Getting Social to Get the Job

Some thoughts from one of Dashboard’s newest employees… namely, me.

Just like the products and services that populate our marketplace, we also have to think of ourselves as brands.  And in order to sell yourself, you need to do something different to set your brand apart from the rest.  A nice looking resume just doesn’t cut it.  Today, you need to work harder and more strategically in order to stand out and get noticed. Especially if you’re just starting out in the industry as I am. Having graduated in 2009 and been working outside of the agency world until now, I knew I would have to work hard to prove my potential.

Here is an example of what I did in order to get a job as an Account Coordinator at Dashboard:

I started out with the idea of creating an advertising campaign about how I wanted to work at Dashboard.  While doing research about the agency, I noticed that the Children’s Wish Foundation was one of their clients, and that’s when my idea hit me.  I decided to start a group on Facebook, asking people to join the group and show their support on the premise that I would donate 1% of my first year salary to the Children’s Wish Foundation if I got the job.  I promoted the group on various social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and amassed a following of 160 members.  The idea proved to be a big success… getting me noticed, earning me follow-up interviews and ultimately impressing the people at Dashboard enough to offer me the job.

This idea was successful because it showed Dashboard a number of things:

1. I did my research about the agency and its affiliations.
2. I understand marketing trends and how to make use of digital marketing tools.
3. I attach value to socially responsible causes.
4. And finally… that I can think creatively and proactively pursue opportunities.

The above principles can actually apply to getting a job anywhere, not just advertising agencies.  So now that you’ve heard MY story…  get out there, pick an employer you would like to work for, and show them what you can do!