Corrina Hartas, well-known head hunter in the creative industry, came and spoke to Macleay Students about the recruitment process and how to prepare for job applications. Here is some of the insight and advice she shared:
The Media and Advertising industry is very competitive; you need to learn to fail before you succeed.
Familiarise yourself with Lurzer's Archive Magazine.
There are always ways to give back to the industry, without having to be a direct part of an agency (headhunting, teaching, mentoring etc).
Ideas are the main constraints in the Advertising industry, and the ability to balance the crafting of ideas is essential.
In your resume, your timeline should start with today (your most recent achievements/career moves) and go back in reflection of how you got to where you currently are.
Can creativity be taught? - The tools and skills necessary in order to harness creative processing and ideation is something that can be taught. Everyone has the potential to be creative.
Todays meaning and message from Advertising agencies has become more about purpose than money - a factor that is revolutionary for the industry. Some of the most celebrated and awarded work really harness and reflect this aspect.
In-person presentation is more important and more impacting than how you present yourself on platforms such as LinkedIn. LinkedIn has a tendency to be more business-focused rather than an effective tool for creatives.
Maintaining your personal is important. Keep it updated.
There is a movement from paper portfolios to PDF format when applying for jobs (interesting point, as I personally would still utilise a paper portfolio)
It is a ruthless industry; be protective of your ideas and your work.
Are university degrees really important? - Employers look more at how you valued your course. They don'y look at qualifications first, but rather at your experience and portfolio. Often they look at your institution out of curiosity, rather than a decision-making factor. It really comes down to you as a person, ultimately.
What to put in a portfolio as a student with little or no experience: recreations of advertisements, campaign extensions, evidence of creative skills.
Internships: diverse work experience both helps you to navigate your own career path, as well as makes you seem more employable to a potential employer.
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