Advertising copywriter : Employers and vacancy sources

Copywriters mainly work for advertising or full-service marketing agencies. Full-service agencies offer a multidisciplinary service to clients, such as marketing and PR in addition to advertising, as many clients look for a full 'communications' package. Some larger agencies offer graduate recruitment schemes, for which early applications are advisable.

It may also be possible to work for the client directly or for digital and new media companies specialising in writing copy for websites. Web-based copywriting is a growth area.

Newspapers often employ copywriters to write advertisements, as do radio stations to write jingles. Medical copywriting for pharmaceutical companies is also an option for those with a medical/science degree. Business communication, where copywriters are employed by large companies and their work is driven by in-house reports and commercial needs, is a further possibility.

Advertising is an increasingly competitive and specialised industry, with it being one of the most popular career choices for graduates. Most job opportunities are based in London and the other major UK cities.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Brand Republic Jobs    
• Campaign  
• Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)    
• IPA Jobs Online   
• Marketing Week   
• Marketing  
• Media Week Jobs    
• Revolution Jobs  
• The Drum    
• Guardian Jobs  
• Careers service vacancy lists and websites.

Many agencies may advertise jobs on their websites. Specialist recruitment consultancies can also deal with job opportunities for creatives. However many copywriting posts are not always advertised, so speculative approaches are essential. Useful directories to help with speculative applications include:

• Creative Handbook  
• Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA)  
• Brad Insight  
• The Marketing Manager's Yearbook  

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