Six in the Mix - Executives Meet an Average of Six Candidates Before Filling
an Advertising/Marketing Job, According to Survey by The Creative Group

TORONTO, July 20 /CNW/ - Job seekers in the creative field who have landed an interview may be wondering how many other candidates they're up against. According to a new survey by The Creative Group, advertising and marketing executives said they meet with six applicants, on average, before filling an open position in their department.

The Canadian study was developed by The Creative Group, a specialized staffing service providing creative, advertising, marketing and web professionals on a project basis, and conducted by an independent research firm. It is based on more than 250 telephone interviews -- approximately 200 with marketing executives randomly selected from companies with 100 or more employees and 50 with advertising executives randomly selected from agencies with 20 or more employees.

Advertising and marketing executives were asked, "On average, how many candidates are interviewed by your agency/firm before an advertising/marketing position is filled?" The mean response was six.

The Creative Group Hiring Index for Marketing and Advertising Professionals, a quarterly study that tracks the employment outlook in the marketing and advertising field, shows an uptick in hiring for the next three months. But companies are still selective when adding to their creative teams, noted Lara Dodo, a vice president with The Creative Group's Canadian operations. "Given the high calibre of talent currently available, employers are being prudent in their hiring and are weighing their options before extending an offer."

Added Dodo, "By taking the time to thoughtfully prepare for the interview, including researching the company and substantiating previous accomplishments, job seekers can impress hiring managers and land the job."

The Creative Group offers seven tips to help job seekers stand out when meeting with potential employers:

    
    1.  Do your prep work. Applicants who uncover beyond-the-basics knowledge
        of the job and company are better able to communicate specific ways
        they can contribute to the organization's success. Visit the firm's
        website, Facebook page or Twitter feed; search online for news
        articles; and ask people in your network if they have any insight
        about the company.

    2.  Put your best foot forward from the start. Be polite to the reception
        staff when you check in, and smile and behave warmly with everyone
        you meet. Resist the urge to text a friend or send a tweet while you
        wait in the lobby; you'll make a better impression by sitting
        patiently and reading.

    3.  Be aware of body language. Subtle cues, such as your eye contact,
        facial expressions and posture, will affect how hiring managers
        perceive you. While practicing a mock interview, ask a friend for
        feedback on any distracting habits.

    4.  Have a good story to tell. Be prepared to provide memorable anecdotes
        about how you have helped solve business problems. Describe the
        challenge, talk about your actions and outline the final results.

    5.  Come with interesting questions. This isn't the time to inquire about
        salary or paid vacation. Instead, ask the hiring manager to describe
        an aspect of the job that might surprise you or what the team's
        process is for collaborating on projects. Doing so reinforces your
        interest in the position and company while providing you with useful
        information that can help you determine if the job is a good fit.

    6.  Be yourself. A hiring manager wants to get to know a real person --
        one he or she would be happy to see every morning at the office.
        Avoid rehearsed responses and interact in a way that's honest and
        genuine.

    7.  Remain positive. If you don't get the job but have developed good
        rapport with the interviewer, request feedback on what you might have
        done better; you'll pick up tips that may help in your next
        interview. If you accept rejection graciously, you may even put
        yourself first in line for the company's next opening.
    

About The Creative Group

The Creative Group specializes in placing a range of highly skilled creative, advertising, marketing and web professionals with a variety of firms on a project basis. The Creative Group's internal account managers typically have prior experience working within the creative industry, which helps them better understand their clients' needs and their freelancers' unique talents. Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., the firm has offices in major markets in Canada and across the United States. More information, including online job-hunting services, candidate portfolios and The Creative Group's award-winning career magazine, can be found at www.creativegroup.com.

For further information: Kristie Perrotte, [phone], [email protected]