Foul-ball Home Run

I’ve lost count how many cover letters I’ve written, and how many résumés I’ve sent out. I’d have to think hard to remember all the great meetings I’ve had where excitement is high. I’m sure everyone here on Whole 9 has stacks of stories regarding the frustrating, grueling, often embarrassing process of finding a good company to work for. It’s harder in creative environments where performance is so subjective.

Seattle is pretty competitive. There are a lot of creative agencies in a dense environment. And the workforce is educated, talented, but more importantly, well connected. Social media, Web 2.0 is no longer just the product produced by media houses, but it is also the modi operandi. Social media is becoming the functioning ethos, and it’s pretty cool, if you can grasp it.

I’ve noticed it. But more so, it’s spelled out for me by a friend of mine and partner in a marketing agency here in Seattle. A quote from her goes, “Anthony, get your ass on Twitter.” She continues to keep me in the loop by sharing with me evolutionary steps in the Facebooks and the Twitters and such. It’s up to me to recognize the language and the subtle meanings. Once I embraced this, things have become a bit easier. Or at least things are moving. Well, okay, things are just less confusing.

I see a lot how companies hire and promote. It gets messy. A TV magazine actually ran a segment on Seattle hiring practices, where those who pull stunts get the jobs. One sent breakfast to the managers everyday for a week leading up to the interview. Hired. Another stopped the interview and started giving yoga lessons. Hired. Another . . . well, it was hard to see these people looking into the camera and smiling about this.

And when you know how it works, it can be pretty soul crushing to follow the process, to write another cover letter, and throw yourself into the echoless abyss, when really it’s how people perceive and know you through the new antennae, the seventh sense of profile pages, real time updating, smart phones, and more. Some say you’re only as good as the number of connections and references in your LinkedIn world.

Last week, when I saw yet another opening at Publicis, a company I’ve written and sent three cover letters to for various positions, it was easy to loosen up, and act more naturally. Naturally, as in, there’s really nothing to lose. I spoke with a recruiter here who is familiar with Publicis, and her advice was to avoid HR, and get right to the creative directors. Probably good advice, but my social media network hasn’t drilled that far yet.

It was the ad that helped, a listing that touted the benefits of beautiful office views, cool people, beer Fridays and other company benefits that read more like a social club than a media company. And that is how agencies work; I’m not new to that. But it’s becoming more and more obvious, and fewer companies try to hide what has really become an industry of culture that panders to the generation of the cool slacker. These are exciting times.

Below is my most recent cover letter. It isn’t breakfast, or yoga, but it’s me.

Publicis West
424 2nd Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119

May 6, 2009
Attn: Publicis Human Resources

RE: Interactive Project Manager Position @ Publicis

I’m sure there’s work involved, but I’m really applying for the “breathtaking views of Puget Sound,” because nothing motivates an agency project manager like panoramic perks. If the views aren’t enough, then “decent coffee” will fill incentive gaps left behind.

And also what I am applying for is the Friday keg. I would have put that first, but didn’t want to infer that I have a drinking problem. No. While we’re on the subject, what kind of beer are we talking about?

But really, what I am applying for is the chance to surround myself with cool people – other agents of change helping to break the process of agency inbreeding by identifying bleeding edge talent previously unknown within the closed ranks of Seattle’s Microcosm (key word being “Micro”). I would have put that first, but didn’t want to appear as a crony, looking to leverage people I know and can use to get me in. That’s lame.

Okay, I admit, the floating holidays, summer Fun Fridays, and the flexible spending accounts are the real reason Publicis is so alluring. I am a big fan of boats (floating holiday), Fridays, and flexible spending. Without which, what do we really have beside views, beer and cool people? But I avoided saying that first for fear of being seen as one merely looking for a slack position.

Well, I feel so bad, and transparent. You’ve probably deduced by now that it’s all about the money, the opportunity to be paid “really well.” I have a house, various vices and habits that need funded (one less since you’re providing the beer and all), and a wife who’s threatened to leave me if I don’t land a job really soon. As a large agency, Publicis can handle the occasional cash hemorrhage without loosing momentum. I like that.

Okay fine. I need a new iMac, but feel so used paying full retail. Happy? The truth is out. I feel better now that I’ve got that off my chest. And since you find the honesty so refreshing, you owe it to us both to at least have me in for an interview. If you could make it a Friday, that would be awesome.

Best,
Anthony Godoy

PS – I am an experienced agency producer, project manager and creative director with experience in print, web and broadcast. I write, design, edit, conceptualize, schedule, meet, manage, coddle, encourage, mentor and advise. This is my third, perhaps fourth letter to Publicis applying to various positions, and as you can tell, I have nothing really to lose. We here at the Godoy house know that you have many individuals to choose from, and appreciate your interest in me.