A quick presentation on how to get a job in advertising, delivered to college students at the National Collegiate American Marketing Association confab in New Orleans, LA in 2007.

1. Getting a Job in Advertising
Tom Martin
President
Zehnder Communications

2. where are you
Google/Facebook/MySpace/Blogs
take’em down, make’em private or appropriate for a professional audience

3. where are you
Internet Tatoos
Actually had a candidate that had been on this show. Made an impression on everyone she talked to.
Unfortunately, not a good one.
The Internet makes your life, especially what you post/share permanent and searchable.

4. dot your i’s
and cross your t’s
spell my name correctly
spell your name correctly
visually appealing resume

5. know something
research your audience
folks you’ll meet
clients of the agency
advertising in general
have a point-of-view and share it

6. learn how to think
you’re not being prepared
college is teaching you to remember and regurgitate
advertising is about solutions not memorization
Consumers/Technology moving to fast -- what you’re learning
is already outdated by the time you learn it.

7. learn how to think
need critical thinkers
Agencies
practice
bring with you
You’ll be a doer, but I’m looking for a thinker

8. say thanks
don’t send an email
voicemail (after hours)
hand written note
reference stuff from interview
correct stumbles
continue to follow up -- but don’t annoy

9. good luck
Tom Martin
President
Zehnder Communications