George Niece ⋅ Saint Paul , MN eGlobal Solutions ⋅ 20 years experience

There are three keys for me.

First, is getting your resume across as many companies as possible. I found this listing as a quick reference, but I'd keep Dice, Hot Jobs, Monster in my favorites, as well as, any local job boards and any local organizations assisting vets in civilian job placement.

http://www.yellowpages.com/washington-dc/internet-marketing-advertising

Second is going to be writing a good resume that highlights how you'd be invaluable in that position. In addition, if you're looking to break in, don't be afraid to take something that gets you a toe or foothold, then keep looking. I don't know how many times in both the Internet computer work I've done, and previously in restaurants, I had to go back to the beginning of the line and do basic work, including going from being a restaurant manager to dishwasher at least once, and Director of eCommerce to Internet lackey. :-)

Lastly, don't give up. The job recruiting market has changed dramatically in the last 20 years, in the old days before the internet you could actually talk to people, now it seems like you send resumes into a black hole and hope that something comes back.

Scott Lackey ⋅ New York , NY Jugular ⋅ 25 years experience

Hi Mo:

Here's a list of over thirty of the most creative ad agencies in DC...with direct links to their sites. Most of them offer some form of internet marketing. I'd pick out the best and write (then follow up with calls) to see if they offer internships or possibly even full time positions if you have the experience or background they're looking for.

http://www.thecreativeham.com/agencies/washington-dc.php

Any further questions, let me know. Good luck.

Best,
Scott

Alan J. Zell ⋅ Portland , OR Attitudes for Selling ⋅ 29 years experience

Mo, I suggest you contact the SCORE Chapter in DC at 740 15th Street, N.W.American Bar Association Building Phone: (202) 272-0390 They have a large contingent of volunteer business execs offering free confidential consulting. The prime exercise is creating a business plan which in doing so will help you gather the information to, if you plan to, start a marketing business for the niche you believe you'd like to work with.

Alan

Mo Johnson ⋅ Dumfries , VA U.S. Army, Major ⋅ 20 years served

Thanks again, funny, I had the same problem. I wanted to find you here to copy the books you recommended above but couldn't find this thread. So, thanks for replying. I do get notice of replies to the thread.

I read a book you recommended on another thread and loved it - one about how most "entrepreneurs" aren't really entrepreneurs (but more like technicians) and the key is to develop systems so you can work "on" your business instead of "in" it. Anyway, loved that book. It gave me some good ideas. As did your advice about not emphasizing low price. I have changed some things I was going to say on my website and re-oriented my planned positioning.

Your "goals" article is good as well. Although, I think one could make cold-calling a commitment as well. But, I don't plan to do much true cold-calling -- more like finding from online sources who is looking for IM work and then getting an appointment with them. That's the plan anyway, well one of them...

Anyway, I'll let you know when my site is up and you can check it out.

Thanks again.

mo

Mo Johnson ⋅ Dumfries , VA U.S. Army, Major ⋅ 20 years served

Thanks Daniel for the excellent advice. I'm going to copy/paste/save it. Good stuff. And, congrats on your google domination.

interesting you don't mention anything about calling on businesses. I live close to washington dc and am a JAG attorney -- so, would seem natural for me to solicit lawfirms. What do you think about that?

Mo Johnson ⋅ Dumfries , VA U.S. Army, Major ⋅ 20 years served

Thanks, appreciate it. Unfortunately, though I have successfully built and marketed websites, especially legal and finance ones -- I don't have a formal background in the area -- all that stuff I've done as a hobby. I think to make the money I need to make (i.e. not start as an intern), I'll have to start up my own agency -- and hopefully one day soon take business away from all these agencies that don't even respond when I contact them. The bottom line is I truly can deliver a better result for their clients at a much cheaper cost. So, off I go to talk to potential clients. C'est la vie!