Marketing Cover Letter Example, Tips and Guide
Marketing provides a wide variety of career paths, from creative roles to sales and project management. It's a fast-paced, exciting industry to work in and involves developing advertising campaigns and working with clients across various sectors. In this article, we explain how to write a cover letter for marketing roles that makes an impact with recruiters and hiring managers.
Why a Profession-Specific Cover Letter Matters
Taking the time to tailor your cover letter for each job application can make all the difference when it comes to standing out from the crowd. Marketing is a competitive industry and recruiters might receive hundreds of applications for every position. Marketing roles can also require very specific skill sets and qualifications. These include skills in art and graphic design, project management, web or software development, sales, operations and media planning.
As such, it’s essential that both your CV and cover letter show how you fulfil the requirements of the role. You can only do this by producing a bespoke, tailored CV or resume and cover letter for each job you apply for.
Key Components of a Profession-Specific Cover Letter
Your cover letter for marketing roles is an extension of your CV. You can elaborate on the details in that document and draw attention to skills and experience that make you ideal for the job. Most cover letters include an introductory paragraph, one or two paragraphs explaining why you’re suitable for the position, and a call to action that encourages the hiring recruiter to follow up.
The paragraphs covering your skills and experience are perhaps the most important element of your cover letter. They give you the chance to draw attention to specific skills or achievements that can serve you well in the role. For marketing positions, this could be examples of successful campaigns and projects you’ve worked on. Include references to the outcome of projects, the revenue gained or any recognition your campaigns received. For creative roles, you may also want to provide links to an online portfolio or showreel, which demonstrates your body of work.
Cover Letter Format
Follow this cover letter format for a document that makes an impression with recruiters and employers:
- Header: In your letter header, include your name, your address and contact details. Also include the address of the hiring company and the name of the hiring manager, if you know it.
- Introductory paragraph: Use the first paragraph of your letter to introduce yourself and confirm the role you’re applying for. Mention where you saw it advertised and briefly explain why you’re applying for the role.
- Experience and skills: Take one or two paragraphs to highlight your skills, experience and achievements to date. Make sure they match the requirements in the job description.
- Call to action: End your letter by emphasising your interest in the role and adding a call to action. Your call to action encourages the reader to follow up with you, whether to arrange an interview or request extra details.
Sample Cover Letter for Marketing
Joshua McKenzie
74 Hatfield Road
London
NW9 6TR
Julia Harrison
Advent Digital Marketing
84 Wardour Street
London
W1F 8WM
Dear Julia,
I’m writing to apply for the position of Marketing Account Executive at Advent Digital Marketing. I saw your job advert on LinkedIn on 2nd March and immediately felt both the role and organisation were a good fit for my skills and experience. I would relish the opportunity to work for such a high-profile and forward-thinking agency at this stage of my career in marketing.
I’m currently working as a Junior Account Executive for a boutique marketing agency in Farringdon, and feel ready to make the step to a more senior role with a larger, more innovative agency. My current employer has been a great place to develop my marketing knowledge and skills, as it’s smaller size means exposure to all stages of the campaign development and delivery process. I’ve worked on pitches, attended client meetings and presented proposals to clients, and recently helped the team to win a major FMCG client on a long-term contract. I was also part of the team that recently won the Brand Innovation prize at Marketing Week’s annual awards.
In my current position I work in a team that manages a small portfolio of clients. I project manage various aspects of campaigns, including overseeing budgets, liaising with creative and production and providing regular progress reports, both internally and to clients. I’m a natural communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, and I pride myself on my organisational skills. I also thrive in a high-pressure environment, which is one of the reasons why agency life suits me so well.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions about my application, or if you’d like to arrange an interview. I’m extremely interested in the role and hope to discuss it with you further.
Sincerely,
Joshua McKenzie
Dos and Don’ts
Follow these tips for a successful marketing cover letter:
Tailor it to the job description
Make sure you tailor your cover letter to the job title and description. Marketing has a wide range of different departments and roles, and each cover letter will differ depending on the position. If you’re applying for a job in account services or business development, the content of your letter will be very different to those for creative roles such as social media management, UX design/development or copywriting roles. Make sure your cover letter proves how you can do the job you’re applying for.
Don’t exaggerate or over-emphasise your skills
While your cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself, don’t exaggerate. It may be tempting to oversell your qualities to stand out from the competition, but most recruiters and employers will spot this a mile off. Be honest about your experience and don’t try to take credit for things you’re not responsible for.
Use a professional layout
Presenting your marketing cover letter with a clean design and layout can help it to stand out from other applicants. Jobseeker’s cover letter templates can give your letter a professional look that may give you the edge over other candidates. You can even match designs for your CV and cover letter by using our CV templates.
Don’t repeat your CV
Your cover letter gives you the chance to expand on details included in your CV. Try to make sure, though, that you don’t repeat the content of your CV. Find new angles to explain your achievements and impact and expand on the details of your duties and skills.
Additional Tips
Here are a few more general tips for a great cover letter:
- Address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name where possible.
- Quantify your achievements by adding figures and evidence of your success.
- Keep it concise, limiting to your letter to one side of A4 (aim for 300-400 words).
- Check your letter for spelling and grammar, and correct any errors before sending.
Key Takeaways/Conclusion
Your cover letter is a great way to prove you’re a suitable candidate for marketing jobs. Remember to tailor your cover letter to the job description and include skills and achievements relevant to the role. Quantify your achievements and give examples of successful projects and campaigns, including examples or portfolio links where suitable. You can give your cover letter an advantage over other applicants by using Jobseeker’s examples and templates. Jobseeker can also help with your CV, including with this marketing CV example.
Sign up with Jobseeker today to get started with your perfect marketing cover letter!
