January 8, 2010
How to Get a Job at a Marketing Agency (or anywhere else)
By Ted Page, Captains of Industry
Captains of Industry gets a lot of emails from people looking for a job, and almost all of them are awful. A very few are excellent, and some of these lead to jobs. But the standard email is, “See attached for my letter and resume.” Or it’s a form letter that could go to any company. I’ve also received numerous emails over the years that contain typos, such as this zinger, “I communications expert with a great interest in your company.” And no, it wasn’t from Tarzan.
It’s mind-boggling and sad that colleges charge hundreds of thousands of dollars to students to supposedly give them a good education, but the one lesson that’s missing is the one that’s most important: how to get the interest of employers and land a job. Here are a few simple tips:
Do your homework and personalize your approach. Research the company you really want to work for. Then contact them with a personal letter that’s just for them, referencing the company’s work and why your skills are a perfect fit for them.
Be creative. For example, I received a package this week from a designer just starting her career. She sent me a well-written letter that quoted the Captains of Industry manifesto from our website, and explained why her design skills, talent and philosophy would be a good fit for us. Her letter and resume were well-designed, and printed on nice paper. She also included a funny, custom-made card that read “Grow a Designer” and included a tiny woman designer that could be put in a glass of water and grown. She did everything right. I don’t have a position open right now, but I’m sure going to meet with her.
Know your stuff. So you got an appointment for an interview. Good work. Now comes the hard part. Before you set foot in the door, research the hell out of the industry sector the company is in. During the interview, share some ideas that demonstrate your knowledge of the industry along with your creative thinking.
Think like Winston Churchill. Never, never, never, never, never give up.
Tanya Bechara
Being a senior in college getting ready to apply for jobs, I found this very helpful! Thank you!
-Tanya
Mathew MATHEW
In support to your views I would like to quote William C. Taylor,
cofounder of Fast Company magazine:
“Imagine any and every field possible. There are so
many brands, so many choices, so many claims, so
much clutter, that the central challenge for an
organization or an individual is to rise above the
fray. It’s not good enough anymore to be “pretty
good” at everything. You have to be the most of
something: the most elegant, the most colorful,
the most responsive, the most accessible.”
Ted Page
Tanya, knock ‘em dead.
ashley thrasher
I am a marketing professional searching for a job and I wanted to share my recent attempt to apply for a position as a Social Media Manager (company to remain un-named).
I purchased a cute wooden kitchen chair at Homegoods. I fastened my resume and catchy cover letter to the top of it, I packed it up and sent it directly to the Director of Marketing in the organization.
This was a little over a month ago and I have yet to hear a response. However, I am proud of my attempt and I will remain positive in hopes of an interview.
If it doesn’t work for this company, I am certain it will work for another. I am happy to be looked at as the “girl that sent the chair.”