A beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. Our kids have been away with Grandma and Pappa for the past week. The discussion was about nothing and everything. Kids, life, music, work, and the benefits of LinkedIn. He knows that I have been looking for a change and was wondering how my "search was going".
I mentioned that I was getting updates from LinkedIn when new posting came up. I casually
commented to him that I had just received a notification on my phone that there was an new
Art Director job posted. I glanced at the posting, "nah" I say, but I made a mental note to check it again when I was at my computer. I put the iPhone down.
"I don't know Jodie... I'm just waiting for a sign" I say, starring out the window of the car.
I would prefer to be in the driver seat, in more ways one. There is a short lull in the conversation.
We see the same thing at the same time.
A giant billboard with the words "ART DIRECTOR WANTED".
He bursts out laughing. "Well... if that's not a sign, I don't know what is"?
"Who advertises for a specialty position like that via old school billboard! Giant letters on a sign at the side of a major highway"? I grab the iPhone again do some digging. "Are you kidding me"?!
They seem to be looking for me. My qualifications, my skill set and my experience.
I apply the following week to the email listed on the billboard, receive the auto response, so I know it made it through. I wait.
A week goes by. No word. "Hmm... August long weekend coming up, not really the time to start booking interviews" I figure. I wait another week. Still no word.
"what would I want to see from someone wanting to get hired in a creative position"?A creative approach to at least landing the interview.
A Billboard! Too expensive.
Maybe another "old school" approach?
So I create a print ad from the billboard and the job posting text.
It looks like this, and reads....It’s easier than expected to find a great Art Director combined with an equally great designer,
who also happens to be equally talented in both digital and traditional advertising and design.
I Have:
• 10 plus years experience on a creative team in an agency or design studio
• A strong traditional print design background with a solid understanding of digital production
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong presentation skills necessary for creative presentations to clients
• Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite
• Able to produce work from concept to final art work with exceptional sensitivity towards typography, photo and image manipulation and user interface design
And I am really nice to work with :)
Just to add some extra intrigue I create a new email account,
iwanttoworkatbrandhealth@gmail.com
I print out 25 copies and head to Peterborough.
On arrival I need to gather up a bit of courage. A Po'Boy and a beer at Hot Belly Mama's patio does the trick. I love this restaurant. I have got to get back to Toronto for 3:30 to get the kids.
I got to pay the cheque.
And I "gotta do the deed"!
Crossing the street I start taping up the colour copies.
SW corner of Simcoe and George. "Just keep going, just walk up to the next post".
Hold. Rip tape. Post.
Next Post. Hold. Rip tape.
Next Post.
The next post is now right in front of the Brand Health office.
I put two here for good measure.
I continue up the block. Hunter and George Streets.
Where would the Associate Creative Director and President park?
I need these two to see this the most. I look around back of the building.
Parking spots. I place several more ads back here.
Surely they can't miss these!
One print out left. I walk back around and post it on the bulletin board at Hot Belly Mama's.
It's 1:10. I have got to get back to the city.
I wait another week.
Oh dear...
My HR manager friend offers,
"It's vacation time. Probably key decision makers are away at different times so they have not had a chance to talk with each other."I wait another week.
S*I*G*H
Waiting is hard.
I am waiting.
I am also thinking...
"... A billboard on Highway 35 has expenses attached to it. You would want the maximum benefit from it. You would want to make ensure that during these last two weeks of August, as Art Director's escape the city and squeeze out the last days of summer, that you hadn't started booking interviews too soon."So I am waiting.
I am taunted by the billboard every trip up to the family cottage.
My wife reminds me to close my eyes as we come through Kirby.
I know I've gone beyond to get noticed even though I don't see any of my signs posted still.
I know my resume is spot on.
I know I can make a significant contribution to Brand Health's clients and to it's culture.
I want the interview.
Heck, "I want the job"!
Ready willing and able, I will wait some more.
