We often caution candidates that Advertising is a small world. There is so much movement within this industry (thankfully) that it’s likely that the Account Director you flipped off in the elevator may be sitting across from you in an interview a couple years later. Oops.

Well, dear Hiring Manager, the same is true for you. Employees talk and what goes around comes around. If you treat your folks poorly or don’t pay well or cheat them out of their bonuses, they will tell everyone they know and word travels fast. Advertising folks know how to drum up some interest, after all.

In addition to the people you hire who are privy to agency secrets and financial statements, you must be careful about everyone who has an encounter with your agency. The focus is usually on your clients, but what about the ones who stop by for an interview, meet with your higher-ups, and leave? Even if you don’t choose to hire them or they don’t choose to work for you, it’s always best to make a great impression. You never know when that smarmy little 23 year old Creative might be the hot new thing with the Big Idea and you want him to come and run the show. Best if you treat him respectfully, offer him some coffee, show him around, follow up with his recruiter, and offer solid reasons why now might not be the best time for him to come on board.

Ignoring him, neglecting him (or his recruiter), constantly rescheduling interviews, low balling him on salary, or any bait and switch tactics will be duly noted and exploited with you on the losing side of that debate. You’re the one with the big fat reputation and all the money, so use your power for good. Make a great impression and leave all the candidates who apply for jobs with your agency wishing they were chosen. Make them consider about how they could chart their career paths so, perhaps one day, they may be considered again to work with you. They will tell all their friends how super cool and great you were. And you can’t buy that kind of PR.