Been There

A Brand Called You

Dear Mentors:

I'm a recent graduate and am currently job hunting for a junior art director position at agencies that do work that inspires me.  I was having a job hunting discussion with an employed friend, and he made a remark about how I would probably get hired 'because' I'm a woman and that it's more interesting for the men upstairs to have some females around the male dominated agency.  I thought he was joking at first but he looked so serious and explained that it's just how it works. I guess I'm just hoping to confirm that my role as a female will empower me, but that my ideas, enthusiasm and drive are what will get me the job. Is the industry that shallow and chauvinistic, or can I remain hopeful that there is still integrity and a strong desire to do amazing creative work without allowing gender to interfere with that?

Am I just being naive?

Hoo boy, ye who writes, you open a large, creepy can of worms.

The idea that your presence might be more "interesting" to the gents upstairs is surprising to me, cause that's what traffic and media young-slender-things are for. Generally, what I've heard in my career is--disappointingly--that there is a quota of sorts to fill in the creative department. Creative departments lack women, therefore they want women. It's just the way things are. I have often, in fact, asked myself if my success in this business is based on my brain or, in part, my vagina.

This is not the conversation I hoped to have in public, fyi.

Listen, your role as a woman WILL empower you. You have something the men don't. And quite honestly, what the women don't, either. You have you. You are unique and your own brand, and in your brand lies your ideas, your enthusiasm, your drive and, guess what else: your female instinct. Which, combined, will allow you to interview THEM as much as they're interviewing YOU. All these qualities can be your friend, can help you sniff out the shallow, chauvinistic ones (yes, they do exist) and say "sorry, not interested" and let you pursue the ones that recognize you for the right reasons. Your brains. Your talent. Your capabilities. Your possibilities.

One day you will find an agency who appreciates you for all these things and exploits you just like they do to every man in the house. Amen for that. I think.

- Ellen Steinberg

Offensive Behavior

Q: My creative department is a major boys' club, and always has been. I'm a female junior creative. How do I balance sticking up for what I believe in by calling someone out on public behavior that offends me (and the other handful of women in the department), with the knowledge that doing so will get me labeled as a humorless bitch and may hurt my career?

If you’re cringing at something someone says chances are the other guys in the department are too. I think you need to say something if it’s really bad. People will be relieved that you did. Usually it’s a one bad apple kind of thing. I’ve worked in departments where I was the only female and I always found common ground with my male colleagues. Things like passion for doing great work and the bitterness that comes from not being able to sell it can bond a group beyond gender, age or sexual bias. And besides most assholes are hacks so who cares what they say.

- Lara Palmer

Market Value

Q: How do you broach the topic of finances with a potential employer when you feel you are worth more than their initial offer?

Speak to the person who offered you the job and explain (unemotionally) why you feel that the salary is not appropriate for the skills you bring to the job. If you have any facts gathered from friends or headhunters about salaries for similar positions, use them in the conversation. If your potential employer won't budge, you have two choices.

1.  Decide that what you'll get out of this job is beyond money and take the job. But, keep interviewing.
2.  Go see if you can get another offer.  Then use that as leverage.  For better or worse, in my years in the business I've never asked for a raise without having another job offer on the table. You'd be amazed at how your value goes up overnight. Even when you have a job, you should book several interviews a year. Isn't there a place you'd love to work? Call them and try to get someone there to look at your book. Call again in six months. Interviewing helps you stay on top of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your market value.

Managing your career money-wise is not easy.  Never move for money alone. You have to love the work you're doing and the people you work with. On the other hand, this is your career. Eventually you'll need to be making enough money to live and save. So, don't be afraid to push. Companies pay as little as they can get away with. My second job was at a small boutique agency in the southwest. I loved the job and the people, but could barely get by on the salary. I found another job for more money and demanded that my current agency match it. My agency agreed to match it, but warned me that it would mean no one else in the company would get a raise that year. I took the raise at my current agency. But, the attempt at manipulating me left a bad taste in my mouth. I found a better job within six months. Don't let companies manipulate you. Manage your own career.

- Joyce King Thomas

Giving it 100% (times 3)

Q: I'd love to be a creative director some day. But I'd also like to be a mother and everything I hear about the need for 100% job focus at the top makes me fearful I would truthfully have to make a choice. Can a mom in the group please tell me how you do it?

Let me start by saying, if you want kids, have them.
This is a life decision that I personally wouldn’t let my career get in the way of.

Managing a creative director’s life and a home life is really hard. But it’s hard for anyone who wants to be exceptional at her job and still have a family.

It’s true, to be a half decent creative director, you have to be 100% dedicated.
But also to be a good mother, you have to be 100% dedicated.
And to be a good spouse, you have to be 100% dedicated. (People often forget about this one, but it’s really, really important to your happiness.)

So how do I give 300% and balance the three?

I’ll tell you how I manage and manage to have a pretty happy life. And for me that’s the ultimate goal.

First, I realized there is no such thing as balance. One is always out weighing the other. I’m constantly deciding which way I’m going to tilt the balance.

Secondly, whatever I’m doing, I give it my full attention. So when I’m at work, I work.  And I work my ass my off and I’m totally focused.

When I’m at home, I’m at home. I’ll keep my cell on or check my e-mail if I have some unfinished work or a deadline looming, but otherwise I try to keep away from work. I’m unapologetic about the importance of having a life outside of work. I think it makes me better at what I do.

Most importantly, I have great support. I work for an enlightened company. I work with really talented people I trust.  And I have a great spouse: someone who understands when I have to work late or travel and is willing to help out.

Being a great CD, a great mother and a great spouse are not mutually exclusive.
You can do whatever you want.  You just have to work at it. Good luck.

-Judy John

Finding Your Match

Q: What are your observations on gender?  I'm an intern right now and my first ever partner (male) is really nice but he's also aggressive. When we present our ideas to the CD he's always the first to jump in. I end up looking like the sidekick. I can hardly get a word in. Is that a guy thing?

Ahhh the gender question. Unfortunately this question is not black or white but rather situational.  I have had some male partners be extremely aggressive and I have equally been the aggressive one. When creative partnerships first start out, there is a tendency to prove to each other who is the better/stronger partner; this may be what you are going through.  I always found it not particularly constructive. I am not sure if you and your partner started the internship at the same time, but that is also a factor. There might be an " I know more" attitude. The best thing is to confront your partner and tell him your desire to present the work. I always found talking to my partner about how we should present helpful before the meeting. That way you can be better aligned when presenting work.

As for a male or female partner, choose the person not the gender that best fits you creative ambitions.  I have had male and female partners that I loved working with and hanging out with, but when it came to doing breakthrough work, we sucked together. My best success has been with a man, but that's because we had the same creative ambitions to do great work.  Neither of us would let anything fall through the crack.We never hung out socially, but we share a lot of awards together.

Good luck.

Christina Yu