How to Break into Account Planning

12 things to get an entry-level Advertising Strategy position

Finding a Junior Planner role these days is harder, but not impossible.

Lay-offs, recession, budget cuts…trying to get your foot in the door in advertising as a recent grad (or career pivot) is not without its perils these days. And if your dreams include being part of an agency’s strategy department — which tend to operate with smaller teams and with clients that favor staffing with senior planners — it can be especially daunting. But here you are, wanting to break into the brand or creative strategy world. This Brand Director wants to help you.

Here are 12, real, tangible things you can do today to help you get closer to getting into strategic planning this year:

1. Network with Planning Coordinators: When these guys and gals move agencies or get promoted that means there will (more likely) be an entry-level job opening. One you can take. Keep tabs on them, not just the super-senior-C-Suite people who likely won’t know much about open positions at the junior-level. Having been in your shoes very recently, they’re more apt to help and share relevant information and leads.
2. Change your Linkedin title: recruiters are typing in “planning coordinator, or “jr. planner” into LinkedIn to find candidates. What won’t pop up? You, if your title is “CEO of <Student Ad Agency>” or “Student,” “Passionate aspiring agency talent and…