Get Noticed by a Marketing Startup — With No Experience
By: Susie Eddins
Tags: Work, Startup, Freelancing, Networking, Marketing

7. Cross Reference Your Workflow & Resume

After you create an ideal workflow, revisit your resume. Are you actively addressing all elements of the job in your resume and cover letter? Do they feel like they will pair together well? Does your resume accurately represent what an employer will find in your portfolio?

If the answer is yes, it is time to call on your college best friend, LinkedIn. This platform will help you speak to real people, with the real experience to give you insight or validation on what you are feeling at this point.

Putting feelers out with people holding your desired job title will help confirm your impressions, and begin to build a relevant network. Request an invite with a unique message. Something along the lines of this usually gets my attention:

“Hi [name], I’m making a career transition into [insert field here] which I see you are currently in. If you have a few moments, I am hoping to connect on a few questions about your day to day responsibilities. Thank you in advance”

Character limits can sometimes be a pain. But in digital marketing, you get a lot of people in your inbox asking about the easy stuff. Make your approach serious but not sales oriented.

The number one thing I tell people is that a job hunt is not personal. Employers have a mission to accomplish, and while they could love your personality, they may just not see you as fit. Continue building your digital platform to reflect the colleagues and brands that you want to surround yourself with to eventually be a part of.

8. Now, Make the First Move

Once you have been able to connect with real people, it’s time to start taking your chances. Obviously, make sure you have corrected anything that seemed off and begin reaching out.

Set yourself up with Google Drive, if you haven’t already. Upload all of your assets into your drive if you are utilizing PDF format. Compile your go to links. Send a test email to a friend. It seems silly, but they can see glaringly typos, potentially receive errors, or point out that you uploaded the wrong file. Revise errors. Find employer contacts and take the chance!

If you reach out to the employer with proof of your expertise, by the time they get to your resume they are excited to see what else you have to say.

Keep the body short and sweet. I mean 3–6 sentences about why you’re invested in the company, how you've prepared for the job, and what your attachments showcase.

Keep the file sizes and platforms easily accessible. It is not uncommon for these to be viewed on the go.

A template for you to get your brain gears turning:

“Hello [employer], I came across your [job position] listing on [website source]. Your brand [pick a relevant piece of work or brand attribute] resonates with my skillsets and I would . I look forward to growing your brand by contributing my [design] skills. I have attached to this email examples of my work. What additional materials can I provide to discuss how I can be a fit within your company? Any feedback you have on how I could be better suited for this position would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time,”

In a world where instant gratification and automation is prevalent, effort shines through. Your employer has the advantage. They have the job offering and you need to stand out. Making it convenient for them to see what you are capable of is key.

Make sure you are researching for the hiring manager or the correct department. And please, if the listing says to not reach out outside of the listing, do not apply this step.

9. Have Invested Questions at the Ready

When I am starting to favor a candidate and I bring them in for an interview, I am searching for the final “wow” factor. Once you are in front of the employer, even if digitally, you want to show them why you are more than just a good fit, but you are the right investment for them to make.

Show the employer that you are invested in the position by asking questions that people would normally hold back until they are offered the job. In this introductory phase, do not prematurely celebrate. Avoid asking about pay, time off policies, or the perks.

Questions like this can include:

Are there materials I can provide for you for the next steps of this process?

What is the largest misconception about this job role that I should be ready to tackle?

What additional responsibilities can I expect that are outside of this job description?

What do you enjoy most about your job or the industry?

What supplementary traits do you envision the ideal candidate to have to compliment the team?

What is the next milestone that the company is aiming to achieve?

Time is of the essence when you realize that the ball is in your court. Having a list of advanced questions will reduce stress if the employer requests an interview in a short amount of time. You are able to brush up on your resume and be ready to have personal conversations afterward.