How to Get a Job at an Advertising Agency as a Copywriter

Working as an advertising copywriter can be one of the most exciting, creative, satisfying jobs there is. It is the creative team of the copywriter and art director who get down to the business of creating ads. While it may not be possible to escape your general style as a writer, you do need to have enough flexibility to handle a broad range of topics with varying degrees of seriousness and tastefulness. You need to be able to write about the new children's cancer wing of the hospital, and you need to be able to write about ketchup. You need equal parts creativity, flexibility, and thick skin, because some of your ideas will be shot down. Here are some of the other things you need.

You need a resume. Even though a resume isn't enough to get you a job as an advertising copywriter on its own, you still need to make one. You can search the Internet for different styles of resumes, and you can modify your basic resume to fit the agency to which you are sending it. Your resume should have the following sections: name and contact information (including your website address); a brief statement about yourself and your job goal; job history with most recent job first; awards; special skills, such as foreign languages; and education. Depending on the agency you're sending it to, you may be able to have a little fun with your resume. Don't turn it into one big joke, but a tiny zing of self-deprecating humor might go over well with some agencies. For example: ''While my main goal is to become a creative director someday, in the near future I want a job where I can afford lots of high-heeled shoes so I can be as tall as the other adults.''

You need a portfolio. This is the job deal breaker. If your portfolio contains examples of your best work covering several types of ad campaigns using several different media, you set yourself apart from the copywriter whose portfolio includes every college advertising assignment he or she ever turned in. Quantity isn't necessarily the goal; quality is. Your portfolio is a book or binder that showcases your best work. Sure, they'll look at your resume, but it's your portfolio that will get (or lose) you the job. This is where you bring you're A-game. You also need to create a mini portfolio that you can send out to agencies you're interested in. The mini portfolio can be standard 8 ½x11 size, and one page of it should be your resume. It can be comb bound, spiral bound, or in a folder.



You need a website. If your job is in a creative field, you need a website that showcases your online portfolio. You can email a link to your website to agencies you're interested in. Making a good website doesn't have to be expensive. You want your website to look clean, smart, and uncluttered. In addition to your online portfolio, your website should have your resume, contact information, and perhaps a personal page where you tell a little something about yourself as a person. But you don't want to get too personal on your personal page. Preserve some of the mystery.

You need to research and network. Networking does mean distributing your business card, but it also means in large part simply telling everyone in your life that you're looking for an advertising job. You never know who knows someone in the business. Do as much research on prospective ad agencies as you can. Fortunately, the web can help a lot with this, but don't ignore other media, including local print media and job listings. Keep an open mind and don't be afraid to ask people in the ad industry who the top agencies are in your market and who has jobs.

You need to cast a wide net. Make several copies of your mini portfolio (which should include your resume) and send them out. Of course you'll want to make it a priority to contact the agencies you're interested in first, but go ahead and send copies to other agencies. You can also contact agencies by email and attach a PDF of your mini-portfolio, or simply email with a link to your website. If you don't know the name of the person or position that accepts resumes and can't find out, you can try sending it to the agency's Creative Director.

You need the patience to wait before following up. The week after you send out resumes and mini portfolios will seem like two or three weeks, but don't be too hasty to follow up. After that week is up, phone or email to see if they received your materials and make it clear that you're available for job interviews. If an entry-level clerk answers your call, treat him or her like they hold your future in their hands, because sometimes they do. If you're rude or condescending to the receptionist, you could well be ''mysteriously'' disconnected, but if you treat him or her with respect, you have a much better chance of your call going to the person who can give you a job.

You need perseverance. Don't give up. Next to a winning portfolio, your determination is the most important thing in getting the job you want!