Comments on: How To Get A Job At A Creative Agency

By: Sharley

Sharley — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:21:52 +0000

Wow Hisham sounds like the person you are looking for – very unique and original. Too bad he wasnt able to get the spot

By: The Moose

The Moose — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:28:30 +0000

All things said, wether you pick a fresh graduate or a well aged creative guru, you’re kinda rolling the dice exactly the same way. Its all down to guts and luck on both the employer and employee. If fait has brought a spark of luck into someone looking for a needle in a a hay stack, then its time to look past the end of your nose, and grab it.

By: Hisham Kekhia

Hisham Kekhia — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:18:25 +0000

Thanks very much, it’s very flattering to be featured on this BIG blog. Just a quick correction, my gmail address is as follows:

hisham.kekhia@gmail.com

Having an uncommon last name has its downfalls…

By: BIG Kahuna

BIG Kahuna — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:16:50 +0000

Well to be honest I’m not looking for another writer so it’s really a moot point. But we have to stay true to our brand and part of that is that all BIG employees are senior level.

But I did give him mad props on the blog so hopefully he can hook on with someone!

By: Hani Mahmassani

Hani Mahmassani — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:52:35 +0000

Since you enjoy creativity so much, why not be creative yourself and hire Hisham?

I think hes proven himself so far, that hes much more qualified for the job than those senior level applicants…

I say give him a shot at it.

By: Jose Anes

Jose Anes — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:21:10 +0000

I find that a person with 10 years of experience is one of two things: A great Vice President, or a Terrible Individual Contributor. The former can lead with experience, the latter is an employee who expects to be paid a lot for the same value than someone more junior can provide: and becomes disgrunted.

I think the sweet spot for hiring people is 5 years of experience – when they have polished their rough edges and learned the ropes, but still have the passion to learn and grow.

Said that, companies willing to invest in themselves should try recent graduates (especially if they have something special on them, like a graduate degree or unique skills). I find that it is usually more rewarding to train a hardworking person into something they do not know than to make an experienced person work the level of effort required in a growing company.

By: BIG Kahuna

BIG Kahuna — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:42:55 +0000

I think a better question to ask is how the hell are we not on your RockStar page

I’ve been tempted in the past to break policy but it’s a decision I’ve made and swear by. Some will call me crazy but clients want that seasoned pro. We always have to overcome the shortsighted thinking of NOT having an office and it makes it more challenging with a rookie. Add to it that I can no longer claim all Kahunas are senior level.

By: James Seay

James Seay — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:34:29 +0000

Scott,

Thanks for sharing Hisham’s story! I think you should give him a shot despite his lack of “experience”. Creativity is not something you learn, and he could very well have that next BIG idea that a seasoned agency person may not. Just two cents from a person with NO agency experience…