Expert: Sean Trapani - 4/6/2007

Question
Hi Mr Trapani!

Recently I sought your advice on media buying / planning. And eventhough I didn't get anyway near that, nor account management, I was grateful about the advice. I've applied for account executive positions advertised on job sites, and didn't get any reply. That was until I saw an Admin Assistant position with an accredited full service ad agency, & thought I'd apply to see which one got me in faster. Strangely, I was granted an interview on Good Friday (April 06, 2007). Quite sudden considering it was less than 24 hours after submitting my application, and less than 3 hours from the initial call to attend the interview. At the end of the interview, I was offered the position. Just when I thought my former pay was the lowest, the pay offered was lower than the civil service job that I had left. Wage and distance aside. I know I sounded choosy / fussy, but I'm wondering about two things: Admin Assistant in ad agency sounded like Traffic Coordinator (gulp). Next will there be any career opportunities, such that I am able to move to other departments through this path. Or is this gonna be the well that I'd get stuck in. I have requested for time extension on the pretext of other impending interviews, just so that I can consider this offer. And there are a lot of grey areas still.

I've spoken to family and friends, almost all of them told me to drop the offer, as it doesn't take a university degree to land an admin job, and the pay is just too unattractive.

In spite of it all, I'm still clear about my career objective & am determined to work towards it. By the way, what's your take on sending applications for entry-level position through cold calling (via e-mailing) to ad agencies? Will there be a window of opportunity?

Gil'

Answer
Hi, Gil

I was curious - if you don't mind sharing - which direction you chose to take.