Six things I’ve learned about landing (and thriving in) a dream creative job
Six things I’ve learned about landing (and thriving in) a dream creative job
ACM'S Head of Creative and Strategy Mark Rosenberg on how to kick down the door to your perfect gig
Six things I’ve learned about landing (and thriving in) a dream creative job
Since starting at ACM a year-ish ago, I’ve taken full advantage of the agency’s remote working policy to live in Copenhagen, Cornwall and London. (Next stop: tbc.) As a team, we’ve been surfing, climbing and hiking; experienced London Design Week, film festivals, and a bunch of other events together; and found fresh motivation on some amazing trips. We’ve won a slew of new clients, almost doubled the agency in size, and made work that I’m super proud of for some of the world’s leading outdoor brands. The momentum’s building, too, as we continue adding to our team of inspiring, egoless folk, and creating a culture that safeguards against growing pains. The vibe at ACM, it’s safe to say, is surreally high.
The words “dream job” get bandied about a lot. But for me, this is as close as it gets.
Over the years, I’ve landed some epic jobs: I cut my teeth in the snowboard and surf media industries in Innsbruck and on the Gold Coast, then did a stint at DC Shoes, before working at creative agencies on pitches and campaigns for Quiksilver, the World Surf League, Nike, and now adidas. What all these dream jobs have in common, though, is that the hardest part was breaking into them. But once I got a taste for this creative work, it was hard to imagine doing anything else. Don’t get me wrong, almost every career path takes the odd unplanned detour and I’ve done time in plenty of jobs that are far from perfect. But seeing money land in your account for doing something you genuinely enjoy with like-minded people? It’s addictive.
So, knowing that the first steps will almost always be the toughest, these are my six tips for getting a foot in the door, and keeping it wedged in there.
*Disclaimer. I’m aware that as a cisgender white bloke, it has all come a bit easier for me. If anyone out there needs a hand to apply these learnings to their own situation, please drop me a line. I’m happy to help as best I can.
1. NETWORK AND GROW A THICK SKIN
Figure out who’s working at the brands, organisations, or agencies you dig. Your brief? Make sure they know your name.
Guess their emails (it’s pretty easy), slide into their LinkedIn DMs, drop comments on company Instas, and get your Meta mingling on. Let them know what you’re all about, what your point of view is, and, eventually, why you want to work for them. Someone with the gumption to put themselves out there has a huge advantage over people merely responding to a job ad.
After you’ve made contact, keep it rolling – in a mellow, non-creepy way, of course. They may not be able to offer you a job there and then, but they’ll pass your details on and keep you in the loop. Anyone who ignores or ghosts you at this stage probably isn’t someone you want to work with anyway.
There’ll be rejections and knockbacks along the way, but if you refuse to settle, it’ll happen for you.
As your career evolves, it’s also wise to accumulate a few mentors. You may have worked for them in the past, or they may be industry figures you suspect you can learn from. These are the people you want to lean on for advice, or a job reference when the time comes to submit an application. Good recruiters are a godsend, too. Big shoutout to everyone who’s sung my praises over the years.
2. UPSKILL AND GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
In the olden days (my 20s) I worked as a snowboard and surf “journalist”. There were trips abroad aplenty, discounted products, even use of the stickered-up company 4WD, which I misguidedly thought brought some serious cred on the Gold Coast circa 2010. But then people stopped buying magazines, the perks disappeared, and the realisation that I was getting paid a pittance to ply a dying trade made me question my career choices. That, plus the fact I could only pick up the scraps when my local (and closely guarded) break Burleigh Heads was on, really dialled up the imposter syndrome.
Around this time, a mate got me an in with a creative agency in Sydney, with scary (at the time) clients like insurance companies and telcos. I was out of my comfort zone, but the place was headed up by talented folk and had the work-hard, play-hard culture I thrived on. I was thrown in at the deep end and, again, the inevitable imposter syndrome set in (mainly because my action sports experience didn’t quite translate to blue-chip brands). But six months later, I’d settled in and could speak acronym with the best of them. One year on, a pay rise came through. Two years later, I was equipped with a new nous for business, and an understanding of how to add substance to creative ideas.
My point is, if you can get comfortable with being uncomfortable, you’ll grow your skillset. And that’s the springboard to your next big thing.
3. WATCH THE PACK
You should focus on your own creativity and the work your agency or brand is putting out, but it’s foolish to ignore the competition. Staying across what your peers are doing means you’ll never rest on your laurels; if someone’s doing something better than you, understand why, then use it as fire. Constantly comparing yourself with the world can be toxic, but observing things healthily can be extremely motivating.
Similarly, stay abreast of emerging photographers, directors and production teams doing slick work. Endless scrolling on Instagram and YouTube is an easy way to waste time, but the tailored feeds it creates can serve up endless potential talent to partner with.
4. ADD SUBSTANCE TO YOUR IDEAS
Rightly or wrongly (though, probably rightly), creatives have a reputation for being a bit “my way or the highway”, which is just a nice way of saying egomaniacal. Yes, conviction is critical, but you don’t want to be “that person”. At ACM, we’re not afraid to have tough conversations internally and with clients. In fact, they’re inevitable: good ideas often divide people.
While things may sometimes get heated, if you can back up your claims with substance, you’ve got a much better chance of scoring (and keeping) the dream job (or client) you’ve worked so hard to get.
5. WORK HARD… AND BE NICE
Self-explanatory, really.
It’s important to note that creativity doesn't always fit into a nine-to-five schedule, but that doesn't mean working 14-hour days either. It may be needed occasionally, but it should NEVER be the norm. Working hard isn’t about putting in absurd hours. It’s about learning how to tailor your time and find a work-life balance. After all, the best ideas often materialise when you’re surfing, running, sitting around a campfire without phone reception, or you’re two negronis deep on a night out.
If people are expecting you to work 14-hour days on the regular, they’re not being nice, so sack them off.
6. BE A CURIOUS SPONGE
Read and watch a lot; experience as much of the relevant culture as you can; and always, always, ask why. Understanding culture is key to being a successful advertising and comms creative, and action sports and outdoor cultures are as niche as they come. At ACM, we’re experts in these worlds, but we continue to learn: we’re actively trying to make them more inclusive, because right now they certainly ain’t.
To do that, it helps to understand how and why they became what they are. By combining that understanding with reflections on wider cultural trends and events, we can learn why things have to change, and how we (and our partners) can make that happen.
By soaking up everything around you and applying it to your own thinking, you’ll begin to get a picture of what culture-shifting ideas look like. It’ll permeate into whatever you create, from the big idea to casting, writing, production, and every step in between. And that makes you incredibly useful to brands, agencies and clients.
WHAT’S NEXT?
A lot of people scoff at the notion that advertising can change the world for the better, but I reckon it can. For me, it’s a big part of this dream job I have now: ensuring the work we do at ACM redefines what action sports and outdoor culture look like. And I’m lucky to be able to do this with the best team around.
If you’re based in Europe and ACM sounds like it could be a dream place to work for you, please slide into my DMs anytime.
Awesome post bro. Totally agree the hardest part as an adventure sport photographer was getting known in the industry. Once you get the stamp of approval with a brand on a shoot it gets easier. Would love to see more of these articles!
Thanks for these words, well written and hits me right on spot.