Creative priority.
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Editor’s note: When you are looking for a job, it’s not only your resume, but sometimes a cover letter can be added to your resume to increase your chances of success. A good cover letter will not only highlight your focus on the job, but also show your ability. However, the cover letter does not mean that you have to explain your willingness to apply for a job. The author of this article believes that writing a cover letter can also use the principle of “creative priority” to turn job hunting into a fun and creative thing. The article is translated from Medium, author Robert Gibb, and the original title is A Better Approach to Writing a Cover Letter.
Two years ago, I was busy looking for a full-time job. I applied for dozens of positions that I know I am qualified, but almost all of them are sinking.
In the end, I reached a tipping point: it was obvious that no matter what I did, it didn’t work. So, it’s time to try something different.
So, for my next job application – a growth marketing position at a community-centric startup – I decided to skip the standard five-part cover letter with my skills and achievements (“Since Since I got my creative writing degree in 2011, I have developed dozens of companies through content marketing, SEO and other forms of inbound marketing, etc.”) Instead, I wrote some about hiring managers that may have an immediate The value of something: a creative priority cover letter.
The following is a slightly modified version with some details removed:
“Hey, Austin – I like what you do at X!!”
Before telling me about my skills and experience, I want to share with you some ideas about product growth. This will let you know how I see growth.
Create a subordinate plan. Work with real estate lawyers who work with HOA. As far as I know, these people have the most direct contact with the HOA chairman and other HOA decision makers. We can use GrowSumo software to simplify the program. (Note: HOA (Homeowner Association), literally translated as the owners’ association, the so-called community property management.)
Monitor the conversations we can participate in on the web. For example, find someone to ask like thisThe problem with Buzzsumo is talking about such things. Let them know about our services, or just tell them what happened and help them based on what they are talking about. (Note: Buzzsumo is a tool for analyzing content on social media.)
Create a live demo of a product. This is for those who are under the funnel, let them test the product through the web application. Let them get involved, see how cool it is, and use CTA to create an account in the demo. (Note: 1. The funnel model is a data tool for judging product health. The data is fed back through the data of each design step of the product, and then the product design is improved through specific analysis of each stage to improve the user experience of the product. 2. CTA, Call-to-Action, behavioral summoning, used to guide users to perform certain actions on their websites and apps.)
These are my first thoughts. They may not be “answers to questions,” but they are worth considering. There is a huge opportunity for development here, I know I can catch it, and I will think more about it. Low effort and high return are what I am pursuing.
You can learn more about my achievements on my resume, but, in a nutshell: I helped my former employer (another startup) to be acquired in 2016. There, I produced a number of top rankings on Hacker News. I also produced more than 50 content projects and included 25 articles ranked first on Google. (Note: Hacker News is a social news site for computer hackers and startups.)
After that, I signed a contract with several companies, but I didn’t stick to it because their products didn’t excite me. But what your company is doing looks cool, I want to talk about the position of growth marketing.
If you can, are you free next week?
Robert”
The following is my response from the hiring manager:
“Robert, this is the first such email I received in more than 250 job emails last month. I have read it more than once. Let’s talk next week.”
As I continue to send such cover letters, I start to receive more and more responses. Soon, the two companies began to rush to hire me, I regret not trying this method earlier.
With a “creative priority” cover letter, you can go directly to the idea you want to achieve. You have an average of 6 seconds to attract the attention of recruiters, so you need to show how you will add value to your company right away. Don’t simply state what you have done, but focus on what you are going to do.
Today, when I apply for a new job, I still use the “Creative Priority” cover letter, and you can use it. This oneIt’s a rough template – obviously, it’s tailored to the way you write and the level of formality you’re looking for, but it’s a good starting point.
Hello [name of hiring manager] – I like your work at [company].
Before telling me about my skills and experience, I would like to propose some methods to help [company] as [job name]. These are not perfect ideas, but should help us start discussing how to work together. .
The first thought.
The second thought.
The third idea.
You can learn more about my achievements on my resume, but in a nutshell: [brief your background].
I want to talk to you about my thoughts and [job name] – when are you free this week?
[your name]
Some tips for writing a cover letter:
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After writing your thoughts, take a 10-minute look at the company’s website. Don’t take too long. Job hunting is still a number game, and there may be many other positions to apply for.
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Keep your thoughts in three to four lines of text. Simplicity will allow the hiring manager to read your cover letter in its entirety.
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Do not use a generic greeting, such as “to the relevant person.” Try using LinkedIn to find the name of the hiring manager. If you are not sure, look for your upper level. For example, I am a content marketer, so I will look for the name of the marketing manager.
The most important thing is: don’t reuse your thoughts. Make specific recommendations for the company you are applying for. Tell them why they need you, they will agree.
Translator: Yoyo_J