The AdNews NGen blog: Friendships that outlast jobs

I think that most of us will agree that it's definitely the friendships and memories that you will remember most, long after your days are done and dusted at agency X. Like anything, it’s often easier to remember the tough times, you will probably never forget what headaches some clients gave you – but it’s the fun times, sharing and support from certain people you work with that you’ll find most memorable.

How often have you wondered whether you would do your job if it weren't for the people around you? Or that you can't leave because you're close friends with so and so? Or that you would probably leave if a particular person left too?

I’m sure we all have our own heartfelt examples but allow me to share a few with you. With the dynamic nature of our industry, it’s no surprise that while our workplaces may vary over time, the friendships we make along the way can transform ourselves, our work and enhances our travel experiences and even our overall life experiences. Funnily enough these things I’ve mentioned are realised even more after we have left that particular agency or job. This doesn’t just apply to colleagues, but media partners and clients too.

My first role in the industry was very confusing, I had four bosses in the span of ten months (turnover and redundancy) and I was pushed into various roles but overall it just didn’t seem like the right fit for me.

At this point I was at a crossroads.

I was approached by a big-name agency who put forward a compelling offer, but I also had the choice of working with a genuine, Zen-like guy called John, who was in the process of setting up his own business (no staff yet). He took me out to lunch for the interview which made quite an impression on a uni grad such as myself.

In the end, I chose the big-name agency.

Although my first experiences were challenging – I met so many interesting people who often pop up at industry events but more importantly, I made a couple of genuine friendships that have lasted till this day. One of my former bosses that I bonded with kept in touch after she returned to the UK. Little did I know how close we would become, especially when I travelled over there and stayed with her. We still keep in touch via email every few weeks and send cards (as in snail mail, but e-cards count too!) - I know that if I were to visit the UK again or if she was coming back to Sydney, we’d open our arms and doors to each other.

Think back to all the decisions made in the past that you may have regretted, but recognise the relationships/friendships you wouldn't have if you didn't make those decisions?

When I left my last job, I had grown close to some people and my bosses – I gave a card to my exMD which said “Caring is everything” with a squirrel giving a nut to another squirrel. That pretty much encompassed what our team's culture was. I gave a leaving speech and absolutely balled my eyes out, not so much because of the job but because of the people I would miss. But the industry is so small, everyone knows everyone – you will usually see them floating around at events anyway!

Good relationships are key, and without them, especially in such a tight industry, the doors aren't as easy to open.

I’m not talking about getting your first or next job, but it greases the wheels of everyday work. Great friendships (not all your 600 friends on Facebook) make work more enjoyable, stable and sometimes make us feel like we're not at work at all. ‘Friend’ is a word that gets thrown around a lot (especially with the advent of social media), but I believe it involves trust, support, common interests, honesty, reciprocity and empathy. If you have found that in your workplace, consider yourself lucky.

Ever since my first interview lunch with that Zen-like guy, I've always kept a keen interest his start up agency, watching it grow through AdNews.

As if by fate, someone from that agency contacted me via LinkedIn whilst overseas – I met John again and now I work for him @match_media.

I always wondered what it would have been like if I worked for him at the beginning of my career, but I'm so happy I went full circle because I wouldn't have made all these great friendships along the way.

Jo Goh
Match Media