May 27

Written by: careers
5/27/2010 7:13 AM

by Mike Gardner
 
On May 24th, the AMA-DC Chapter held its largest event of the year - The Spring Mix at the Liaison Hotel.  It was a great event for a few reasons - First, it was well attended- sold out, actually, and provided an excellent opportunity for great networking- something I am always advising job seekers to do during the job search.  Secondly, the event featured a notable keynote speaker: Chuck Porter, Chairman of the famous advertising firm of Crispin Porter+Bogusky.  And third, Mark Bisnow received the 2010 AMADC’s Hall of Fame Award.
 
As I sat in the front row and listened to Chuck Porter discuss many of the key lessons learned during his amazing career, I realized that several of his points could translate well into good advice for jobseekers as well as employers searching for outstanding talent.  Here are a few of his headlines I quickly scribbled on the back of a cocktail napkin...enjoy!

Hanging in his office and posted around the agency are signs that read:  “There is no learning without emotion- Plato.”  Been in the job market lately?  Plato knew what he was talking about.  The process is an emotional rollercoaster ride filled with all of the emotions from total stress to joy, and by the time the ride ends most jobseekers and employers find themselves more informed than ever before. Through the search process, seekers tend to learn more about themselves and what they want in their careers, and employers gain insight to the true value that employees bring to the team and the impact to productivity when there is a vacant position waiting to be filled.  It’s very eye opening from either side of the desk.

It’s easier than ever to ignore you. Chuck was talking about how his firm tackles the issue of breaking through the clutter in media with well-designed messages that audiences will want to listen to.  Have you ever sent a resume to a company and didn’t get a response?  There is a lesson here- and also a ton of clutter in the job market today.  Your message to future employers—your story needs to be done with breakthrough messaging that shows why you’re different from the scores of talent applying for the same position.  From the employer perspective, job postings should sell the company to potential applicants—the right applicants.  Postings need to do more than just talk about the function of the open position.  They should explain why an applicant would want to work with your company talking about the culture and the true benefits that make your company a great place to work.

What you do is more interesting than what you say.  From Crispin Porter + Bogusky have come many famous and award-winning campaigns that have gotten people to listen and more importantly, act.  As a job seeker, it is important to learn from this headline- always send a thank you note following the interview and please, never send flowers. (yes, there are those who have actually done that).  Be on time but not a half hour early for an interview.  Focus on your body language - loosen up during the discussion- keep eye contact and smile.  If you are the employer, send a note to the candidate after the interview letting them know their status.  Try not to switch interview times and be welcoming and hospitable to potential employees.  What you do will speak volumes about who you are.

Mike Gardner is a staffing executive and incoming President-Elect of the American Marketing Association-DC Chapter.  He specializes in helping great companies find top-level digital, marketing, advertising and PR talent.  Email him:  mike@gardnerandpartners.com

Tags: