Making the GRADe

Following the recent Grad Day 2009, we asked the successful candidate, Will Poskett, to say a few words…

Funny how things work out. Just when it seemed graduate recruitment days were following a familiar pattern:

1. Meet and greet fellow Grads
2. 'Relaxed chat' with agency people (relaxing… more like bungee jumping)
3. Hopes dashed in the final round with “Thanks, but no thanks.”

To cap it all, we're in the worst recession for years. Could things get any better? Well, yes they could, and they did! Pretty spectacularly better, to be honest. I not only got the job, but I was hired in my dream role as a Grad Account Planner.

 It certainly wasn’t easy though, as I was up against some incredibly talented people. Despite the nerves it was really interesting to learn more about Wunderman’s work, and I was pretty much blown away by the client list. The relaxed chats were followed by a 'Dragon's Den' presentation. The other candidates really raised the bar when it came to pitching their ideas, which meant I had to really go for it, too.

The adrenaline from pitching in front of everyone meant the rest of the day went pretty quickly. Thankfully, it kept me going for the one-to-one interviews. A couple of surprises – firstly that the Planning Director had actually read my blog and that the Head of Operations hails, like myself, from Lytham St Annes.

For the final part of the day, working in teams we planned and presented digital ideas for the Telegraph. I was pleased that we worked well together and came up with an idea with some strong strategic thinking behind it.

Who am I?
Five quick facts about Wunderman's new Graduate Account Planner:
• Philosophy graduate from the University of Durham.
• Recently completed a Masters degree from the University of York – results soon
• Briefly trained as an actor at a leading London drama school after graduating
• Worked as a researcher before finding my way into advertising
• Interests: theatre, film, photography