Working agency vs client-side: deciding which is best for you
- April 06, 2022
Working agency vs client-side: deciding which is best for you
If you’re currently on the job hunt and wondering what the difference is between working agency vs client-side, we’re here to help break it down for you. We’ve gathered a list of top things to consider when looking at the pros and cons of working at an agency in comparison to being on the client-side of the industry.
Firstly, what does agency and client-side actually mean?
If you’re new to the digital industry, it’s important to understand what agency and client-side means. So, we’ll break it down for you. Client-side basically means you are employed directly by the brand you’ll be working on. Agency-side involves working across various brands or businesses. Both are very different, so it’s important to decide which is right for you.
5 things to consider when working at an agency vs client-side
In order to help you assess which one is the best environment for your career to thrive, we’ve gathered a list of things to think about to help you decide.
1. Career prospects
Client-side: career growth if you’re working client-side will generally depend on the size of the company you’re working for. However, typically there are fewer opportunities for progression compared to working in an agency.
Agency-side: working in an agency tends to be more fast-paced, which can cause a higher turnover of staff. This presents more opportunities to develop quickly and move into new roles with greater responsibilities.
2. Salaries
Client-side: in-house roles tend to have much higher starting salaries and sometimes employers offer better company benefits.
Agency-side: while salaries within agencies tend to start lower, the fast progression opportunities mean that you can work your way up the salary ladder a lot quicker than working client-side.
3. Office environment
Client-side: although this is not always the case, in-house offices had a reputation for being slightly more corporate than an agency. Usually working client-side also means being in a smaller team, which can mean that the office ambience is calm and quiet.
Agency-side: agencies are renowned for their lively and exciting work atmosphere. If you enjoy working in a big team with lots of energy, agency-side is the right choice for you.
4. Workload/pace
Client-side: in contrast to agency-side, working in-house typically means that the pace of work is slightly calmer as you’re only working on one brand.
Agency-side: agency roles tend to have busier workloads, due to working across various different accounts. Deadlines tend to be tighter and the overall pace of the work is a lot quicker compared to client-side.
5. Diversity
Client-side: as previously mentioned, client-side roles work on just one brand/service. This is great for people who like to have a close focus on one brand, and it can feel more rewarding to be a part of the overall growth of a company.
Agency-side: agency roles have way more diversity in terms of work, clients, and teams. Working across various different brands is a great way to expand your experience and gain exposure to many different industries.
So, which is best for you?
Overall there are pros and cons to both. However, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, exciting career with lots of opportunities for progression, then maybe agency-side is right for you. Alternatively, if you prefer a calmer workload, with the opportunity to get stuck into working on one brand, then you’re probably more suited to client-side roles.
If you’re still unsure which is right for you, talk to one of our recruiters today and we’ll help you figure out your next career move.
You can also check out our wide range of job roles available.