Advertising is a fickle beast and because of this, those who depend on its bounty for their livelihood must be able to act with fluidity when it comes to change. Especially in the first five years of an advertising career. One must build a strong, diverse portfolio as well as a respectable resume. To ensure that the industry won’t first coddle you then turn around and gag you up slowly and painfully, like a knotted hairball, one must make the right decisions from the beginning. What constitutes a “good decision” in this context you may ask? The simple answer is that for the first few years it needs to be about the WORK. Once you have a sick-nasty portfolio you can be as stubborn and arrogant as it suits you. Of course, if your goal is not to be successful but instead, only to coast by then feel free to exit this blog immediately because you are “one of those”. For everyone out there who is interested in knowing what kinds of situations might arise that may require tough decision making on the obstacle course to success, follow me…
1. Career Path Curiosity. I get that creative individuals generally have an untamed curiosity about what they’re capable of, however, if your resume looks like a career collage of random undertakings then you going to be forever at the “beginning” of your job course. I can’t tell you how many resumes I see where under “experience” there is something like: 2003-2004 Account Executive – 2004-2005 Copywriter- 2005-2006 Art Director – 2006-Present Freelance. And I can’t help but think, “Yeah I bet you’re freelancing also frequently known as jobless.” Now, I will concede that in advertising today it is important to be a jack of all trades but that refers to directly RELATED trades. For instance, if you are an Art Director it is great to know traditional media in addition to interactive, guerrilla, and maybe even web programming. In any event, you should be a specialist in at least ONE of these areas whether it’s interactive or traditional media. Knowing a little bit about various somethings makes you unqualified for everything. So put the breaks on the ADHD and take a few days to consider what your actual strengths are. 2. Relocation. Everyone probably just shivered and then longingly looked out the window to gaze at the environment they’ve come to know so well. Well close the blinds people because that city isn’t going to let you stay in its furnished basement until you get back on your feet. And we both know you aren’t going back to live with your parents as long as your significant other has anything to say about it. I assume most creative hopefuls are aware that getting a job in this industry isn’t an easy task. So if an agency that produces great work in another city wants you to work for them you better jump on that band wagon and not look back. For behind you is the career equivalent of malaria. That’s right…malaria. I mean if you stay, sure, you’ll eventually get a job but it will be at some regional shop making brochures for Bob’s Electric and Murrey Motors. Do you really want the annoyance of local advertising on your hands? People would hate you more than the dentist you are promoting. Is that the life you want? I didn’t think so. Long story short, if an agency wants to hire you and their work will enhance not just enlarge your portfolio then you better start packing. 3. The uncontrollable desire to start a family. This is really a subset of the “relocation issue”. I know I know, you love each other and because of this you want to make little “yous” to drain your bank account and complicated any further life decisions you have to make. Got it. No one’s telling you that you can’t. What I am telling you is that your toddler’s life happiness is not going to be affected long term by removing him from Mrs. Rosie’s preschool class. Again, I want to remind that I am only talking about the first FIVE years of your career. I understand that once your children get to the age where they start remembering things they can hold against you then it is a whole different ball game. You are creatives for goodness sake; it should be second nature to get a group of people excited about something they never thought of before. When in doubt, take cues from the Partridge Family dad. Buy a cheap, old school bus, throw on some brightly colored graphic design, and tell your progeny that you’re starting a family band. Then, drive cross country in the two weeks you have before your start date singing show tunes and performing in malls, camp grounds, etc. Once you arrive at your destination tell them that you don’t want them to be too famous at a young age because your greatest desire is for them to have a normal childhood. In the end, they’ll thank you for all of your tender love and care as well as the adventure. And you’ll have an awesome new job.
Technorati Tags: Advertising, first five years, good decision, Career Path, Relocation, malaria, start a family, awesome new job
