Well then, may I be the first to welcome you to the advertising business.
I wish you a long and rewarding career, with lots of fun and wealth. But why am I welcoming you into advertising now, before you have a job? Because, whether you know it or not, trying to get a job in advertising is a full-time job in itself. It'll take all the time and effort you can muster, and it'll nose its way into every part of your life.
The search for your first job may turn out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. The people you'll meet and the way that you relate to them will do a lot to tell you whether you'd really enjoy being in their world.
The people you need to talk to about getting a job aren't nearly as hard to contact as you might think. In fact, you might have a few connections as close as your family dinner table.
Tonight, when everybody's relaxed, contented, and feeding their faces, simply ask if anybody knows someone who works in any phase of advertising: for an agency, an advertiser, or even for the advertising or promotion department of a business firm.
Maybe your father works in the business or has a bowling buddy who does. Don't worry about the alleged stigma of getting a job through political connections. Political clout will rarely get you anything more than a job lead, anyway. And you should always take advantage of the chance for an interview any way you can get it. Never be proud or bashful; proud and bashful don't put groceries on your table.
Use every possible means at your disposal to meet and talk with people in the advertising business. Try to move from one interview right into another. When you meet your dad's friend, ask him if he has a friend, and so on. Ask your mom if she knows anyone who works in advertising. What about your brothers or sisters? If you hold any markers on them-like for the time you caught your older brother upstairs with his math tutor and kept your mouth shut-this is a good time to call them in. If they're old enough to work for a living, it's possible they know someone in their company who works in advertising or knows someone else who does. If they feel uncomfortable about setting up something for their brother or sister, try asking for their friend's name and set something up yourself.
Don't be a bit surprised if you have a few names to call before you get to dessert.
You'll notice that a telephone call is suggested instead of a letter. This is because a phone call is faster and more personal. If for some reason you should decide to write, remember to keep your letters brief and to the point. True, a letter can be a tremendous opportunity for a copywriter to shine; but if you're not a writer, or if you don't have enough confidence in yourself to try writing a uniquely memorable introductory letter, you'll do very well with a simple, "Dear , My name is , I'd like a beginner position as a " ."
Still, a phone call is always best. And after you've exhausted all your possibilities at home, get on the phone with your aunts and uncles and cousins, even those you don't usually talk to. Ask them the same questions you asked your immediate family. "Do you ever do any work which is in any way connected with advertising? Do you know anyone else who does, or anyone who might know someone else who does?"
You can bet a nickel that by this time you'll have the name of at least one person who knows of someone who might be able to help you.
Next, try your friends. After all, what are friends for if not to help you get rich, famous, and employed? Do any of them work in advertising? Do any of their parents or relatives? Do they know of anyone else who does? Or, do they know anyone who might know someone else?
