Entry level jobs in advertising can be harder or easier to come by depending on where in advertising you want to work—if you’re looking for a job working for an ad agency or a job working in in-house advertising department.
After having researched both areas, I’ve found that agencies definitely sound more glamorous to most people and, therefore, are the usually the harder ones to land for those with little relevant work experience. Because these jobs also give job seekers the opportunity to work with a variety of different accounts and products and are excellent ways to gain experience, these jobs tend to be more competitive. They also offer lots of great earning potential after you’ve moved up within the ranks.
An in-house entry level job in advertising is a bit easier to land. Though you might not get the variety you might get at an advertising firm, there’s still the upside of getting to know one industry very well. And if you’re working in an industry you love, then you’re all set.
Work hours are another thing setting these two areas apart. While you’ll probably end up making more in the long run at an agency, the hours at an ad agency are probably going to be a bit longer than the hours you would work at an in house advertising department.
It’s really up to your personal preference and what you’re looking for in an advertising position. After you land that entry level job in advertising and get some good advertising experience under your belt, even if you change your mind about where you want to be, there’s always going to be an opportunity to find a different job.

Should you use an head hunter if you’re an entry level applicant? Headhunters earn their living by matching job applicants with job openings, and their success is based on how accurate they are. For job applicants, they’re also a great way to gain access to the many jobs that never get listed publicly and a chance to get a foot in the door of companies. I have found a great job through a recruiting agency and it could be something that could work for you as well.
When you’re shopping for a recruiter to represent you, find someone who specializes in your field—someone who knows your industry and your profession. Although most head hunters might not represent entry level candidates, there are some companies out there. You could ask people who work in the industry you want to get into for recommendations or head over to your local library and check out the Directory of Executive Recruiters, a list of the headhunters.

(more…)

I’ve found that the job market is full of a wide variety of entry level marketing jobs. I personally did not major in marketing and didn’t realize that I wanted to go into marketing until after more than a year out of college and after having worked in business during that time.
I ran into the problem of trying to find a marketing job with no previous experience when all the job ads for entry level marketing jobs wanted someone with at least a year in marketing. So, how do you go about getting experience in marketing when you’re looking for an entry level position?
I ended up gaining experience through part-time marketing internships and paid marketing assistant jobs—which is just another name for “administrative assistant in the marketing department.” It isn’t the perfect long-term way to live, but in the meantime, it seems to be working in my favor. I’ve gained a lot of great experience along the way and it’s good to know I can send my resume out with that solid marketing experience.
Another suggestion that I have for anyone else who hasn’t majored in marketing and is an entry level job applicant searching for a way to qualify for and land a marketing job—take a night class or two while you’ve got the free time to do so. It’s always great to be able to update your resume with that “Relevant Coursework” section. And if you’re serious there, you might even consider getting a certificate in marketing to show your commitment and prove to future employers that you know what you’re doing.

When it comes to being an entry level applicant, there’s not a whole lot of work experience to pick and choose from, but entry level resumes can be carefully formatted to market yourself well.
When I decided to switch careers without any relevant work or even internship experience, I started researching different resume formats to try and find one that would highlight my skills. I ended up deciding to go with what’s called the Combination resume format, which organized my resume in this order: objectives, relevant skills, work experience, education, followed by whatever other section you might find useful to include.
The great thing was that my work experience—or lack thereof—wasn’t the first thing that employers were reading on my entry level resume. Rather, my relevant skills were right up front and center. I personally also included a separate section on what computer skills I had.
You never know where you might have gained relevant experience during college too—that club you participated in or the volunteer program you were a part of. By placing relevant skills near the top in one place, employers don’t have to go searching through all the sections of an entry level resume for how a job applicant might be a good fit.
The last thing to remember is that it’s not only going to be about the resume—cover letters are your first chance to make a good impression, so taking your time on making those as good as you can is a really good idea as well.

In conducting my entry level job search, I’ve found many sources of job listings and ways to find potential jobs. Some methods have worked well for me and others not so well, but here are some of what’s worked for me.
The Internet is a great resource for your entry level job searches, with ways to connect to an endless number of job listings. Even the local newspaper will more than likely post their job listings online in order to reach a wider audience. If there’s a company that you’re really interested in working for, why not check out their website and find out what they’re hiring for right now?
Finding a good temp agency could also prove to be a great way to get your foot in the door. Not only do you get to try out the company on a temporary basis, but if you end up liking the job and the people you work with and if they like you back, you’ve got a much better chance of finding a full-time position that you’re qualified for than some unknown job applicant applying for the same position in the company.
Joining a professional group or association could be another great way to help your entry level job search along. You know when your job counselor told you it was all about networking, well, she was right. So many jobs never ever even make it to the public listings and end up being filled from within the company or through a connection. You could get lucky by being open about the fact that you’re out there looking for a job and being open to meeting new people.

Job hunting depending on how long it lasts, can become tiring and unmotivating. Here are some tips I’ve found helpful for staying focused and positive when it comes to finding the job and career you want.
1. Figure out exactly what you want. Knowing this means wasting less time on jobs that aren’t going to help you toward the career you want.
2. Set daily goals. It’ll focus your effort more and you’ll be more productive with your time.
3. Continue learning. Why not benefit from your spare time and make yourself more marketable. You could even take on an internship or volunteer.
4. Stay positive. Sometimes it take a while for the right job to come along but remember that if you know what you want and you work for it, it’ll come along.
5. Take time out for yourself. Remember to find time to relax, go out with friends, even take a walk. Your health and outlook benefit when you remember to take care of your physical and mental health.

Some companies require graduates to have experience, that’s great, but what if you have a degree with no experience what are you to do? There are two things that a person can do to get experience for the career position and help boost your resume.
The first one is to intern, at a company even if you have to be a gopher or work in the mail room. If you are going to do an intern get a mentor(s) in the company and ask questions about their position in the company. You’ll be surprised at what you find out. You should also see if you can sit in on meetings make sure (if possible) to take notes and discuss what you did not understand with your mentor(s). Most internships are not advertised sometimes you have to call or email the head of a department, human resources or president and request to do an internship. You may find that they pay their interns and are seeking to hire one immediately. However if they tell you that they have an unpaid internship take it till you find a paid internship or a paying fulltime job. Remember your goal is to get into your career. You can of course network and always do a great job at your internship so that you may recieve a great recommendation for a paid position whether in that company or with another company. There are various internships at many companies. Don’t limit yourself seek internships in small, medium and large companies.
The second, is volunteering. This is also a great way to determine you are a great fit for the company, but most importantly if the company is a great fit for you. Remember this will possibly be your career so you want to make sure that it fits. Volunteering is wonderful there are positions where you are a paid volunteer and your helping build your community. These are great networking positions to lauch your career search. I worked with a program for two years and I networked with city and state political officials, business owners, and school officials. All of which I have recieved great recommendations to carry to my future potential employers. While with this program the monetary gain is little, but you do get help with student loans along with some health benefits. There are many other internships and volunteer positions out there in all fields and majors, you just have to do some research and calling.
If you commit to one or both while unemployed it shows that you are energetic, and persistent in wanting to get your foot in the door with that company and more so in your career. You will also gain insight into the daily workings of the company, inside job openings, and networking. These are great because if your unemployed and you are either interning, volunteering or both prospective employers will see a person who does not like to sit and do nothing on their down time.

It can get discouraging when you have a college degree and work experience but you’re still having trouble getting the job you want. Right now I’m attempting to change careers and I’ve found that compared to the rest of the applicants, I’m lacking in the work experience department.
So what do you do about it? Several things. For starters, Volunteering is a great way to gain experience. Plus you never know who you might meet. Find a volunteer position that’s related to what you want to do and an organization you are interested in working for. Talk to people, network!
Find internships that help you develop skills and again, you never know who you may meet. Intern with an organization where you want to work and voila, you now have some good networks within the company who know how you work.
I’m also taking an online class to beef up my skills. It gives me something to do during the days and I feel like I’m being productive. Look through what your local colleges offer and what classes are online.
I’ve also noticed what systems many jobs prefer I am familiar with and I’ve taken the time to download the program (there are free trials online for some of them) and taking the online tutorials. Now I’ve just added another skill to my resume.
I really have found that there are so many ways to getting experience, and for me, being active in increasing my work experience makes me feel like I’m headed in the right direction toward the job that I really want.

After sending out about 30 resumes and following up religiously, I’ve recently been accepted for a part-time writing internship! Thankfully, it pays, because these days, every dollar counts. Most importantly, I’ll be writing articles that will be published online, get my own byline, and be working with an editor to improve my writing skills. I’ll finally be able to create a writing portfolio. I feel a thrill akin to that felt by the aspiring actress who lands her first one liner on a TV show.
There’s only one thing marring the happiness of finding a position from which to springboard my writing career, that little voice in the back of my head murmuring that with my college degree and my work experience, I should be making more money. The bottom-line is that I have to keep reminding myself that although there’s nothing glamorous in being where I am now, sometimes people have to give up a little to get where they want to go. The act of pursuing my passion as a writer despite the lack of monetary reward is equivalent to the gutsy act of someone who’ll hop on a greyhound bus heading out to Hollywood to chase after their dreams.
In the meantime, in accordance with my new role as an aspiring writer, and to keep a positive monthly bank balance, I plan to apply as a part-time waitress at a restaurant nearby. When it comes to going after your goals, I feel like I’m starting to have more in common with that aspiring actress than ever before, and lately, I feel like that isn’t such a back thing.