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This is post is part of our summer blog series, “So You Want a Job in Advertising?” Check back for more intern insights or sign up for our RSS feed to be the first to know.

As VP of HR at Moosylvania I’ve seen a lot of candidates, resumes and portfolios all packaged to convey the same message.  “Hire Me!”  So what can you do to stand out among the masses?  How can you land the perfect job with a top advertising agency?  

First ~ You need a passion. Passion will push you to learn, to put up with, and to move forward like no job description or to do list can.  The level of action toward you passion is directly related to the level of achievement you’ll have in that field. In other words, if you’re passionate about being a professional copywriter and don’t keep a journal or write a blog, then you might need to reclassify yourself as a ‘fan’ of writing.

A heartfelt passion for people will propel you to operate in integrity and honesty. A sincere passion for your creative skill will naturally push you out of the box in a really unique way. So, identify your passion, grow it, and show it.

Second ~ Be a person people want to work with! Show up at the interview knowing how you are going to demonstrate character, and show you are the best fit for the position and the culture. The best job candidates and employees are those who can demonstrate their ability to read situations, not overreact, identify the problem, and offer solutions.

Don’t be afraid to share a unique story of how you stayed focused in a hectic situation and saved the day, or at least went out of your way to help out a fellow employee. If you don’t have a story, then volunteer somewhere until you get one.

Third ~ Know your worth. The value of something is simply determined by what people are willing to pay for it. During any interview, make sure that you articulate exactly what extra value you bring. Do research to see what the position requires, and be able to articulate how your skills meet those needs.

You need to be more than a ‘fast learner’ – you need to come knowing what you know. Top advertising agencies recognize talent.  A good agency, for you, is one who values your current capabilities and your potential capabilities.

So look back on any jobs you’ve interviewed for, and if you didn’t communicate your passion and ability for the job, or didn’t gel with the people, or didn’t see eye to eye on your value, (monetarily, or emotionally), chances are you found yourself still looking.

Have any questions you wished you could ask HR? I’ll answer if you ask using the comments below.