Sometimes, when you’re looking for a job in Marketing or Advertising, you have two main choices:
The first choice is to work directly for a big or small company, which could be a large worldwide company or a new business. In this role, you would be a part of their marketing, advertising, or even their public relations team.
The second choice is to work at a company that helps different brands with their marketing. This company is hired by brands to do their marketing work, and they might work with many brands at the same time.
These two options are quite different. So, how do you figure out which one is better for you? Here are some important things to think about when deciding between these roles and how to know if you should work on the company’s side or the brand’s side.
1. Creativity
Creativity is an absolutely essential skill to work in this sector. You need to be able think outside the box, come up with ideas, and understand how your creative idea will work in the client’s favour to help boost their business. Even so, there are differences in the creative aspect when working with a brand or agency.
• Choose an agency if you want the chance to get creative for multiple brands. You won’t be locked into one type of creative brief – you’ll get the chance to shine on various campaigns.
• Choose an in-house role if you want to focus on shaping and guiding the creative voice for one specific brand. This is a longer-term commitment.
2. Workload (and Time Management)
Both type of roles are busy. There is so much more that goes into a marketing brief or creative campaign than the average consumer sees! You need to be a dynamic individual, capable of meeting deadlines and dealing with a pretty hefty workload at times.
• Choose an agency if you are a time management superstar. You might be working with anywhere between three and seven clients at once, and you will need to be across all of them in different capacities, depending on your job. You’ve got to be able to juggle the demands of all your clients – it’s a job that definitely challenges and keeps you on your toes!
• Choose an in-house role if you’re looking for a slower-paced workload – but keep in mind that while it’s steady, it can often be predictable and very same-same. This isn’t a bad thing, but more creative types keep to get their juices flowing might find themselves looking for more of a challenge.
3. Career Growth
No matter how content you are in your role, you should always be thinking about the next step and striving to prove yourself to get there. The pace at which you can move up the ranks differs between brands and agencies, but both typically depend on how quick vacant roles come up.
• Choose an agency if you want unlimited opportunities and the chance to try your hand at a few different roles. Many agencies (particularly smaller ones) offer the chance for you to dabble in some job-sharing, as well as mucking in to help colleagues on various accounts when they need extra hands. It’s great way to build skills fast.
• Choose an in-house role if you want sure and steady growth to the top. It might take you longer, but there is often a clear career path to move up the ladder. Proving yourself takes time but there’s often a direct path to management, if you can stick it out!
4. Money
Ah, money. Isn’t this what everyone want to know about? While it shouldn’t be a deciding factor, we know it does make a difference. It’s hard to say whether agency or in-house pays more, because it very much depends on the job you have, but for less senior roles here’s what we reckon:
• Choose an agency if you’re content with starting at the bottom and working your way up. Do your research (some agencies pay more than others) but typically you can earn big bucks as long as you prove yourself by getting excellent results for your clients.
• Choose an in-house role if you’re okay with waiting longer to get a promotion, but potentially starting on a higher wage. Especially if you’re on the corporate side, the paycheck is going to be bigger – but a lot of deliverables are expected of you.
FAQ on In-house vs. Agency
Q1: What’s the difference between an in-house job and working at an agency?
A1: An in-house job means working directly for a specific company, while an agency job involves working for a company that provides services to multiple clients. In-house focuses on one brand, while agency work involves various brands.
Q2: Which job offers more job security, in-house or agency?
A2: Generally, in-house roles tend to offer more stability as you’re a direct part of the company. Agency jobs can vary based on client needs, which might impact job security to some extent.
Q3: Do in-house jobs or agency roles offer more diverse experience?
A3: Agency roles often provide a wider range of experiences since you work on multiple projects for different clients. In-house roles offer a deep understanding of a single brand’s operations.
Q4: Which job typically offers better work-life balance, in-house, or agency?
A4: Work-life balance can vary in both, but in-house roles might be more predictable due to focusing on one brand. Agencies could have busier periods when dealing with multiple clients’ demands.
Q5: In terms of career growth, should I choose in-house or agency?
A5: Both paths offer growth. In-house can lead to higher positions within a specific company. Agency roles can offer faster exposure to various industries and skills, which could lead to broader career opportunities.
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