DEMONSTRATE YOUR ‘EQ’
Wolff Olins is looking for the smartest
people in the room. But rather than
academic intellect, it’s EQ (emotional
intelligence) that’s often the clincher.
“We think about client relationships,
rather than ‘jobs’ or ‘projects’,” says Chris
Moody. “So it’s critical to put yourself in
the client’s shoes. That’s not the same as
doing what a client wants: it’s accepting
that it’s your EQ and not necessarily your
IQ that makes good work great.”
BE A GREAT CONVERSATIONALIST
Focusing on relationships means Wolff
Olins is seeking candidates who can
engage people one-on-one. “We want
people who can hold an interesting
conversation, and just as importantly hold
the room,” says Sairah Ashman. “After the
best interviews, it’s the conversation that
sticks in the mind, not just the folio.”
BE AN IDEAS PERSON
You know those ‘skill level’ pie-charts
you see on CVs these days? Forget them:
Wolff Olins isn’t that interested. “We’re
storytellers and translators,” says Chris.
“The tools we use to do that can be a pen,
brush or a screen. The medium is irrelevant
if the message isn’t compelling.”
FORGET ABOUT TITLES
Job titles are another thing Wolff Olins
doesn’t care about. “We don’t categorise
designers here,” says Chris. “It’s
increasingly irrelevant if you call yourself
a graphic designer, product designer or
experience designer, because branding
doesn’t do pigeonholes any more.”
ROCK THE BOAT
In some large organisations you can be
prosper by being unquestioning. But in a
branding company, it’s the opposite. “With
a creative director, for instance, we’ll be
looking for someone who can change the
direction of a conversation at a pitch or
client meeting,” says Sairah. “We’ll be
looking for someone who’s going to rock
the boat, push us to do new things and not
be daunted by our reputation or history.”
HOW TO WORK AT A BIG
BRANDING AGENCY
WOLFF OLINS