The Weird Freelance Experiment That Resulted in x4 Interviews

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http://www.google.co.uk/url? sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F %2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv. 57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 http://www.google.co.uk/url? sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F %2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv. 57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 THE WEIRD EXPERIMENT THAT RESULTED IN X4 INTERVIEWS..!

description

This is an experiment I ran on my job site www.creativesync.co.uk to find out what type of covering letter employers respond to. The result were more than surprising.

Transcript of The Weird Freelance Experiment That Resulted in x4 Interviews

Page 1: The Weird Freelance Experiment That Resulted in x4 Interviews

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F

%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 http://www.google.co.uk/url?

sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.

57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999

THE WEIRD EXPERIMENT THAT

RESULTED IN X4 INTERVIEWS..!

Page 2: The Weird Freelance Experiment That Resulted in x4 Interviews

A while ago I noticed some strange stuff happening on

CreativeSync

yep that’s my website

folks!

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Some designers were getting more (I mean loads!) more

interviews than everyone else??(Very Strange!)

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http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F

%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 http://www.google.co.uk/url?

sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.

57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999

So I decided to try a small experiment..(to see what was going on!)

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I applied to x9 different job listings using x3 different covering letters and the results blew me

away!

hireme_

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http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F

%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 http://www.google.co.uk/url?

sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.

57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=13859081130269991The 1st Cover Letter

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!1. OVER 300 WORDS (LONGISH)

2. GIVING A ‘REASON WHY’ I APPLIED FOR THE JOB

3. HAD A ‘FORMAL’ TONE OF VOICE 4. IN-DEPTH ABOUT MY PERSONALITY/

ABILITY 5. INCLUDED ALL PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

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http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F

%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 http://www.google.co.uk/url?

sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.

57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999

(not great)

THE RESULT = 1 Interviews

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The 2nd Cover Letter 2

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1. SHORT (LESS THAN 100 WORDS) 2. TO THE POINT

3. REFERENCED THE NAME OF THE JOBSITE

4. INCLUDED A CLEAR “CALL TO ACTION” (CTA)

5. A SENSE OF URGENCY

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http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F

%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 http://www.google.co.uk/url?

sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.

57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999

(err rubbish)

THE RESULT = 0 Interviews

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The 3rd Cover Letter 3

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1. SHORT AND TO THE POINT (LESS THAN 150 WORDS)

2. IT WAS VERY INFORMAL 3. A BIT ARROGANT, PUNCHY AND

UNAPOLOGETIC 4. I DECLARED HOW GOOD I REALLY WAS 5. CTA ASKING THEM TO CONTACT ME

6. I PROMISED THEM RESULTS 7. ADDED A FEW REFERRALS UPFRONT

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http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F

%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 http://www.google.co.uk/url?

sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.

57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999

(WOWZER!)

THE RESULT = 4 Interviews!

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I’ve added a link at the end of this slide show

so you can try it out!

(make sure you post your success story on twitter @creativesync)

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http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F

%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 http://www.google.co.uk/url?

sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.

57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999

(pay attention)

WARNING

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Use this approach with CAUTION as I have always been an advocate of TAILORING your CV to each vacancy for the best response rates. For example, I would

DEFINITELY NOT use this approach with recruitment agencies.

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http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F

%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999 http://www.google.co.uk/url?

sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=lVb1g5xF8oAPEM&tbnid=n9FSJgt49AYziM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Floosemoorings.org%2F2012%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-endless-experiment%2F&ei=FvaZUu-VGKO90QXJ5IG4Bg&bvm=bv.

57155469,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGA8dzs5t_q6LDwYQXaeM7Jk56cQg&ust=1385908113026999

Thanks for watching! If you want more of my weird

freelancing experiments like this then check out my new

Udemy Course: “The Freelance Formula”

Get a Free Preview

50% OFF! was $97 now $47 use Coupon: special50 HURRY Only available to the first 100 students!