he can accept a job. Some past requests have included: telecommuting 3-4 days/week, coming into work at 10am daily in order to attend yoga classes, ridiculous profit/stock sharing, leaving at 4pm every day to pick up the kids, 4-5 weeks of vacations, free tickets (airline, concert) depending on the agency’s accounts. No, I’m not kidding.

Let’s get something straight. Neither you, nor I, are a rock star. I wish we were. I really do. But until that day arrives, we must surrender to the expectations of the advertising industry. Ad agencies are full of employees that work above and beyond the normal 9-5. You probably don’t even see daylight sometimes. Unfortunately, this is what you signed up for. They can’t just bend the rules because your favorite Bikram yoga class is only offered at 9am. I promise you that an agency can find someone with your skill set who doesn’t have completely impractical requests.

I’m a big advocate of careers in the advertising industry. Hopefully, you are too. But if you don’t feel that you can adhere to standard job guidelines, perhaps you should start exploring alternative career paths. I hear that yoga instructors have pretty undemanding schedules.

Technorati Tags: Candidates, agency, rock star, expectations of the advertising industry, standard job guidelines