Ever wondered what happens to your CV once you send it through a speculative email address such as ‘info@company.com’ or ‘careers@company.com’? Well, you are about to find out.
The five second rule
The people who normally manage these accounts will either work in front of house, HR or marketing and will receive hundreds of emails daily, including stationary offers or getting the latest gadget for a fraction of the normal price. You therefore only have about a five second window before your email gets junked, managed into a folder or for the lucky few replied to. This five second window is your chance to sell yourself so make every second count!
Below are some simple tips you can use in order to get noticed:
- Personalise your email; this will prove you have done your research from the outset.
- Tailor your Cover Letter with a brief snapshot of your CV and demonstrate why the company you have chosen to email is the one for you.
- Ask questions, this will encourage a reply and start to open the door.
You’ve made it through the first round, but unfortunately the battle is not over yet, as you need to get through the CV test. This test will be your chance to showcase your experience and also demonstrate why you are the right fit for the company. You may think that content is the most important thing about a CV, but if your resume is muddled or confusing, the content won’t matter. Make sure your CV is clear, concise and structured. Your resume should explain you on a page, so don’t be afraid to try different fonts or colours, especially if you are applying for a creative position. You should always start your CV with the thing that makes you different to all other applicants, as you want to grab your reader’s attention straight away. Only you will know what makes you stand out from the crowd; reasons might include specific career aims, industry awards or education. If you have made it through this stage, your CV will be logged for future positions, or sent through to hiring managers for specific roles.
“The above is very good but I’m applying for a digital role”, I hear you say. Look no further, as we’re listed our favourite tips for applying for a role in the digital sector in particular.
Top tips for applying for digital roles
- Don’t put abbreviations like PPC and SEO in brackets (Pay-Per-Click and Search Engine Optimisation). You are applying to work in a digital marketing role so you can safely assume we all know what they stand for!
- Many applicants say they are ‘Social Media savvy’ by stating they use Facebook and Twitter. Yes, so do 1.5 billion other people, but what makes you ‘special’? Do you have a blog that has a lot of followers? Are you big on Pinterest or Youtube? If you are, make sure to mention it!
- Get your capital letters right. Facebook and Google are huge brands, so give them the respect they deserve.
- Turn your email address into a hyperlink on your CV; this encourages potential hiring managers to get in touch with you.
- Clearly showcase your qualifications, such as Google Adwords and other professional exams you might have taken. Don’t just add these onto the description of a previous role.
Once you received an interview invitation, you have a good chance at getting the role. It’s then down to research and your interview skills – don’t let those become your stumbling blocks!
For more information on roles available at Latitude, email careers@latitudegroup.com.
Looking to improve your CV? Winning a marketing award can boost your CV and get you noticed. The IQ Talent Awards reward the true marketing stars. Organised in partnership with Latitude’s parent company Callcredit Information Group and the IDM, the awards celebrate the individuals who regularly have those light bulb moments that transform insights into great ideas.