You’re about to go into an advertising interview. What are the key things you need to know?

"Qual é o nome da agência mesmo?". E foi assim que come?ou uma das entrevistas aqui na agência. Nem preciso falar que n?o deu certo, n?o é mesmo? Quando você vai participar de um processo seletivo, a li??o número um é estudar e pesquisar muito sobre a empresa. E tem alguns fundamentos importantes por trás disso: 1. Mostrar que você é a pessoa certa para a vaga. Quando você sabe um pouco sobre a empresa, passa a sensa??o de envolvimento. Que a pessoa faz quest?o. 2. Curiosidade é fundamental. N?o tem mais como contratar alguém de comunica??o que n?o seja curioso. N?o saber nada, é sensa??o que você recebeu um convite e nem se interessou em saber quem é. 3. Conex?o Quando você entende o negócio do cliente, a conversa flui diferente.

Agency Deep Dive: Understand their mission, vision, values. Know Their Work: Familiarize yourself with their key clients, standout campaigns, and any industry awards. Analyze: Identify their strengths and weaknesses. Consider the challenges they might be facing. Market Position: Grasp how they stand out in the advertising landscape. Tailor Your Pitch: Align your answers and examples to resonate with their culture and needs. Show you’re not just there to get a job, but to become part of their success story.

If you are hosting a meeting at an agency, be sure to look at the client list. It helps to bring donuts from Dunkin to the agency that does advertising for Dunkin. Also - be aware of the branding your are representing. For example, I drove to a Nissan commercial shoot IN a Nissan. The clients remember you be conscious of the brand you are helping to advertise.

Role Responsibilities: Get clear on what the job entails. Skills & Expectations: Know what competencies and qualities they're looking for. Performance Metrics: Understand how success is measured in this role. Agency Fit: See how the role aligns with the agency's structure and goals. Show Your Worth: Share relevant achievements and experiences. Unique Contribution: Highlight how you can add value to their team and projects.

The best thing you could do in this situation is to talk to someone currently IN the role you are trying to understand so you can get an overview of the responsibilities.

Read the trades. This would include Adweek, Advertising Age, Shoot, Shots, Little Black Book out of London. If you see a commercial you like, note the product then Google some general information about it. Even better - get a subscription to The Source Creative so you can look through the credits to the commercial advertising you like. Then you can cross reference with your LinkedIn to see who you know or who you might be connected to.

Trends & Channels: Stay updated on emerging advertising mediums and technologies. Best Practices: Know the industry standards and regulations. Challenges & Opportunities: Understand what issues the industry faces and where the potential for innovation lies. Show Curiosity: Demonstrate your interest and adaptability in navigating the evolving advertising landscape. Industry Knowledge: Display a comprehensive understanding of advertising dynamics. Creativity & Problem-Solving: Highlight your ability to think outside the box and tackle industry challenges head-on.

Self-Awareness: Clearly articulate your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses. Passions & Values: Share what drives you and what you stand for in your professional life. Track Record: Highlight key achievements and what you've learned from past challenges. Personal Brand: Convey a clear and compelling narrative about who you are and what you bring to the table. Communication Skills: Speak confidently and listen attentively. Curiosity: Ask insightful questions that show your interest in the role and the agency.

Objectives & Results: Detail the goals and outcomes of your projects. Creative Execution: Showcase the concepts, designs, and messages behind your campaigns. Team Dynamics: Describe your role and how you collaborated within your team. Pride & Preparation: Present a portfolio that highlights your best work and demonstrates your capabilities. Process Insight: Explain the thought process, strategy, and any iterations your work went through. Feedback & Learning: Share how feedback influenced your projects and what you learned from each experience.

Going into an interview, you should always be prepared with a few questions. These can range from job specific questions to organization/culture questions. This will show interest, demonstrate you have "done your homework" and help you stand out. Think about not only the immediate effects of a getting this job but what are things down the line you want to know. This is the chance that the company not only gets to decide if you are a right fit but YOU get to decide if you would enjoy working there.

Be differentiated. Think that the interviewer will talk to dozens of people and only one will get the job. In general, a smile on your face and a sparkle in your eyes will help break the ice. Tell your experience in a light and relaxed way and, above all, try to understand the company's main bottlenecks and say how your experience can help resolve the challenges. Good luck!

Also, think on this: stepping into an advertising interview? It’s like prepping for a big show. Know the agency’s greatest hits—their top campaigns and clients. Get the vibe of their culture; are they rockstars or jazz enthusiasts? Brush up on the latest industry trends, like the new social media platform everyone's using. Have a portfolio of your best work, ready to show off your solo skills. And think about questions that show you’re ready to jam with them. It’s all about proving you’re ready to be part of the band.