Most people think they can be anything in the world… high hopes I guess, maybe it’s a confidence thing, which is a good thing, but I mean really, a Mechanic applying for a Strategist position with a top Digital agency? It will be quite difficult for me to think of a reason to put you forward to the client…

I will be mentioning a few things that could get you that interview, but we really need to start thinking more realistically. Firstly, in addition to showcasing your background, experience, and education, your CV can demonstrate your attention to detail and even your intelligence. I’ve seen plenty of CVs with spelling mistakes, typos, missing information, or hard-to-follow formats.

Be sure that all your talents are clearly listed on your CV. Repeat and highlight, in your cover letter, the ones that relate particularly to the role. If a recruiter has to explain to clients how exactly you would fit into their job opening, he is probably not seeing the kind of enthusiasm that he can’t wait to tell you about and this is the opposite of what you want to get out of an application.

Many employers have specific requirements for the degrees, skills, and certifications they want in new hires, usually spelled out in the formal job description. Yet, in some resumes, the relevant information is buried or not mentioned at all and in most cases, not part of their experience.

Below, I will be going into a couple of examples – some case studies that have actually crossed my path:

So you’re on bizcommunity one day, you notice your dream job as a Senior Digital Strategist at a trendy Cannes Lion-winning agency, and of course you try your luck, as a 22-year-old graduate with a year’s experience as an intern, and apply for the job. This may come as a surprise to you, but inevitably, you won’t get the job, or even manage to get the recruiter to forward the CV to the relevant clients.

From another perspective, another common situation is when a e.g. Truck Drivers applies for a Business Unit Director role – naturally, their application won’t be considered by an recruiter or company offering the position.

In a final instance, we get applications from qualified candidates, who apply for positions in a slightly different direction, but don’t evaluate whether the role in question is right for their long term career trajectory. If an Account Manager moves into a Project Management role without any client-facing exposure, it may be difficult for them to move into a more senior Account Director role, which may have been their plan all along, even though these two positions are closely aligned. The next thing these candidates know after accepting this role is that this was a mistake and they can either not fulfil the job requirements, or don’t want to.

So, if you aren’t getting called back by a recruiter after sending your details through, there’s a good chance that, in addition to the fact you didn’t have the right skills, you might also have displayed one or more traits on the “I can’t market them” list.

If you’re serious about your career, take ownership of your CV, your experience, and give a good hard look at where you realistically see yourself, and where you SHOULD be.

Good luck and hopefully, in the future, I can find you that dream job you have always wanted.

Although the cultural differences of these diverse workplaces need to be acknowledged, the ultimate goal is to establish yourself in a role that is rewarding, relevant and will ultimately make you happy.

Marketing is just marketing, isn’t it? Agency or client’s side… We’re all one big family of marketers with a wealth of experience and a sack full of valuable skills that we can shift from one discipline to the next.

Shifting your career path is something that requires a great deal of thought – not to be taken lightly. Below, I go into a bit of detail about the differences between Agency and client life.

Agencies move at lightning pace on many projects simultaneously and everyone handles many jobs and brands simultaneously, so you often find yourself acquiring new skills at a rapid pace. If you’re a born multi-tasker and love to show your creative stuff, agency life is the place to be. Never a dull moment.

Client side you will get work on a variety of campaigns. Often times projects will be the same year over year, which means you’ll be a part of building and maintaining those brands as time goes by. Your schedule will probably be a lot more predictable than in the agency world. Which could become dull at times.

Many people are tempted by the ‘cool’ agency lifestyle, yet others are driven by the opportunity to look after one individual brand in its entirety month after month.

The differences in the marketing, advertising and communications world are crystal clear – agency or client. Agency folk could be flamboyant and ready to burn the candle at both ends; client-side executives would sit behind a large desk with a picture of their children on it and have a team to boss around.

In an agency there is a sense of togetherness. You feel like you’re pulling together for a common goal and you don’t get this in a big client organisation, as there tend to be more conflicting objectives, not just between departments but also in your own team. You have to become an expert at political maneuverings.

While agencies offer variety and diversity of work, in-house or client-side roles provide longevity and stability but can lack variety. In a good agency the teamwork can be amazing– nothing on the client’s side is like that ‘up all night, working on a big pitch’ feeling – or those moments when you really get it right. Looking at it like that, it is clear why people often choose agency over in-house roles. But there is a chance that you could end up on stress medication, or worst case scenario, in a loony bin

So, before you make any rash decisions- please do some research, start early and have sufficient time to digest the information and even change your mind a few times and ask around…

What’s more important to you? The money factor? Growth? being in a fun and youthful environment and working crazy stressful but “creative” hours or in a very cooperative and mature environment, working standard the standard 9-5?

From what I have written above – I’m sure you will be able to distinguish which of the two careers options are best suited to you… Everyone is different, don’t just follow… “because, everyone else is doing it”.

Please feel free to comment, on your thoughts perhaps, or your experiences. Would love to hear what you have to say…