Ogilvy
Ogilvy interview process in India for creative, strategy and client servicing roles: rounds, portfolio review tips, sample questions and FAQs.
- 131 open jobs
- 1948 founded
- New York City headquarters
About Ogilvy
Ogilvy is a global advertising, marketing and public relations agency with a significant presence in India, serving clients across FMCG, banking, technology, healthcare and consumer sectors through campaigns, branding, digital marketing and communications work. It operates from multiple Indian cities and is known for producing some of the country's most recognised advertising work over several decades.
The agency hires across creative, art direction, copywriting, strategy and planning, client servicing, digital and social media, and production, with entry points for fresh graduates from design, mass communication and management institutes as well as experienced professionals moving between agencies.
Ogilvy looks for original thinking, strong communication and a genuine interest in brands and culture, with creative roles assessed heavily on a portfolio of work and client-servicing roles assessed on articulation, ownership and comfort managing client relationships under tight timelines.
Ogilvy hiring process
Ogilvy typically hires through campus placements at design and management institutes, its careers page, job portals such as Jobaaj, and referrals, with the process differing for creative and non-creative roles.
1. Application and portfolio or resume screening
Creative candidates submit a portfolio of prior campaigns, ad concepts or design work; client servicing and strategy candidates are screened on resume and relevant coursework or internships.
2. Recruiter screening call
A short call discusses background, notice period and interest in the specific practice area, such as creative, strategy or client servicing.
3. Portfolio review or case exercise
Creative candidates present and defend their portfolio to a creative director; strategy and client-servicing candidates may get a brief to build a mini campaign idea or brand plan.
4. Panel interview with team lead
A deeper discussion on the candidate's thinking process, past work and how they would approach a live client brief.
5. Leadership round
A senior creative director or account leader assesses overall fit, ambition and cultural alignment with the agency.
6. HR and offer discussion
HR finalises compensation, joining date and role expectations before the offer.
Ogilvy interview rounds
Creative roles are weighted heavily toward portfolio review, while client-servicing and strategy roles focus more on case thinking and communication.
Round 1: Screening call
A short call with a recruiter to confirm background, availability and interest in the specific department at Ogilvy.
- Walkthrough of your resume or portfolio at a high level
- Why advertising and why Ogilvy specifically
- Preferred practice area, such as creative or strategy
Round 2: Portfolio review or brief exercise
Creative candidates present their book to a creative director; other candidates may receive a short brief to respond to with an idea or plan.
- Defending the strategic thinking behind a creative concept
- Building a one-page campaign idea for a given brand
- Explaining how you would position a product for a target audience
Round 3: Team lead interview
A 30-45 minute conversation with a senior creative, strategist or account lead, exploring how the candidate thinks and collaborates.
- Handling feedback that rejects your favourite idea
- Working with a client who keeps changing the brief
- An ad or campaign you admire and why
Round 4: Leadership and HR round
A senior leader evaluates overall fit and long-term potential, followed by HR discussing compensation and joining logistics.
- Career goals in advertising over the next few years
- Salary expectations and notice period
- Comfort with tight deadlines and client pressure
Ogilvy salaries
| Designation | Average salary |
|---|---|
Creative / Account Director Experience: 9+ years yrs |
₹ 23.2 Lakhs /year Typical range â‚ą16 L – â‚ą30.4 L/yr |
Manager Experience: 5 - 9 years yrs |
₹ 12.4 Lakhs /year Typical range â‚ą8.8 L – â‚ą16 L/yr |
Senior Executive Experience: 2 - 5 years yrs |
₹ 6.8 Lakhs /year Typical range â‚ą4.8 L – â‚ą8.8 L/yr |
Executive - Creative / Media Experience: 0 - 2 years yrs |
₹ 3.6 Lakhs /year Typical range â‚ą2.4 L – â‚ą4.8 L/yr |
Figures are estimates based on typical market ranges for this role and sector, not company-published pay. Actual offers vary by location, skills and negotiation.
Ogilvy interview questions
Question banks most relevant to roles at Ogilvy, with model answers.
Ogilvy interview FAQs
Q1How many interview rounds does Ogilvy have?
Most candidates go through three to four rounds: a screening call, a portfolio review or brief exercise, a team lead interview, and a final leadership or HR round. Creative roles usually spend more time on portfolio review, while client-servicing roles focus more on communication and case thinking.
Q2What should a portfolio include for a creative role at Ogilvy?
Include a small set of your strongest, most original concepts rather than everything you have made, showing clear strategic thinking behind each idea. Be ready to explain the brief, your process, and why you made specific creative choices, since interviewers probe the thinking as much as the output.
Q3Why do you want to work at Ogilvy?
Connect your answer to the agency's reputation for original, culturally relevant advertising and mention specific campaigns you admire. Highlight your own creative or strategic interests and any coursework, internships or personal projects that show genuine curiosity about brands and consumer behaviour.
Q4How would you respond to a client who keeps changing the brief?
Show that you would clarify the client's underlying objective first, document changes clearly, and push back diplomatically when a change risks the campaign's core idea. Interviewers want to see patience, structured communication and the ability to protect creative quality under pressure.
Q5Describe a creative idea you had to defend against feedback.
Pick a real example, explain the reasoning behind your original idea, how you listened to the feedback, and whether you adapted the idea or made a case for keeping it. Show that you can separate personal attachment from what actually serves the brand and audience.
Q6What is the typical salary and eligibility for freshers at Ogilvy?
Freshers are typically hired from design, mass communication and management institutes into creative, strategy and client-servicing trainee roles, with pay bands set by role and city. Building a strong portfolio or relevant internship experience improves eligibility, and exact figures should be confirmed during the HR round.
Quick facts about Ogilvy
- Is Ogilvy a public or private company?
- Ownership: WPP plc.
- Who founded Ogilvy?
- Ogilvy was founded by David Ogilvy.
- Who is the CEO of Ogilvy?
- As recorded on this profile, Andy Main leads Ogilvy. Leadership can change - check the company's own site for the current position holder.
- What does Ogilvy do?
- Ogilvy operates in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations.
131 open jobs at Ogilvy
Apply on Jobaaj, and use this guide to prepare before your first round.
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