Michael Edge, head of digital at VCCP.
Think of 'brand you', how would you promote it and make it cut through the crowd to hit your target audience? Use all the free platforms, tools and cheap targeted advertising (Facebook/Google) at your disposal and you wont go far wrong. One of the best things I've seen recently is the guy who landed a job through clever use of Google Ads.
Our industry is driven by technology whether we like it or not and this technology changes on almost a daily basis. Some of our best ideas come from a technological insight around a specific way a device (such as an iPhone) or a platform (such as Facebook) works and the way people behave and interact with this technology.
Anyone who could use (for example) Facebook ads to get a personalised message in front of me that I would want to interact with would automatically get my attention and probably a placement at VCCP. Anyone up for the challenge?
Nathan Guerra, director of innovation at AMVBBDO.
The largest area of growth in the next year is likely to be mobile (of course we've been saying that for years, but the general consensus seems to be that this time its REALLY going to happen).
I'd advise you to apply to agencies whose work you like and who are doing interesting digital work. Make it clear to them that you want to work on digital campaigns, but you'll be surprised to learn that most everyone is doing some "digital" work these days.
Mo Lishomwa, Digital Director at Saatchi & Saatchi.
If you are interested in the creative side I don't think not knowing how to design a traditional would be a disadvantage, but understanding the principles of digital advertising and all that goes with it is important.
There are so many different facets to advertising, and different types of people but I think being a good communicator, resourceful, a bit of a zen attitude and able to take a lot in very quickly always helps!
Nigel Gwilliam, a digital consultant to the IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising).
Every agency has its strengths and weaknesses so look around, look at the type of work they are doing, try to get an internship at two or three and talk to as many people as you can.
The world is changing faster than ever before and will continue to do so. Google's been around only 12 years, Facebook is 6, the iPhone is 3 - whatever kind of person you are, if you want to work in advertising & communications, you'd be wise to embrace change.
Vicky Clarfelt, HR Manager at Dentsu London.
Most people we see at interview stage will demonstrate a good understanding of the whole media mix and are really pro active within the digital space. If you don't already you should make sure you're operating and active in the space and have a point of view on the changes and developments.
I think that the most important thing to consider with grad schemes is not the discipline but the agency. My old boss told me you spend 33 years of your life at work so you'd better love going in there every-day. Apply to the ones you respect the work of, like the culture and buy into the ambition. Ultimately though you want to work somewhere where you're going to learn a gallon, work with brilliant people and move up a career ladder as quickly as possible.
Nick Cochrane is the Director and founder of Zebra People, a digital recruitment consultancy.
On a commercial basis it allowed companies/brands to communicate to their customers on an one to one basis which allowed some amazing creative executions from two man bands working out of their bedrooms.
Check out Chinwag. It displays a number of internships offered by digital companies and is a great resource for finding out more about the industry.
Sam Ismail & William Humphrey, co-founders of the popular blog AdGrads.
Experience matters more than a further, more vocational degree — digital is constantly changing and evolving, and to work at the coalface is the most valuable way to find out what areas of the industry you are most interested in.
I'm of the opinion that blogs are useful for housing your point of view and lateral thinking, but in terms of getting a job, you have to participate in relevant conversations online, and build your network that way — just having a good blog will be fine, but I want to know what you think about the issues of the day.
Get to know the industry and choose say five companies you want to work for and get to know the people you want to apply to / would want to work for. If you can, attend industry talks, have a point of view on their work from the point of the view of the creative process (what did the client want to achieve, what was the strategic platform, how was the work executed etc).
The wonderful thing about advertising is that there is no one set type; I've worked with biologists, business students, literature graduates or those without a degree who've worked their way up. That said, there were two character types which seem to dominate — those people who are curious and empathetic.
Chris Liversedge, director of queryclick Ltd.
It's such a fast moving industry, learning about today's cutting edge isn't much use if it's passé tomorrow, so honing your own critical faculties to distinguish if something new is genuinely useful or simply rehashing old ground will make you an effective employee in digital.
I think the most valuable skills are transferable, and if you have a good dose of can-do attitude combined with deep, practical knowledge of the industry — online & off — and the ability to client-face, then you'd be a valuable asset to most agencies regardless of career path to date.
