Attention-grabbing speculative applications for graduate marketing jobs

Nearly 70 % of all jobs are unadvertised, and the marketing sector is no exception. One way of tapping into this market is to write speculative applications to marketing organisations along with your CV. This will need a targeted approach – using the scattergun approach will not be very productive. You will need to do a lot of research and identify a contact name to write to at the organisation. You may be able to get some specific referrals from networking, but if not, a quick phone call to the company to ask for the name of whoever is responsible for recruiting will enable you to personalise your letter.

Establish personal contact

You should also ensure that your covering letter is concise, with the emphasis on what you can do for the employer rather than what you want from them. Research the skills and qualifications you need for a job in marketing and show evidence for how you have developed them. Your letter should offer a range of options, so if no vacancies are available you can at least establish personal contact and stay in touch. You could ask for some of the following:

• Permanent vacancies
• Temporary or part-time vacancies
• Work experience
• Work shadowing
• A brief visit/half-hour chat
• The opportunity to meet a recent graduate

It's useful to follow up your speculative application with a telephone call a few days afterwards. You might get some rebuffs but personal contact can be very useful.

Network your way into marketing

Careers fairs and recruitment events can also be good ways to make contact with employers, or 'networking' as it's known. Friends, family members and friends of family members can all be useful contacts that could help you get that first foot in the door. Getting some insider knowledge on an organisation, or simply finding someone who is willing to deliver your CV and covering letter to the right person, can make all the difference.

Make sure that your application is specific and tailored to the organisation – if it is as a result of a contact made from a phone call or a careers fair for example, then state that in your letter. It will help them put a face to the name, and they should realise that you are keen and eager to work for them. The main reason that speculative applications get ignored (other than simply having no vacancies) is if the employer believes you have sent exactly the same application to a long list of companies.