Dos and Don’ts of Seeking Jobs in a Digital Agency.

Unemployment is on the rise and with the rate of graduates higher institutions churn out yearly, the competition for the already scarce jobs will continue to be stiff. Job search is a survival of the fittest exercise, and to survive, you must have an edge over your counterparts. Unfortunately, many people seeking jobs in a digital agency have not yet mastered the rudiments of effective job search. Even if you have the necessary skills and qualifications, but apply wrongly for a job, your chances of being considered for the position will be greatly affected.

Generally, the dos and don’ts of seeking employment in every industry are similar, but if you are seeking jobs in a digital agency, there are certain things you must know. You must familiarise yourself with the uniqueness of the field so as to position yourself accurately as a job seeker. In case you are wondering how, we have listed some of the dos and don’ts of seeking jobs in a digital agency. 

Job Search Dos

• Do make sure your CV contains your professional work experiences and technical skills first before your educational background. This might not necessarily apply if you are seeking for jobs in other industries but if you are seeking jobs in a digital agency, your experience and skills are much more important and of interest to the prospective employer. It is clear that you are educated but the employer is more interested in what value you will be bringing to the table. Therefore, tailor your CV to emphasis on those areas that will give you an edge.
• Do have an online presence and let your online presence represent who you want to be portrayed as personally and professionally. Many employers go through social media accounts of applicants to see if their values align with that of the company or brand. Nobody is saying you shouldn’t have a voice or an opinion but make sure your activities online is clean and represent who you want to be portrayed as. You cannot expect to be seen differently from what you put out. Also, as a job seeker, having an account on LinkedIn is very helpful.
• Do prepare before going for an interview. The place of preparation cannot be overemphasised. No matter how skilled you are, preparation is important if you want to have an edge over other talented candidates. Don’t take the fact that you possess more experience or a great mix of skills for granted; learn all you can about the role and the company.
• Do dress appropriately and be punctual to your interview; remember your punctuality and the way you are dressed will form the first impression your employer will have of you. Even if it is a virtual interview, treat it like you would a physical interview. Be punctual, appropriately dressed, and ready as though you were in the same room with your interviewer. You want to give off the impression of a professional.
• Do network and take advantage of your connection in your job search. That’s why being active on LinkedIn is important. Find connections and communities within your field or similar fields then engage with them frequently.

Job Search Don’ts

• Don’t send a generic CV to a digital agency. Customise your CV to suit the role you are applying for. Many applicants have just one CV that they send to every job they are applying for. That is an outright no-no. You might be qualified for different roles but make sure to have a customised CV for each of those roles. The content of the CV should relate to the position applied for.
• Don’t send a CV without a well-detailed cover letter. Except where stated otherwise, every application you send out must contain your CV and a Cover Letter. Without these documents, your application will most likely be overlooked and you will lose the chance of being seen or considered. The cover letter should contain your job experiences and why you are a good fit for the role advertised. You can also include your portfolio if you have any past works to show.
• Don’t send a mail without a subject title. If the subject title to use wasn’t specified in the application instruction, use the title of the job position in your subject line.
• Don’t apply for every role, especially those you are not qualified for. Job search can be very frustrating but you also want to make sure you get a job where you can deliver and is in line with your career goals. Don’t just keep applying randomly; it is counterproductive.
• Don’t compromise growth and work-life balance for salary. Money is important but some things are more valuable than money because they will end up bringing money. For example, don’t reject employment at a company that clearly offers you growth, exposure, and other benefits just because the take-home isn’t your dream salary. When you become an expert and have more value to offer, your income will definitely increase. On the other hand, you should consider your happiness as well and don’t trade that for money. Opportunity for self-development, as well as quality time to spend with family and friends is important for a wholesome life; make sure the job will afford you that.

Now that you have gone through the dos and don’ts of seeking jobs in a digital agency, it is only a matter of time before you get your dream job, as far as you apply what you’ve learnt.