Ever want to improve the way ads run on TV? Or the radio, the 'net or on billboards? How about helping manage the rollout of new products and working to improve the perception of those products by the media? If these possibilities interest you, then you could be well suited to jobs in advertising or public relations (PR). The core activity is to take a product whether it be Snapple or Caterpillar heavy machinery and construct promotional campaigns that get people excited about the product. On the PR side you will help to manage the perception of the products. Of course, PR jobs are about much more as well. PR firms help companies, non-profits and governments manage everything from speeches and the look of brochures to major crises. Sometimes it's hard to tell where PR and advertising are different. These days, in fact, many organizations in the business refer to themselves as "strategic marketing communications consultants." Overstretched or not, there's no doubt that this field will continue to change, offering tremendous opportunities to someone with an interest in the area.

Background on Advertising Careers

• Skills & Talents Required for Advertising Careers
• Job Options in Advertising
• Salaries in Advertising
• Links & Resources for Advertising Careers
• Facts & Trends about the Advertising Business
• Top Players in Advertising

Useful Books for Exploring Advertising Jobs

• Vault Career Guide to Advertising.
• Careers in Advertising. by William Pattis.
• Pick Me: Breaking Into Advertising and Staying There. By Vonk and Kestin.
• Resumes for Advertising Careers . By VGM Career Horizons.
• Career Opportunities In Advertising And Public Relations .
• Vault Career Guide to to the Top Advertising and PR Employers.
• How to Put Your Book Together and Get a Job in Advertising: 21st Century Edition. by Maxine Paetro.
• Advertising by Moriarty, Mitchell and Wells.
• Ogilvy on Advertising
• Anybody Can Be In Advertising...It Beats Working For A Living
• Creative Advertising by Mario Pricken.
• Truth, Lies and Advertising: The Art of Account Planning by Jon Steel.
• Here's How: Approach an Advertising Agency and Walk Away with the Job You Want
• Hitting the Sweet Spot: How Consumer Insights Can Inspire Better Marketing and Advertising by Lisa Fortini-Campbell.

Advertising Job Listings

• Find Advertising Jobs on thousands of job sites with one search. Provided by Indeed.com, "a one stop shop for job seekers" (Wall Street Journal).
• Advertising Age - Job Bank
• Talent Zoo

Misc Web Resources on Advertising Jobs and Careers

• Advertising Careers Information
• American Association of Advertising Agencies on Careers
• BLS: Outlook for Careers in Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers
• Career Network - Adweek / Brandweek
• Advertising at About.com
• Career Info from the Wall Street Journal

Blogs on Advertising

• AdRants
• AdverLab
• AdverBox
• Holliday on Advertising
• Adverblog
• Consumer Culture
• Third Way Blog

Videos

• When I grow up I want to be in Advertising...
• So you want to be in Advertising
• Worst Advertising Pitches Ever
• How to Get Ahead in Advertising by Jon Steel.
• The Truth in Ad Sales
• Mad Men