It’s that time of year when Graduates and Schoolies have almost had enough of their holidays or run out of money, and are turning their minds to getting a job.
Having just ploughed through 180+ CVs for a position we’re looking to fill, I thought it might help to offer my top 10 tips to anyone out there trying to make the shortlist and get a foot in the door of an ad agency.
1. Read the job advertisement to see what the employer is asking you for. It could well be a test. There’s a reason why we’d ask an interactive designer to provide an online portfolio. If you’re asked to provide a cover letter, do it. It’s a great snapshot of who you are, it tells the reader whether you’re capable of putting a sentence together, and it also says that you can follow instructions.
2. Make it easy for the reader. Be succinct in your response. Your CV could be number 77 in the list and after a while they can all look the same.
3. If you claim to have excellent attention to detail, then prove it. Proof read every part of your application. Get someone literate to read over your application before you send it. They might pick up that you were a barista at Gloria Jeans, rather than a member of the legal fraternity. Or that you’re well-mannered and not well manured.
4. The reader wants to think that their job is the only one you want. So don’t send generic applications – tailor it to the role and the employer.
5. I’m not a big fan of putting photos in a CV. Probably best to leave that as a mystery, unless you’re prepared to be profiled on first glance. If you feel you must, steer away from the one of you half cut at a night club with your mates.
6. Your email address can define you, for better or worse. hotchickybabe@…. or bighandsmean@…. might be appealing to your social group, but are a turn off in a professional context.
7. Use positive language and don’t point out negatives to the reader e.g. ‘although I don’t have experience…..’
8. Tell the reader what they want to hear. At this early stage, the employer is more interested in what you can do for them rather than what they can do for you. Avoid disclosing your travel plans, salary expectations, or the fact that you’d like to gain as much knowledge from this job and then move on.
9. Beware the agency’s gatekeeper. Receptionists are very powerful. If you ring through to speak to someone and you sound slovenly, pushy, or rude, rest assured, this will get passed on. First impressions count. Always.
10. Do not under any circumstances use a smiley face or other emoticon. You’re communicating with a business, not your best friend.
Above all, you need to convince a prospective employer that you’re smart, you’re keen, you’re a can do person and you want this job.
Ok, so now go out and get it!
Gillian Tucker is BCM’s Agency Manager
Thank you for your advices Gillian!
I disagree, the g-mail crab emoticon screams gung-ho business gure.
Also, spell ‘guru’ wrong, especially if you’re going for a job as a copywriter.
Nice one Gilli. Some great advice, and some scary recollections of past applicants that I KNOW are true! It is indeed astonishing to see how quickly some prospects crucify themselves from the first contact they make with a potential employer. It’s a real waste, when often there is a person of substance and quality hidden behind such mistakes. And yes, it blows my mind how many ‘Copywriters’ send in applications with poor spelling and grammar. Even senior pros. (I’m now so paranoid I’ve proof read this 6 times!)
The only other ‘no-no’ I’ll add in specific relation to job applicants for ‘creative’ roles is this; For your sake, please BE creative! Your application should not look like a neat, formulaic Word document seeking a role as a legal intern. If you are in the business of making brands and messages STAND OUT with creativity… then show it. You’d be surprised how little it takes to get noticed and remembered. (And I don’t mean using Comic Sans with every letter playfully punctuated in a different colour.)
I definitely give more of my attention to an applicant who has clearly made an effort to shine. After getting past that ‘first base’ stage though, a quality folio of work demonstrating a clever mind is a must. That’s the ticket to the ballgame.
Gillian
This should be posted on Seek, as general advice for job seekers. Also for those who snigger at the examples Gillian has given, as Nick pointed out they are real examples of actual applications the agency has received.
Number 6 & 9 are definitely important. 9 especially as we have THE BEST Gatekeeper!
Mind you, I’d personally be intrigued to sit in on an interview with hotchickybabe@ & bighandsmean@ ……
Had a long couple of days looking at bad CVs, Gilly? Those examples are so on the money, it makes me laugh! Would love it if applicants took your advice but this has been going on for years. Applicants wonder why they don’t get a foot in the door… Maybe it’s got something to do with their first impression… Bad!!
How can we not mention the applicant who had hotel experience in, “food penetration”.
Phew!