Unlock What Recruiters Want
Ad mgmt alum and recruiter, Ally Sofia, gives her top tips on getting hired in ADPR
By: Grace Riddering
SourceLab Search senior recruiter, Ally Sofia, knows her way around the hiring process for advertising and public relations careers. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2020 with a degree in advertising management. She started her career in the media and advertising space, but quickly realized she enjoyed talking to people and switched to the recruiting side of the ADPR industry. SourceLab is a provider of talent acquisition solutions for a wide variety of industries. Her job is to connect candidates in the SourceLab network to outside industries for public relations and advertising.
Sofia’s top qualities that she looks for when recruiting candidates are “drive and willingness to learn.” Putting yourself out there is important, employers know you aren’t going to know how to do everything fresh out of college, just show them you are willing to learn. Internships don’t have to be perfect, Ally emphasized “having relatable internships” are okay if you’ve had a few. Lastly Sofia shares that having certifications, like for Meta, Google Analytics or Trade Desk, looks good to recruiters.
Building a network in advertising and public relations is vital for success in the professional world. If a student doesn’t already know someone in the space, then messaging recruiters in public relations or advertising agencies is the next best thing.
“Connections are everything – I live and die by ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,’” Sofia said.
One of the biggest mistakes Sofia sees is aspiring employees applying to positions blindly. Sofia says that while anyone can blindly apply, it is more valuable for students to reach out to the hiring staff at the company to stand out. Sofia also recommends going to events where employers can get to know a potential new hire and later in the employment process the employer can have a face to put with the name.
Sofia recommends using AI to check your resume to make sure there are no spelling and grammar mistakes, and to use a banker resume format. This format is simple, gets to the point and recruiters appreciate this more than a colorful resume full of fluff.
Sofia says to always send a thank-you email or a thank-you note after an interview. She shared a story of a candidate who hand delivered a thank-you note, which in turn made her continue to the next round of interviewing.
As job searches can be stressful, Sofia offers two final words of advice to students: have fun.
“You guys are in college now. I would do anything to be back in your place right now – enjoy the time, don’t sweat it,” Sofia said.