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After a 15 year career in advertising, followed by a 10 year career scouting talent for some of the world's most respected creative brands, Heidi conservatively estimates she has been told over 15,000 stories.
Many of those stories began in frustration and ended in success, some of them were sad, others were shocking, a few were OH-MY-GAWD hysterical, but the ones she likes to remember are the ones that were the most inspirational.
While she can never repeat the specifics of most of them, she learned something from all of them.
To ask your question click here or learn from someone else's story by reading the submissions below.
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| 15th August 2008 |
| Dear Heidi,
First of all thanks for the many enlightening replies you've given to other queries that I've read & absorbed. I'm a 21-year-old junior writer & I'd like some guidance on how to respond to a headhunter's offer or an offer from another agency, whether or not I'm taking them up on their proposal.
See, a month-plus ago I was called up by a headhunter (who would only give me his first name & nothing else, and whose number did not appear on my cellphone). He knew a bit of my background and asked if I was interested in an opening for a copywriter. He wouldn't say which agency either.
Anyway it turns out they were looking for a senior & I have less than 2 years' experience in the industry, so...he did not call me back.
And then recently a creative director from Bozell Worldwide rang me to enquire if I was interested in coming over. I ended up declining (most politely and stating quite clearly that I am always open to future opportunities) because a) I had just started getting comfortable with the agency I'm working for and b) I would like to beef up my portfolio a bit more before I seek out fresh pastures. I have yet to win a medal and it's nice to have that 'weight' to your book when selling yourself out there, no?
I stuttered quite a bit during that headhunter's call (because it was my first) and hope I didn't make a fool of myself. How do you suggest I respond the next time? Also, how do you check if he/she is for real and not a phony trying to pull one on you?
Thanks!
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| Dear Junior,
Great question, thank you for asking it.
A headhunter who will only give you his first name and nothing else is either a) a dolt (why miss on the opportunity to meet someone new and have them remember you or b) not a headhunter. Could be any number of people checking to see how loyal you are to your current employer. Although I can think of quite a few better ways (reference the recent post in Inspiration on The Human Moment). In this case, it would be The Humane... |
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| 20th June 2008 |
| It's my wish and goal to someday contribute creatively to a great team at an even greater agency as a copywriter. And though I'm sure I share that desire with many, my hopeful road to that destination is different than most.
The sordid details: Though I have a B.S. from the S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University, it's not in advertising, but in Televisio/Radio/Film writing.
After graduating, I spent a few years working at the biggest talent agency in the world followed by a stint at a production company developing movies, including one that was nominated for an academy award for best screenplay.
Since then, I wrote independently, was selected for the highly respected Warner Brothers Writers Program and amongst other produced small budgeted films, recently finished a screenplay for ABC Family Channel that will air in 2009.
Despite my success, I'm tired of the glacial pace of film development and yearning for a team environment with a frenetic pace.
Also, I know the Ad business relatively well for one without experience -- my father was ACD at Ogilvy, and CD at Dancer Fitzgerald Sample and Saatchi in the 70s. And in case you ask, no -- his contacts & relationships are all long in the ground. Luckily, he's not.
So I know this is a tough, maybe crazy question, but I'm wondering, as a 37 year-old with creative experience, does it translate?
Do I make my own spec book and come to someone like you?
Do I think about VCU Brandcenter, where (if accepted) I'd be graduating at 40(painful to type, much less say) with no guarantees other than 40K in debt?
Do I try to get ANY job at an agency regardless of department or role and try to make something happen, or do I "wake up" and move on to something else?
I'm not a quitter, so the last option will hurt, but I might need to hear it. |
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| 29th May 2008 |
| After what you consider a good interview, when are you supposed to give up thinking they will contact you? Is there an industry standard I can expect for a minimum/maximum time frame for hope? |
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| 14th April 2008 |
| What's the better portfolio option for senior creatives: a website or a book and reel? (If the latter, how many samples of work should there be?) |
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| 12th March 2008 |
| I am an Account Exec who happens to have started off in an agency that lost basically the entire account team when I started. I learned everything and then got a bit burned out. From there I jumped to a smaller agency (4 people) and the slow pace is now driving me batty.
So here is the question: What should my next step be to get on the path to being an Account Director in the next 5 years (I only have 2 under my belt so far.)? I know that I want to jump from this tiny agency but how big should I go and what sort of accounts should I look for? Wait that was three questions!
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| 23rd February 2008 |
| I began my career as a copywriter about 18 months ago after about 10 years experience doing Marketing and Communications on the client side. My resume so far has worked for me and got me the jobs I want, but now that I'm in Advertising I'm not sure if the same format should apply.
If I'm applying for copywriting positions should my resume only include my Advertising experience/writing/clients etc?
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| 1st December 2007 |
| I am currently a successful freelancer designer and have very much enjoyed the past 5 years working for myself.
At 33 I have been fortunate enough to be a part of some unique and very creative projects. Although, working for a major design firm or agency is constantly on my mind.
I'd really like to get into a team atmosphere and start generating killer designs for more clients.
My question is it too ambitious to shoot for a more senior position within an agency from a freelance position? I don't think I am willing to take a junior position at this stage.
Am I too late? |
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| 1st November 2007 |
| Here I am 31 years old an still working for the same agency that hired me as an intern out of college. Six years have passed and I feel I've done all the growing I can do here.
The company I work for, generally works on very specialized clients. My ambition is to move towards the consumer side of advertising. Problem is, my book is full of very specialized pieces.
How does an Art Director trained in a specialized category move to something a little more "mainstream?" |
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| 3rd August 2007 |
| What would you consider the difference between a creative resume and one that, well, kind of pushes the limits. I think that people are afraid to get creative with it, because we tend to see this as some sort of "holy" document. Then again, maybe it's just me. Where is the line between "creative" and "What the heck were you thinking?"
And, should a cover letter be boring and follow the usual format. Or, is it okay if it's creative too?
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| 30th May 2007 |
| My question is this: I've heard a lot of talk about senior creatives slowly being forced out - or leaving because of burnout - as their career progresses. This seems to be a reality we all have to deal with.
Now what I haven't found is a clear indication of what former ad creatives have done to find new careers. What options are available? And how, as a creative, can you open doors so you don't end up hawking french fries at 40? |
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| 27th April 2007 |
| First off, in our current climate, 10 year goals are fool hardy - don't we need to remain flexible to the changing circumstances around us? Isn't it better to clearly define your unique talent and point of difference then to worry what your job description will be a decade from now?
Secondly, any career goal should include a personal goal as well. These two aspects of our life are so integral to our productivity, happiness, passion and ultimately the quality of our output, that one should not be considered without the other. ~ Senior
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| 21st March 2007 |
| I have been in the publishing industry working in positions as graphic designer to art director for the past 15 years. I am looking to make a career change or move rather. I still like the publishing industry but want to possibly shift out of the design portion of it to another part of the industry but don't know where exactly. Do you have any ideas where I can take my design and software experience but get more into the business management end of the industry? ~ Senior
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| 26th February 2007 |
| I genuinely don't get it. I have loads of talent, international awards and a great book (that's according to some heavyweight Creative Directors who've seen my work) and international experience. And before you jump to the conclusion that I'm new to this market, I've spent 7 years here acquiring 'Canadian' experience. Yet I'm vegetating in a small shop, desperately looking to break into one of the big downtown shops. It's not for lack of trying. What gives, Heidi? Seven years is a long time, and I just don't buy that "Be Patient" line. Any ideas? ~ Intermediate |
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| 19th February 2007 |
| I am a senior planner who's trying to have it all - that life/work balance thing - work a little, write a little, live a little, play with my kids a little - I'm an explorer not a gatekeeper.
Will I ever be taken seriously just because I don't choose to work 70 hours a week? ~ Senior |
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| 12th February 2007 |
| What do you believe the best people in this business are attracted to when considering moving to a new agency? ~ Executive |
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| 5th February 2007 |
| Is changing jobs for money ever okay? ~ Senior |
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| 29th January 2007 |
| A friend of mine just told me about a position for a senior art director at Dentsu. Do you think I should go? ~ Senior |
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| 22nd January 2007 |
| What courses should I be asking my agency to send me on so that I can become a Creative Director in the next five years? ~ Intermediate |
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