The Application: Marketing Yourself
Marketing yourself is one of the most important aspects of getting a job. Below is a sample application I used when applying for a Director of Marketing position (no — I did not get the job… but totally think I should have for this creative execution). All of the images and music leveraged media assets (their products).
I attached the below screenplay and letter to a clapboard and had it personally delivered to the hiring manager.
The screenplay:
“THE HIRING”
SCENE 1
FADE IN:
INT. Tricia’s Home Office – Morning
Tricia sits at her desk daydreaming out the window.
(Music Under): Living Water, Generdyn
The tree across the street catches her attention. She gets lost in the soft blossoms as they dance in the wind.
Her phone rings. She answers.
Mary (OS)
Hi.
Tricia
Hey.
Mary (OS)
Whatcha doin’?
Tricia
Well, you know that cool job I told you about yesterday? The Director of Marketing position at Filmsupply?
Mary (OS)
Yea.
Tricia
I wanna do something… or send something that will really catch their attention, show my creativity and get me noticed.
Mary (OS)
OK.
Tricia
So I’m thinking of writing a screenplay/script. I’m going to call it “The Hiring” and it will tell the story of how I applied… actually, this conversation will be part of the script.
Mary (OS)
(Chuckle) That’s really creative. I like it. It’s different. It shows your creativity and how you approach things differently. It’s EXACTLY the kinda thing you need to do, to stand out from everyone else.
Tricia
I know, right! It demonstrates my uniqueness and creative thinking. Alright, I gotta go. I have to get writing and figure this out.
She hangs up the phone, opens her Mac and gets to work.
(Music Under): Storybook, Analog Heart
The letter:
To the Filmsupply & Musicbed Team:
I hope you enjoyed this unconventional job application. And it has given you a taste of my creativity and tenacity.
I am a strategic and creative thinker. I have the ability to see the big picture while ensuring that every last detail is accounted for in everything I do. I am a self-starter. A fearless pursuer. And an ultimate optimist.
My experience is deep across branding, marketing & communications: spanning B2C and B2B on both client-side and agency-side: strategy, planning, positioning, messaging, user journey, creative direction, communications, communications planning, advertising/media, broadcast/video, digital/web/SEM/SEO/social, thought leadership/content, public/vendor/employee relations, events, promotions, packaging, direct and collateral.
I have a hands-on entrepreneurial spirit having founded, owned, and operated my own apparel, accessories, style, and inspiration company.
I am an author. I have authored three and published two books as well as have been a CBS style correspondent.
And I am a philanthropist. I founded and funded my own personal philanthropic cause.
There is so much more to our future. Let’s write the next scene together!
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Tricia Mahoney