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Dear Junior,
Lots of should's and not enough detail.
Although I like that you're looking five years down the road. Let's see if we can tighten up your journey.
There really is no should. There's only what you want. Which I'm suggesting you need a clearer picture of. I like that you know you want to be an Account Director in 5 years. Where do you want to be an Account Director? You've experienced a bigger agency, and you've experienced a really small agency. Two extremes I know, but which one feels better to you?
If you could be an Account Director on any category of business, what would it be? Now what would your Top Three be? A category of business that you're massively interested in already would be helpful.
Then what sector of the business do you want to be an Account Director in? (I almost hesitate to call them out, because they are blending together pretty quickly these days.) Have you worked on the 'advertising' side so far? Are you attracted to other areas of communications? Try them out! If you are passionate about being a great counsel to your clients through your intricate understanding of their business, constantly thinking of ways to help them achieve their goals, or an expert in the areas you are paid to be an expert in, then really any branch would be thrilled to have you.
The point I'm making is what really matters here is what you want. Once you have a clear picture of what accounts you want to work on, or what agency you want to work for, and who you want to learn from, then you can start to create the map to get you there. To build the resume that will get you hired for that job you want in 5 years.
"In 2013, I will be an Account Director on the X business at Y agency, making $Z a year."
Now, like the Account Director you are becoming, write the brand plan to get you from today to 2013. The most effective way is to start and 2013 and work towards today. 2013, then 2011, then 2010, then 2009, then six months from today, then three months from today, then one month from today, then two weeks from today.
What do you need to accomplish in the next two weeks?
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