3 Checklists for 3 Years of Self Promotion
Getting into the industry is a huge feat, and sometimes climbing up the ladder is even harder.
But don’t worry, to help you take the next step, or even the first step in your journey through Adland, we’ve made three easy checklists to make every step that little bit simpler.
Checklist 1: Turning school into a salary
Hustle your ass off
It might sound obvious, but in this industry, it’s more about who you know than what you know. And there’s no need to feel awkward or stalker-y about it, everyone has been hit up once or twice from someone asking for advice or to pick their brain about how to get a foot in the advertising door. So slide into those DMs, go out on coffee dates, and network network network. To get you started, here’s one from our DMs:
Hey (name), I recently saw your work on (project) and wanted to reach out to pick your brain about it. I’m just starting in the industry and would love your advice on getting into the industry. When are you free for a coffee? My shout.
Work on proactive ideas
Whether you’re trying to join a creative or strategy team, you’re going to need a way to show how your brain works. Yes, your Award or Ad School portfolio may do this, but so do all the hundreds of other people that were in your cohort.
Stand out with briefs from competitions like Young Glory, Hard Sell or Young Lions - or even better answer a problem for an existing client of that agency.
Don’t give up
Persistence is key. It may take some time to land your dream job, and it might not even be the first job you take. Getting your foot in the door of any agency, big or small, is a huge achievement and a great learning opportunity - even if it’s not in the department you really want. So follow up that email, then follow up again. We draw the line at rocking up on their home doorstep.
Checklist 2: Getting paid what you’re worth
Build your case
From the day you start, keep track of your work, your input & your results. Frame the discussion on why you deserve a pay rise based on your track record of performance and the value you bring.
Know your worth
Do your Googles, look at comparable roles, and get an understanding of your market value. You can do this by reaching out to a recruiter who can give you a guide on what someone in your role, with your experience, is earning. Or chat to people in similar roles too, we could all be a little more open with our salaries and worth. Reach out to your mates and try to figure out where you sit on the salary scale. If anything it's a great excuse to have a beer.
Book in a meeting
Ensure you make this a formal conversation with your boss. Yeah this can be a little weird, but you want them to take you and this chat seriously.
Make a plan
If your boss rejects the pay rise request, ask them to come back to you with a timeline & KPIs you need to achieve in order to get that pay rise.
Follow up
Once you have had the meeting, follow up with an email. Summarise the key outtakes and any next steps.
Follow up again
Your boss is busy. Your boss’s boss is busy. Things slip off the to-do list.
Leave
If you don't get what you want in the time frame you believe is reasonable, leave.
Checklist 3: Making your next move
Have ‘the chat’
Like Tilly’s housemate says…
“Loyalty isn’t much of a thing. If you die tomorrow, they’ll replace you in days.”
And they’re right. Loyalty in Adland is a hard thing to come by, so moving on and up to another company is inevitable for most Adland citizens.
Your boss knows this chat is coming. Whether you’re moving companies for bigger clients, a new role, or moving up the department hierarchy, your boss will understand and should be supportive in your career growth.
Negotiate a pay rise
The biggest pay rises your bank account will see is moving companies. Do your research on your new role and pay expectations, then negotiate your salary. For most companies in the advertising industry, Superannuation is included in a salary package, so keep this in mind when you calculate your salary after tax and after Super contributions.
From our experience, you should go to the top end of your expectations (then add a bit more). Most agencies will negotiate down, so why not start up? That way when you meet in the middle it’s still a salary you’re happy with.
Never burn the bridge
Adland is smaller than you think, and you never know who you might be sitting next to at the desk sometime in the future. So always leave graciously, on good terms, and keep in touch if possible.
Once you get used to prioritising yourself and being your own cheerleader in agency negotiations, your growing confidence will open even more doors in your career. You won’t need luck, when you’ve got you in your corner.
Bianka & Tilly are two young Adlanders who were once fresh meat like you. Bianka is a Mid-Snr Creative Copywriter that’s put her name to all kinds of clients from banking, to Autism Australia and everything in between - however her pride and joy was when she made a bin chicken a Christmas hero.
Tilly now resides as a Senior Strategist at Special Group and is a powerful brain to be reckoned with. Both women try to give back to the industry as much as they can through Youngbloods, Award School, pro bono work, and nurturing up & coming talent.
