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A career in advertising?
To become a Graduate Trainee in 2011 will be tough, but read on:
Graduates who make the cut are problem solvers, think outside the square, digital and tech-savvy, demonstrate superior communication skills and a passion for the industry. Advertising is a creative industry, at the forefront of technological change and competition for the limited number of spaces available is intense.
But one of the advantages is you don’t necessarily need a defined advertising/marketing education path to succeed. We encourage graduates from all academic disciplines to apply:
Maybe you’ve completed a degree in accounting, but don’t want to spend the rest of our life crunching numbers. You’ve finished a law degree, but the prospect of working wearing a wig doesn’t appeal. Or you’ve studied philosophy, but are still unsure what Socrates was on about. Above all we’re looking for fresh minds…
But…and it’s a big ‘but’: Advertising, like most profession and industries was hit hard by the tough economic times in late 2008 and 2009. It is highly likely that 2011 will be just as tough.
Our message to 2011 hopefuls is this. Only the very best of the best are likely to be placed with Sydney and Melbourne agencies in 2011 - the cream of the cream. Next year we’ll see that classic dilemma of economics – supply and demand – in action, the supply of promising new talent will outstrip the demand by host ad agencies. The ad business is resilient, it will bounce back. Advertising people are, by nature, optimists. But it will be tough! At this stage we're guessing 20 spots will be available in Sydney & 10 spots in Melbourne.
DATES
WHAT WE’RE OFFERING
A BIT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM
OTHER OPTIONS
26 YEARS OF PLACING HIGH ACHIEVING GRADUATES
WHY ACCREDITATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE
WHERE THE PROGRAM WILL BE RUN
HEY, DON’T BELIEVE US
ENTRY CRITERIA – A FEW RULES
THE NEXT STEP
APPLYING FOR THE GRADUATE TRAINEE PROGRAM
THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL
Dates
IMPORTANT PROGRAM DATES
Melbourne Information Night September 16 - 6pm Leo Burnett, Level 7, 28 Freshwater Place, Southbank Vic
RSVP by September 10 to graduatetrainees@communicationscouncil.org.au
This information night is not compulsory
Sydney Information Night September 23 - 6pm M&C Saatchi, 99 Macquarie St. Sydney NSW
RSVP by September 17 to graduatetrainees@communicationscouncil.org.au
This information night is not compulsory
Applications Close 5pm, October 15
Finalists notified by email October 21
Sydney Selection Day October 28. You will be given the venue address once you have been chosen as a finalist.
Melbourne Selection Day November 3. You will be given the venue address once you have been chosen as a finalist.
Note: It is possible that some agencies may wish their selected grads to start earlier, in November 2011. Please indacate on your application whether you would be happy to start then. Otherwise...
Sydney Summer AdSchool (live-in) Monday to Friday - 31 January 2011 - 4 February 2011
Program Starts at Agency 7 February 2011
What we’re offering
You’ll embark on a career in account management, strategic planning, digital or any number of positions in one of the most interesting, challenging, creative, innovative industries on the planet. Where the idea is king.The first thing to understand though is that a career in advertising is not only about making ads. The ad is often simply the end product. As an account manager or strategic planner for example, you’ll analyse all aspects of your client’s market, work with consumers to gain an insight into attitudes and intentions and develop strategies to effectively engage the target market. If you’ve watched ‘The Gruen Transfer’ you probably have some insight into the mysteries of the advertising business. If you haven’t watched Gruen you might not be the inquisitive person we’re after. (Or if you were busy doing that last big assignment, you could always go to their website). Want to know more? Here is some recommended reading, suggested by current trainees:

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A bit more about the Program
Successful candidates will be trained and take up a nine month contract & start a career - very probably starting in account management - although this may then lead to other positions in the agency. (The program does not necessarily lead to a job in creative, if you fancy yourself as the next award-winning art director or copywriter and that’s all you want to do – check out AWARD School on www.awardonline.com) All selected Sydney and Melbourne graduates are required to complete a five-day live-in Summer AdSchool Foundation at the Sydney University Village. After this induction, you’ll spend nine months at your agency learning about the different services provided by today’s advertising & marketing communications companies. Throughout the year, there’s a formal program of monthly meetings with talks from inspirational speakers and industry leaders at all participating agencies. This experience, and networking with other trainees, will help you better understand the business.
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27 years of placing high achieving graduates
Many of our former trainees currently hold top positions in some of Australia's leading agencies. Here are some examples: Matthew Melhuish CEO, BMF Advertising; Matt Cumming, Head of Creative, M&C Saatchi; James Graham, Managing Director, McCann Worldgroup, Melbourne; Shaun Branagan, Creative Director, AdPartners; Leo Premutico, Founder, Johannes Leonardo, New York; Steve Anastasiadis, General Manager, Saatchi & Saatchi, Sydney; Martin Trevaskis, Editor, Campaign Brief, Perth.The Graduate Trainee Program has a 27-year history of turning over 370 bright young graduates of today into agency leaders of tomorrow.
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Why Accreditation makes a difference
Agencies enrolled in the Council's Accreditation can participate in the graduate trainee program. Accreditation is your guarantee that your agency is committed to its staff, professional training and best practice compliance with advertising laws and codes.Accreditation also incorporates professional human resource programs, including induction and performance review processes. It will ensure your career gets off to a great start. Find out more, click on the Accreditation icon on this website now.
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Hey, don’t believe us.
Talk to one of this years’ Graduate Trainees at any of the 2010 agencies, maybe even check out Grads on Facebook. You’ll probably learn that advertising is a potent cocktail of hard work, frustration, inspiration, satisfaction and fun. Participating agencies in the past three years included: 303 Advertising, Adcorp Australia, AJF Partnership, Badjar Ogilvy, The Brand Agency, BMF, Clemenger, SapientNitro, DDB, Droga5, Euro RSCG, Gatecrasher Advertising, George Patterson Y&R, H&T, Innovatio, Lavender*, Leo Burnett, Loud, Lowe, Host, M&C Saatchi, Mark Agency, Marketforce, MJW Advertising, Publicis Mojo, Saatchi & Saatchi, Sudler & Hennessey, The Campaign Palace, The Furnace, The Works, Three Drunk Monkeys, Trilogy Advertising, Whybin/TBWA.
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Entry Criteria – a few rules
You need to:
- Be an Australian citizen & permanent resident Not be currently employed in an advertising agency. Possess a university, TAFE or approved private tertiary degree in any discipline (or be confident that you will graduate by the end of second semester 2010 – failure to do so will disqualify you from the program
- Be available on the important dates above
Trainees are paid a basic salary over the nine-month period. While the program doesn’t guarantee trainees on-going employment, you will most likely score the job if you have the right attitude and the right cultural fit. You have nine months – the normal gestation period - to shine and impress your team.
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The next step
Complete the Application Form following and answer the twelve questions. Plan your well-earned break from the slog of uni around the following dates. They are not negotiable and to qualify you positively, absolutely must attend at each stage.
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Applying for the Graduate Trainee Program
Ten questions (to be advised) that could start you on a career in advertising. When answering these questions, step out of assignment mode and into an advertising and marketing communications world. A world where a great idea can turn dust into magic. Rub the lamp and show us your genius.Email us a Word document (no fancy attachments please) that contains:
The standard stuff
The first page will be your name, address, fixed and mobile phone numbers, email address and details & evidence of your tertiary degree.Tell us which city you’d prefer to work in (bear in mind you’d have to get yourself there for interviews).Don’t forget your CV with all the detail you can supply in no more than 2 pages.
The important stuff
Now take the time to complete these twelve questions.

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The devil is in the detail
Double-check your application:
Your name, address, contact details, your city of preference and a two page CV (no longer!). Carefully considered answers to all twelve questions. Double-check they’re no longer than 100 words each.
Re-read your application and spell-check. Then check again!
Attention to detail will be part of your assessment…and your career in advertising. Complete and send to graduatetrainees@communicationscouncil.org.au (If you send it before, we’ll know you’re a very well organised person. If we get it afterwards it will be too late). In return you will receive two emails from us: Confirmation that we have received your application. Notification as to whether you have made the short list.Good luck. (No, not really, luck will have very little to do with it).
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