Advertising account executive : Employers and vacancy sources

The majority of opportunities occur in the larger advertising agencies, which employ 80% of the total workforce. Many of the larger agencies are part of an international advertising/media group, possibly with several branches throughout the UK, although they may work as autonomous companies.

Typically, a larger employer will have between 50 and 80 employees, although some agencies have over 300. Smaller companies can range in size from five to 15 people.

A growing trend amongst larger agencies is to offer a multidisciplinary service to clients, such as marketing in addition to advertising, as many clients will be looking for a full 'communications' package. This trend is mainly apparent amongst agencies in London, but is also evident in agencies elsewhere in the UK.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Brand Republic Jobs    
• Campaign  
• Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)   
• Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA)  
• Mad  
• Marketing Week    
• Marketing  
• Media Week Jobs  
• Revolution Jobs    
• The Drum    
• Guardian Jobs  

The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s (CIM) online marketing careers resource getin2marketing  includes a database of marketing graduate schemes and placements, which includes advertising roles. The CIM resource also has a list of recruitment agencies specialising in advertising and marketing that may help you source employment.

Alternatively, many advertising job seekers find jobs through speculative applications to agencies. The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA)  has a list of agency members listed on its website, including relevant contact details.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.