How to get a job in advertising

To get a job in advertising, use this guide:

• Get the necessary education. Nearly all advertising jobs require a relevant bachelor's degree. However, this is starting to change in the digital age.

  If you are still attending high school, you should seek to take courses that will prepare you for a career in advertising. These can be classes focused on things like creative writing, graphic design, communications, and specific advertising courses, if available.

  If you are planning on attending college, a bachelor's or master's degree in advertising is a good choice. Most companies still prefer candidates with degrees in the field, or degrees that have relevance to advertising.

  Advertising is a very competitive industry, college degrees can help you stand out, and often help to land you more advanced positions.

• Use social media. This is critical in the modern age of advertising. You need to have a strong online presence.

  Try to keep these accounts as professional as possible, and this does not mean you shouldn't have fun with them. The more inventive and creative you can get with your social media, the better.

  This can showcase your talents in advertising, even before you have a professional position.

  You should also consider getting a professional email, and creating a personal website or blog. Utilizing all of these online tools will exhibit your advertising skills to your potential employers.

• Research companies. Before applying to any advertising positions, you should do some research and find companies that you are genuinely interested in.

  You may not be able to land your dream job right out of the gate. However, it is important to know what's out there, so you can establish goals to eventually shoot for.

  Doing research will also help you determine how you line up, skill-wise, with a company's advertising department.

  Do their advertising campaigns seem like you could have done them, or are they too complex, and beyond your current skill level? These are helpful questions to ask when determining what companies you should apply to.

• Consider an internship. Though most advertising internships are unpaid, they are still valuable opportunities.

  Internship programs give you exposure to the industry and professional experience. They are great additions for a resume of someone who is just starting out in advertising.

  In addition, internships can sometimes turn into full-time work at the company. And at the very least, if you are an exceptional intern, you can use your superior or co-workers from the internship as references.

  You can look into programs at large advertising agencies, though these are likely to be highly competitive, and have large candidate pools.

  As a backup, you should look for smaller advertising firms. The good thing about a smaller ad firm is that you might get more professional experience than doing an internship at a large ad agency.

• Network. Networking is a crucial aspect of almost every industry and is especially critical in advertising.

  You can use your college alumni association to gain advertising connections, and also attend any advertising events or conferences.

  Reach out on professional social media and try to establish a network of advertising connections. You may even be able to get a mentor that can help guide you throughout your career.

  Networking is paramount if only for the reason it can produce leads to advertising positions.

• Prepare for interviews. Remember, most advertising professionals are extroverts. They often are socially adept and can carry on a conversation with a stranger without any trouble.

  If you do not possess these skills, it is important to try and develop them. During your interviews for advertising positions, your potential employers will be looking for these attributes.

  It's also a good idea to be prepared to take your interviewer through any small or large ad campaigns you have accomplished, or at least your curated social media, website, or blog.

  You should try to communicate your creativity and brainstorming abilities, and then showcase these talents with your online portfolio.