Friday, March 5, 2010

Hello Katie

When you are sending out emails to a bunch of creative managers/recruiters/creative directors at the same time in the hopes of getting an internship/job/freelance, please review your note for accuracy. You are most likely copy and pasting your note into a bunch of different emails. This is just a friendly reminder to double check that you've changed the name of the person you are sending it to.

Today I got: Hello Katie.
The other day I got: Dear Lisa Cecilia Gorman

I know it saves a ton of time, heck I do it too. Not a huge violent offense, although it serves to remind me that I might not be the one and only special agency where you want to work; I am just one of many special agencies you'd like to work. Including the ones where Katie and Lisa work.

Once I got an offer letter from an agency -- not my current one ;)-- that was addressed to me, then about half way through the letter it said, "and Erin we are so happy to bring you on board." Erin? I was kinda bummed. Again, slight offense. But, just try and do due diligence.

4 comments:

Adam Jackson said...

"SUBJECT: Creative Circus writer navigates the Atlantic

The fascinating Cecilia Gorman,

I'm navigating a research vessel from the southern tip of South American to Iceland, studying The Coriolis Effect in relation to whale mating. Since I'm stealing internet from a passing cruise ship, I must keep this email brief.

A massive cyclone appears to be headed straight towards us and in the event my ship doesn't make it back, I wanted you to know I've always wanted to work at Y&R.

If I do make it back and you are in the market for a junior writer, I have agency experience, a Creative Circus approved book (attached to this email) and a healthy imagination.

Please enjoy this photo one of our divers took last week (when the sea was calm), it's breathtaking.

I do look forward to hearing from you. All my best Cecilia.

Adam Jackson
Navigator
USS Stupendous

-sent via stolen internet."


(Cecilia, what do you think of this mass email? It's got a few spaces for personalization and at the end I attach my book and an amazing photo. Would you have known it was a recycled email?)

Unknown said...

Hi Adam. You win for most curious blog comment ever. Send your portfolio to my email: cecilia.gorman@yrbrands.com

Unknown said...

I don’t know why but this post made me feel better.

I’m currently applying for jobs now and while I go through everything with a fine tooth comb twice, occasionally I have let some things slip, just like every other applicant. And I have noticed that companies have disqualified me for perfectly suited position just for that reason, which I think is silly.

But knowing that companies make mistakes (re: erin), I feel better… oddly. Can we agree that both people within companies and applicants trying to get in are equally busy, rushed, and pressed for time? So how about a little slack?!?! But more for us…. because we need it more.

Yes, we do. ☺

Unknown said...

Absolutely. We all could use a bit of slack sometimes.