Kristina Olsen, an aspiring copywriter from Norway, shared her journey to breaking into advertising on the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast. Her viral LinkedIn post, "Your New Favorite Intern," captured the attention of thousands and showcased her creativity and determination.
The post that went Viral: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kristina-o-586291133_internshipseason-internship2024-advertisingintern-activity-7184280349483429889-Pq3t?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Here are the key takeaways from her story.
1. Use Your Story to Stand Out
Kristina’s path wasn’t typical. She moved from Norway to New York to study marketing, only to discover her passion for advertising later. Reflecting on her decision, she shared:
"I realized that one day I would regret not going back to New York. So I convinced my parents and came here for a degree in marketing."
She later pivoted to advertising during the pandemic, proving that your journey doesn’t have to be linear to be impactful.
Takeaway: Highlight your unique experiences in your applications and interviews. Your background can set you apart.
2. Reinvent How You Market Yourself
Tired of traditional cover letters, Kristina created a product manual titled Your New Favorite Intern to present herself as a brand. It combined her writing, art direction, and humor concisely and engagingly.
"When you’re applying for a job, you’re selling yourself. So I thought, why not create an instructional manual as if I were a product?"
She shared the slides on LinkedIn with the caption, “Dear hiring managers, this could be yours,” which quickly went viral.
Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to break from convention. Think creatively about how to showcase your skills in a way that captures attention.
3. Leverage LinkedIn as a Creative Platform
Kristina’s LinkedIn post went viral and connected her with professionals worldwide.
"I got so many new connections and messages from people saying they loved my work and wanted to help."
LinkedIn isn’t just for formal updates. Kristina’s experience proves it can be a space for creativity and networking.
Takeaway: Use LinkedIn to showcase your work, connect with industry professionals, and demonstrate your personality. It’s a powerful tool for self-promotion.
4. Seek Growth, Even in Rejection
Despite the post’s success, Kristina didn’t land an agency role immediately. Still, she secured an internship with a company that admired her creativity.
"I didn’t get into an agency, but I got an amazing internship opportunity because of that post. It showed me there are many paths to growth."
Takeaway: Rejections are not the end. They can lead to unexpected opportunities. Keep pushing forward.
5. Be Persistent and Champion Yourself
Breaking into advertising isn’t easy. Kristina emphasized the importance of persistence:
"Keep knocking on doors. Even if you get a hundred ‘no’s, stay delusional and keep going. Advocate for yourself, even if you feel imposter syndrome creeping in."
Takeaway: Stay determined. Consistency and confidence can open doors over time.
6. Stay Curious
Kristina’s creativity is fueled by her curiosity.
"A professor once told me to never stop pursuing what interests you. If you’re fascinated by something, dive into it. You never know what ideas it might spark."
For Kristina, this meant studying vintage Marlboro ads late into the night.
Takeaway: Let your interests guide you. Exploring new ideas and topics can inspire your work.
Advice for Aspiring Advertisers
Kristina’s journey offers practical advice:
Create a unique portfolio: Experiment with unconventional formats that highlight your strengths.
Network authentically: Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals.
Embrace imperfection: Start small and build on your ideas.
Be patient: Success takes time. Keep learning and improving.
Kristina encourages others to reach out on LinkedIn, where she continues to share her work and inspire others.
"Breaking into advertising is a numbers game, but with persistence, creativity, and curiosity, you’ll find your way."
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