How To Find A Job In Advertising After Graduation

You’ve worked hard to graduate and earn your diploma. Now that the day has come, you are probably wondering, “what is next”? You may have come to the realization that the easiest part of life is now over, even though all those all-nighters and endless days writing research papers might have seemed otherwise. Your young adult life is now about to commence full speed ahead.

It’s time to get a job, part-time or full-time, as a freelancer or consultant, or even launch your own agency as an entrepreneur. Your professional life is a canvas, at this point. To achieve this successfully after graduation, preparation and determination are key. It is only natural that you want to leave your mark in this world. In order to do so, you must put the knowledge you acquired through months of study into practice.

5 Steps To Land The Advertising Job Of Your Dreams:

1. Have Your Portfolio Ready

Building an online portfolio of your best work will validate your skills to potential employers and hiring managers. Companies will want to see you are capable of handling the workload and how you think strategically and creatively. By showing them you have already done similar work to that of the company will improve your chances of landing the job.

Many creatives trying to get into the advertising field understand that having a strong portfolio is key to cut through the competitive clutter.

Lucky for you, the Global Strategic Communications Creative Track has a program designed to offer, not only portfolio courses at the leading advertising creative school but offered in conjunction with a top University such as FIU. Miami Ad School was recently recognized at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity as the “2019 Future Lions of School of the Year”, and considered the Oscars for advertising creativity.

2. Website

Having a website is one of the most efficient ways to showcase your portfolio. If you want to get a job in advertising, chances are Human Resources or a recruiter will want to see solid writing content and your personal style. Some platforms like Blogger.com are free of charge. Install an appropriate template, back up your content, and you are set. You can prove your expertise by making your writing portfolio your homepage so it’s the first thing they see. Include your resume on your website and make sure you highlight relevant skills. Organize and style your website to portray your art direction skills. In general, people in advertising agencies must have a good feel for style and composition so make sure your website reflects this.

3. Expand Your Network

Your network is your net worth. Reach out to your professors and let them know you are applying to jobs. They could have connections in the places you are looking to work and they will put in a good word for you. But obviously, utilize the greatest networking tool that you are privy to during this time: your fellow graduate peers, professors and professionals speakers. The Global Strategic Communications Creative Track Masters is a networking paradise full of opportunities to meet creatives doing great advertising work. Build lasting connections with those you will spend all this time learning the field with and branch out to the different communities you will encounter through events and class projects.

4. Intern

Our program assists your internship search around the country and even right here in Miami! With more experience in the field, you are also more likely to get hired after graduating and then you just have to work your way up. FIU has partnered with local agencies like Optimum7 to give our students direct working experience as part of a real-time education initiative unique to our program. We don’t just want you to learn in theory, but in practice as well.

5. Continue your Education

The extra knowledge always helps. Sometimes a master’s degree is worth the investment to land the perfect job. With a Master’s degree in Advertising for Creative Professionals, like the one offered at FIU and Miami Ad School, you will acquire the necessary skills to excel in an advertising position. Learn the theory, research, strategy, and practical skills necessary to land your dream job. For more information about our Master’s program contact Grizelle De Los Reyes, director of FIU creative track program.