Expert: Sean Trapani - 3/9/2009

Question
I have an application for an agency and am in need of advice. The first page of the application is standard, biographical info. The next 8 pages are rigorous creative tests such as mad libs and drawing exercises. I want to be an AE so I'm not sure how to go about completing the artistic/creative elements (I'm not even sure why its required) as I am a horrific drawer and I find myself only thinking "what do they want me to put?" instead of a flood of good ideas. This is a major agency and I want to impress them, should I just go for broke and try to be super creative (colors, pictures, graphics, etc.)? Should I just take the questions at face value and write honest answers? I was even thinking of handing copies of the application to my friends like a small focus group to field ideas, would you consider that cheating? Sorry for the barrage of questions but this is a comprehensive topic. Hope to hear from you soon.

Answer
Hi, Seth

It's a common misconception that creative people only work in the creative department. But in major ad agencies, that's not the case.

Successful ad agencies want EVERYONE to be creative thinkers - and apply that creativity to their professional area, be it accounting, account services, media or even administration.

So take their test. Go for broke. And have fun. If you don't get the job because you're not "wacky" enough, then you probably wouldn't be very comfortable working there in the first place.


ST