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Here are 7 cover letter strategies you need to land an interview for a marketing job... 
(this can also be applied to a lot of industries)
(this can also be applied to a lot of industries)
1) Be concise
Hiring managers are short on time and need help.
That’s likely why they’re posting a job in the first place. The hard truth is that most people skim a cover letter at best. Keep it to one-page max.
Hiring managers are short on time and need help.
That’s likely why they’re posting a job in the first place. The hard truth is that most people skim a cover letter at best. Keep it to one-page max.
2) Make it personalized
While it's tempting to throw something together quickly, doing so could seriously hurt your chances of landing an interview.
A cover letter needs to be personalized. If you copy & paste a template, that will be the first thing that shines through.
While it's tempting to throw something together quickly, doing so could seriously hurt your chances of landing an interview.
A cover letter needs to be personalized. If you copy & paste a template, that will be the first thing that shines through.
3) Address it to a human being
There’s a good chance you’ll be able to find out the first name of the person vetting your cover letter. If not, address it to the department who you want to read it.
There’s a good chance you’ll be able to find out the first name of the person vetting your cover letter. If not, address it to the department who you want to read it.
4) Be clear & polished
Make it clear that you’ve read the job ad. Let them know about your relevant work experience.
How?
Reference the name of the position
Use words that are in the job posting
Email yourself a final copy to see what it looks like as the recipient
Make it clear that you’ve read the job ad. Let them know about your relevant work experience.
How?
Reference the name of the position Use words that are in the job posting Email yourself a final copy to see what it looks like as the recipient
5) Add originality
Make sure to stand out by adding information that shows your originality & hustle. Include relevant work experience that highlights how you would add value.
Let the reader know about your drive.
Make sure to stand out by adding information that shows your originality & hustle. Include relevant work experience that highlights how you would add value.
Let the reader know about your drive.
6) Use plain language
Traditional cover letter templates tend to come off as a bit dated. Keep things lean and mean. Skip flowery language and unneeded gushing.
Tell them what you’ve accomplished & how it directly translates to meeting the company’s needs.
Traditional cover letter templates tend to come off as a bit dated. Keep things lean and mean. Skip flowery language and unneeded gushing.
Tell them what you’ve accomplished & how it directly translates to meeting the company’s needs.
7) Include a pinch of personality 
Go a step beyond good grammar & action verbs. With cover letters, you get a chance to infuse some personality at this first, critical touchpoint. Don’t just cut and paste and call it a day.
People want to work with other people (not robots).
Go a step beyond good grammar & action verbs. With cover letters, you get a chance to infuse some personality at this first, critical touchpoint. Don’t just cut and paste and call it a day.
People want to work with other people (not robots).
Cover letter recap:
Be concise
Be personal & make tweaks to every cover letter
Be human & address a real person
Be clear that you’ve read the posting
Be original & show how you will add value
Be direct by using plain language
Be authentic & show personality
Be conciseBe personal & make tweaks to every cover letterBe human & address a real personBe clear that you’ve read the postingBe original & show how you will add valueBe direct by using plain languageBe authentic & show personality
The ultimate goal of your cover letter is to get an interview.
Given that hiring managers may have cast a wide net
(around the world), it’s going to take more than your resume to get past the first round of screening.
Given that hiring managers may have cast a wide net
(around the world), it’s going to take more than your resume to get past the first round of screening.
Cover letter examples are a dime a dozen & it’s easy to google a template that will help you get started.
This isn’t what’s going to deliver results. Writing a cover letter to land a marketing job requires strategy and foresight
This isn’t what’s going to deliver results. Writing a cover letter to land a marketing job requires strategy and foresight
Now that you’re all prepped with actionable ideas, I want to take things one step further.
Here is a 6 part cover letter template that will help you land an interview.
(...it's more like a mad-libs game than a template)
Here is a 6 part cover letter template that will help you land an interview.
(...it's more like a mad-libs game than a template)
Every cover letter should be modified to fit the job you’re applying for.
You don’t have to start from scratch, but it should be crystal clear to the recipient why you’re applying and that you’ve read the job posting top to bottom.
You don’t have to start from scratch, but it should be crystal clear to the recipient why you’re applying and that you’ve read the job posting top to bottom.
1) Here’s the 1st part of your cover letter template:
“Hello [first name], “
You can easily switch this up as needed.
The point I really want to drive home is that you need to stop using ‘To whom it may concern’. Forever.
“Hello [first name], “
You can easily switch this up as needed.
The point I really want to drive home is that you need to stop using ‘To whom it may concern’. Forever.
2) Here's the 2nd part:
“I saw that you were looking for a [job title] at [company name] & wanted to put my name forward as an applicant. I’ve been working in [relevant industry] for the last [x] years developing [insert relevant skill] & creating [insert relevant skill].“
“I saw that you were looking for a [job title] at [company name] & wanted to put my name forward as an applicant. I’ve been working in [relevant industry] for the last [x] years developing [insert relevant skill] & creating [insert relevant skill].“
3) Here is the 3rd part of your cover letter template:
"I believe I am a good fit because I have:
- Executed daily [relevant experience]
- Managed [relevant experience]
- [adjective] [relevant experience]
- [adjective] [relevant experience]"
"I believe I am a good fit because I have:
- Executed daily [relevant experience]
- Managed [relevant experience]
- [adjective] [relevant experience]
- [adjective] [relevant experience]"
4) Here’s the 4th part of your cover letter template:
“Attached is a PDF version of my resume. Here are links to my personal site and LinkedIn profile.”
(Remember to add these links.)
“Attached is a PDF version of my resume. Here are links to my personal site and LinkedIn profile.”
(Remember to add these links.)
You’ve introduced yourself, explained your interest in the position and highlighted relevant skills and experience.
The next step is to round it out with a final paragraph that summarizes what you’ve been up to and what you’re looking for in your next role.
The next step is to round it out with a final paragraph that summarizes what you’ve been up to and what you’re looking for in your next role.
5) Here’s the 5th part:
“I’ve been working in [industry] since [year] & currently work as a [add current title]. I’m looking to [add why you’re applying]. I'm excited to talk to you about [relevant job topic] that would help [explain how this would apply to the role].
“I’ve been working in [industry] since [year] & currently work as a [add current title]. I’m looking to [add why you’re applying]. I'm excited to talk to you about [relevant job topic] that would help [explain how this would apply to the role].
5) Here’s the 6th part of your cover letter template:
"I look forward to speaking with you.
Best,
[Your first name & last name]”
"I look forward to speaking with you.
Best,
[Your first name & last name]”
A template is enough to get started, but remember that you can always stray from it as needed.
In a competitive market, cover letters are the key to unlocking the next level and scoring an interview.
Happy to answer questions.
In a competitive market, cover letters are the key to unlocking the next level and scoring an interview.
Happy to answer questions.
