I wrote this cover letter for a former role but was required to submit this in sections via an application form (you know the ones with the boxes that you fill out and hope to god that the page doesn't crash?)
Top Tip: write it out on a word processor first, using the job specification as a guide.
Qualifications & Attainments
Level 4 qualification preferably in marketing, PR, or other communications related subject.
Over the past year I have undertaken a master’s programme at the University of Edinburgh in the Psychology of Mental Health (conversion) and have achieved a 2:1 in. This is in addition to the 2:1 BA English qualification that I acquired at Leeds Trinity University in 2012. Prior to these I undertook a BTEC National level 3 diploma in Creative Media Production, which I completed with a DMM grade, and included interaction with media products and required me to produce copy. These qualifications have provided with a wide range of professional skills relevant to the marketing copywriter role as well as the physical knowledge I developed which also has considerable transferability to the role. I am always very eager to learn new things and so would be more than happy to further develop my skills to facilitate a communications role within an educational setting.
Relevant customer service qualification or training
In the office roles I have undertaken over the past few years as well as the bar work, I have done part-time alongside my studies I have developed a real appreciation for the value of customer service, and have oriented my work ethic around a people-centred approach. As part of this, in my communicating over the phone, by email or in-person with clients, colleagues or management I have always aimed to provide the best experience possible by being direct, warm and also respectful in acknowledging ideas, concerns and queries.
Literacy and numeracy qualification at level 2 or above
As I have a 2:1 BA in English and a GCSE maths C grade I can confirm I meet the literacy and numeracy requirements.
Experience & Knowledge
Experience of working in a content, communications or media related function
I have been copywriting on an official capacity since 2013 during my second year of studying English at Leeds Trinity University, of which I achieved a 2:1 in 2015, where I became involved with Leeds-based culture blog Culture Vulture. For this organisation I have written numerous previews, reviews, interviews and occasional campaigns that have held events in Leeds and also Bradford. Through my ongoing experience with CV I have also written feature articles for Leeds Trinity Uni’s newspaper Trinity Talk, the University of Leeds’ The Gryphon and The City Talking (a portfolio of my work can be provided upon request). In addition, from 2013 to 2015 I was employed as a student ambassador at Leeds Trinity University by the marketing department and regularly supported the staff in their role of exposing the university as a whole as well as specific key events that occurred throughout the year.
A passion for creating and maintaining quality content and writing in different styles
As I have outlined above, I have written for a number of different writing platforms in addition to writing on behalf of companies I have worked for (i.e. Northern Gas Networks), and the work I have produced and hosted on my own blog which has taken a number of forms including opinion columns, essays on social issues, and promotional pieces. Having studied three very different subject areas (Media, English, Psychology) with passion I would consider myself highly versatile in being able to adjust my writing style, according to the brief and the target audience. Additionally, I write for Culture Vulture on an entirely voluntary basis and enjoy the variety of assignments I recruit myself onto. My articles that are published online are always well received and my editors at Culture Vulture believe me to be a valuable asset as a contributor as I write to a high standard in an articulate manner.
Experience working with CMS platforms such as WordPress
In addition to these more traditional document/content production software such as the Microsoft Office package I am also very familiar with Wordpress as it is the ‘engine’ that Culture Vulture uses and as I have my own login, I interact with the platform on a regular basis to produce, edit and upload content. I also use this CMS for my own personal blog that I have operated on and off for a number of years, so I am very comfortable with this online mode of copywriting, editing and website management.
Experience of proof reading, carrying out research and conducting interviews
As I now have undertaken four years of academic education, including one at a master’s level, I am adept in my ability to proofread my work prior to submission, and to carry out extensive research as part of my assessments. As I am a naturally curious individual, I also read a lot and often carry out my own research to develop my understanding on a personal level in the things that interest me, particularly within the Arts and Technology sectors.
By the time you have read this I will have conducted an interview with Ruby Wax on behalf of Culture Vulture as she is currently touring, and so we are providing her with some publicity. Prior to this I have conducted a number of interviews over the years for Culture Vulture for content I have produced, notably for No Gloss Film Festival, Tom Wright (theatre director) and curators of exhibitions. Also, when studying Media at college I was required to conduct interviews and VOXPOPs as part of my assessments in a broadcast media journalism module. On a voluntary basis, one of my first roles in the world of work was working at BCB Radio as a youth host, and would often interview people for that too.
Experience of writing a range of copy for a variety of platforms and audiences Understand the type of content that young people engage with and the language they use
I have described my versatility to adapt my writing according to brief and audience above, but I understand how fundamentally important it is to reach key focus groups and adjust style and language accordingly from the perspective of an academic institution particularly students, parents, staff and stakeholders. As someone who has worked in the marketing department of a university before I have direct experience of strategies used to attract young people with use of accessible and encouraging language and by use of social media, particularly visual platforms such as Instagram, to provide a consistent source of information that supports as much as it advertises.
Skills & Competencies
Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal
In terms of my ability to communicate I consider myself very able, both vocally (over the phone or in person), and also via the written word. In addition to consistently achieving high grades in my academic work which is thanks, in part, to my ability to communicate an argument effectively. Similarly, all of the extracurricular experience I have gained that has allowed me to have the confidence to apply for a role as a marketing copywriter has been achieved as a result of my ability to network and communicate, not only to set up the opportunity to collaborate, but also to earn their trust and confidence in me that I will do a great job. On a more personal level as a stoutly proud Bradfordian I enjoy being an active part of the community and as such get involved as much as I can by volunteering and participating in groups such as the Bradford Civic Society – I get real enjoyment from engaging with others and my ability to communicate well has facilitated this.
Exceptional organisational skills
I have always had strong organisational skills but there is no better example of this than in the past year where I have undertaken a highly intensive conversion master’s degree in the psychology of mental health at the University of Edinburgh - not only was I expected to learn a whole new field of academia in a year but also at a master’s level. My final research project involved a considerable amount of statistical analysis which I had been practicing throughout the year as part of a data management module. This involved an exhaustive appraisal of the data I had collected where accuracy was fundamental to ensure the tests I ran to be successful, and in order for my hypotheses to be empirically supported.
The work I put into this project paid off after several months of intensive research as I received a first for it, and a 2:1 in my master’s degree overall. I have developed a real taste for attention to detail prior and subsequent to this pinnacle moment, and as such have deliberately opted for administrative roles that have required data analysis for the purpose of exercising this skill.
Excellent decision maker
It would be excellent to have the opportunity to make real and informed decisions within a professional role, particularly in the context of being a marketing copywriter. I have very much enjoyed being part of Culture Vulture as I am given free reign to make decision not only on the type of content, I would like to cover but also how I do it. My previous professional roles have not allowed me to make much in the way of decisions due to them being primarily administrative and rigid in role responsibilities, so I would be thrilled at the prospect of actually being able to contribute in the decision-making process within the marketing team and wider staff network.
Able to work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes
I embrace opportunities to work with a variety of people within different contexts and have enjoyed this aspect of my professional roles in the past. I have been fortunate that all my prior office-based roles have featured interaction not just with my immediate team and manager but also regular appointments with senior management who offer the wider vision of team objectives, as well as being able to feedback updates re stakeholders and trustees. I would thrive in an environment I where I have the chance to make a real difference to students, prospective and current, and make a really positive contribution to a wider team, all collaborating for the same beneficial cause.
High level of IT skills including Microsoft office, Google and CMS platforms
As part of my day-to-day activities within my former administrative roles this involved much telephone and email correspondence, and interaction with Microsoft Office (including Powerpoint, Word, Excel and Outlook). I am very confident in using the computer as I have had access to one since childhood and have been engaged in some computer-related activity consistently throughout my life. My experience has been further strengthened in my academic studies where I have exercised use of a wide-range of software, the Microsoft Office package especially in the production of essays and reports for my assessments.
Excellent problem-solving skills
Generally speaking I consider myself a highly determined individual with a solution-orientated mindset and as such tend to search for the positives in any challenges I am presented with, which are usually learning opportunities in disguise, but am also realistic in terms of limitations, be that time or resources. Nevertheless, I become highly invested in any work I am involved in and always endeavour to put my all into everything that I do in order to ensure I am delivering the best possible output to my employers and customers but also as a matter of my own fulfilment and pride in my effort.
Can work under own initiative
As someone who has just completed a master’s qualification, I can vouch for my ability to use my initiative as a testament to it – this intensive conversion programme was akin to being self-employed as there was little academic support available and therefore it was down to me to manage my time and prioritise my workload efficiently. In addition to this, aside from minor supervision during my dissertation there was no individual overseeing my research, or the work I produced for my courses, meaning that initiative was a vital skill in making decisions that would fit the brief and achieve excellent grades.
Outside of university, in my writing on a freelance and voluntary basis, I am constantly having to think on my feet in attending events, talking to the right people and considering my message and my audience during the write-up phase, as well as the subsequent editing – this has allowed me to develop my initiative skills exponentially.
In my paid professional life, I have used my initiative as and when appropriate although previous roles I have undertaken have been very straightforward and therefore have not required much autonomous thinking on my part. However, I welcome the opportunity to embrace my comprehensive initiative abilities within the workplace as I am more than capable of doing so.
Behavioural, Values & Ethos
Commitment to the college’s support and promotion of equality and diversity.
I welcome the opportunity to be able to work in an environment that implements policy to promote equality and diversity, especially within an academic institutions such as yourselves. I have great respect and admiration for organisations that support decency and empathetic qualities in their staff, not just as a benefit to the teams working there but also for the students who often require compassion, in addition to developing their academic and vocational abilities.
Committed to child protection and the promotion of a safe environment for children and young people to learn in.
Having worked with children previously in my capacity as a student ambassador during open day events and in my outreach work at secondary schools I have been thoroughly briefed on the importance of maintaining child protection guidelines according to school/college policy, and of course promoting these environments as safe spaces, minimising the stress young people are exposed to at what is potentially a difficult time in their lives. I also have direct experience of working with vulnerable groups including those with learning difficulties and neurogenerative diseases and as a result have an especial understanding of information governance, data protection and maintaining appropriate conduct at all times.