So along with questions like what cool accounts you'll get to
work on and whether the health plan covers IVF or
acupuncture, there are five areas of a prospective employer's
culture you should make sure to explore before signing on the
dotted line.
Cultural Immersion
There's more to success than design principles, computer
skills and copywriting chops. To do your best work, you
need full immersion into your new work culture: how
things get done, how people collaborate and the core
philosophies that tie it all together. How will your new
agency bring you up to speed?
For example, at Organic, we want our employees to
understand how our agency creates empathy with consumers,
gets into their hearts and minds, and speaks to their
needs. So we invite about 30 employees each quarter to
Camp Organic, a combination
workshop/competition/adventure that puts our employees on
the streets of Las Vegas to examine Consumerus
Americanus in its natural habitat, then develop
campaigns for a fictitious product based on their
findings.
Back at the office, our All Hands internal blog helps
people understand what's going on at the agency and why
it matters, from the tools we're using to the fun we're
having.
Professional Development
Smart agencies work to make their employees smarter.
Will your new job help establish you not only as an
agency staffer, but also as a communications industry
expert? Education is a big part of this, of course - not
just the software classes you can get anywhere, but also
more strategic sessions that prepare you for the next
step in your career.
Another approach: Organic's Three Minds blog reaches an
audience far beyond our company, giving our employees the
opportunity to develop and showcase their insight into
the broader culture within which we operate, from the
evolution of the game show to the YouTube-ization of
presidential politics.
Life-Work Balance
Okay, sure. Back in the dot-com days, you got the
impression that some companies spent more time playing
foosball than focusing on the business at hand (and we
saw how well that worked out). But there's still a lot to
be said for an agency that sees you as a complete human
being.
Little touches like pet insurance, dry cleaning, massage
and even on-site nail care can keep your stress level low
so your creativity stays high. And don't take standard
options like weekly cocktails and bagel breakfasts for
granted, either. You never miss them until they're gone -
and then you miss them a lot.
Internal Networking
At some firms, an org chart box can feel like a steel
cage. It's a lot more rewarding - and productive - when
you can easily build relationships and collaborate
throughout the company. This kind of cross-pollination
can take place both physically, in an environment with
plenty of casual meeting areas rather than fishbowl
conference rooms, and virtually. "Organism," our internal
social wiki, lets our employees create digital personal
spaces where they can share their work and workplace
experiences, express ideas and interests, explore and
grow across disciplines, and brainstorm with their
colleagues. It raises their profile at the agency, it
makes them more effective at their jobs and it builds the
kind of communities that great campaigns come from.
Values
That's right - contrary to popular opinion, we agency
types do have values. Does your prospective employer give
you a chance to act on yours? The moral benefits of green
offices, social awareness programs, pro bono projects and
a commitment to corporate responsibility can be just as
important as 401(k) matching and bring-your-dog-to-work
privileges. Being proud of the organization you work for
beats wearing a Bad Guys Inc. pass card any day.
Is this all adding up to a lot to ask for? It should.
Your job hunt is a rare opportunity to make fundamental
changes in your work life. And if the hippest places to
work are also the most professionally fulfilling - why
waste your career anywhere else?
