Questions for Esther – switching careers: do I have to start from scratch?

 In a regular feature for Encore, Esther Clerehan answers agency and career questions.

Hi Esther,

I’m a senior designer (motion graphics/TV/film) looking to switch sides into agency land – in a senior role there too. I have a lot of experience directing teams of designers, coming up with pitches, directing TVCs and creating motion graphics. I’ve won awards. I’ve also done AWARD School. But it seems that none of my experience counts with agency HR. Because most of my portfolio focuses on work done for an agency, rather than work done in an agency, HR only seem interested in hiring me as a junior AD (when they’re interested at all). I feel that with my experience providing award-winning solutions to clients (and not just graphic solutions, but solutions that tell a story), I can easily switch into a senior art director role (with a senior AD salary). How can a senior in design/TV move across to the other side of the fence without having to start from scratch again?

Regards,