An agency can have a lot of perks and be very fulfilling. However, there are challenges that come with almost any agency job, including:

• Unpredictability: Different clients, different projects and different teams means the factors are constantly in flux. You need to be nimble and versatile to excel in an agency setting.
• High standards and challenges: Your colleagues and the client will be expecting your very best from you. Thousands of dollars, and the work of others, will be very dependent on your input. You need to be comfortable with pressure when working at an agency.
• After-hours: Most people at Soshal work a 9ish-5ish day. However, we have deadlines, crunch times and emergencies that necessitate some after-hours. Sometimes we work into the evenings, and other times we get work done on the weekends. Good planning helps this from coming up often, but it's the reality of urgent work.
• Competition: The nature of agency work is very competitive. Even with long-time clients, you'll be up against other agencies wanting to take over projects. If the idea that others are lying in wait to take your business away really unsettles you, then agencies might not be the right fit.
• Salary: The starting salaries offered by agencies are often less than similar positions at government or corporate jobs. Agencies are competitive through-and-through, and expect candidates to prove their value before increasing salary.