Guest Post: Tips on Transitioning into An Agency

Through my various internships, I’ve only focused on one industry, but now as I start my professional career at Slice Communications, I have multiple clients, even more responsibilities and quite an adjustment to make. All of a sudden, I need to know the automotive industry, wealth management and legal jargon.

One month into the job, I have acknowledged three tips to make the transition easy and far from overwhelming.

1.) Stay Organized
This is organization in many aspects—your inbox, your desk and your documents.

Email labels and folders will become your best friend (if they weren’t already). Each client can have their own label, eliminating a full inbox and addressing other various issues.

Stay organized off the computer as well by keeping your desk neat. Buy some physical folders (yes, they still exist) and don’t be bothered with clutter. I’m finding at the drop of a hat, I need to provide information for a client and organization makes—what could be a hectic experience—one that is cool, calm and collected.

2.) Research
In agency life, you need to know as much as you possibly can about your client as well as competitors, potential competitors and where they are positioned within their market.

The best way to stay on top of this is constant research and continued learning. Sign up for Smart Briefs to learn about the industry, read blogs and read the newspaper. Also, make sure to set up Google Alerts for your clients as well as competitors; this way, you’ll never miss an opportunity.

3.) Ask for Help
Transitioning into agency life is not something you are doing alone.

Think about how many others are in your position and that, at one point, your co-workers transitioned as well. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. No one will know you need it if you don’t speak up!

Have you made the transition? How did it go?