So how does one get into the highly elusive and incredibly competitive world of advertising?
Here’s my recipe: Combine a healthy dose of persistence with the determination to simply do whatever is necessary.
I had created a plan following my visit to McKay King Advertising (read this blog post first before you continue). I would look to get my foot in the door in a local ad agency and figure it out from there.
The first step included compiling a list of every single advertising agency in the city with the help of the Yellow Pages and the local library. I then crafted a letter and typed it out on expensive linen paper. Yes, I actually typed the letters myself on an actual typewriter in a proper business format (I had taken a typewriting/business class at school and was able to type at a pretty decent clip). Presentation was always a big deal for me. Throughout my schooling, I generally spent too much time making assignments or reports look halfway decent because the content was often lacking. I wasn’t exactly an A student (I hated homework and playing outside with mates was my thing). You could say I scored big when it came to presentation but dropped points in the actual content.
I wrote to every advertising agency in the city. All of them. I think there was about 25 or more. The content of the letter was basic and to the point – I want a job in your agency and I simply don’t mind what I do.
I waited. And I waited.
Then I got some replies. Rejection letters. Quite a few of them actually. It’s funny, even though they were rejection letters, I was still excited that I got the letters. I actually received personal letters typed on printed letterhead from some of the biggest names in advertising.
I can’t ever recall getting discouraged but I must have. Letter after letter all saying the same thing – thanks but no thanks.
I can’t recall how long after I mailed the letters that I actually got that one call. One of the agencies on my list got my letter and wanted to know if I’d like to come in for an interview. For real. I had never heard about this agency; it wasn’t a named brand (pun intended). I would soon later find out that Brown Christensen & Associates represented some of biggest brands in the country (and the world).
I remember the interview vividly. I probably wore the same black leather tie to the interview as I did to my visit to McKay King. I was being interviewed by the accountant. This seemed odd as the position she mentioned was for a production junior. That’s the polite term for a gofer or errand boy. It doesn’t get much lower than that – but I didn’t care – this was MY opportunity.
At the end of the interview I was offered the job on the spot. I had obviously done something right. But, there was a significant, and potentially devastating twist to this story…
After being offered the position, there was some ongoing small talk as what I’d actually be doing. It was revealed that I’d be driving a lot. Not sure why it didn’t come up during the interview, but there it was, in my face, and there was one minor problem… I didn’t have my license. F%$k. I think the reason it didn’t come up before was because it was a given – only I hadn’t registered that.
Now, before you give me grief for not having for my license, you gotta remember the times. It wasn’t on my radar. I didn’t have money for a car and bus transportation was the way to get around.
I didn’t need my license. But now I REALLY needed it – did I just screw this up?
You can probably imagine the look on her face when I said I didn’t have my license. She almost went as pale as I did: she just offered a job involving a lot of driving to a young man without a license. Oh dear. I had to act, and quickly! I blurted out that I’d get my license in a month – promise. I had no idea at the time if that was even possible. It was instinct.
She reluctantly agreed. She mentioned the current production junior would be less than impressed that he’d have to hold that position for another month while I got my license. The truth is, you really don’t want to be stuck in that position longer than you have to be. It’s certainly not a glamorous position.
I got my foot in the door as a delivery guy and I didn’t have my drivers license. Go figure – but I was on my way.
After the interview and after I started work, I set my sights on getting my license ASAP. I took private driving lessons and my driving instructor would pick me up outside the building (I went during my lunch hour). Even though I lived in the suburbs, I took my lessons in the heart of city (fun times). Two lessons a week for a month. After four weeks he drove me to the drivers license place (in the agency production car; a Mazda 121 circa 1987 – look it up) and I took my test and passed. I seriously did it.
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