After you go through all the time to find job listings, polish your resume and submit it, it can be soul-crushing not to hear back at all. What’s going on? What are you missing? And how can you fix it?
The bad news is that there are some pretty common things that keep people from getting calls for interviews after they apply for a copywriter job. But the good news is that it’s all entirely fixable.
Here are the top five reasons you may not be hearing back for that copywriter job.
1. You Don’t Have an Online Portfolio
If you’ve been following our site for a while (or if you’re a student in the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy), then this one probably isn’t a surprise. On the other hand, if this is news, let me break it down for you: You absolutely must have an online portfolio. Your online portfolio shows prospective clients and bosses that you are capable of writing copy the way that you say you can. It “pre-sells” you, so to speak.
Without an online portfolio, you won’t be taken seriously as a professional copywriter. Case closed.
But again, this is entirely fixable. Sites like virb.com, wix.com, imcreator.com, and squarespace.com make it pretty easy to create an online portfolio even if you have no design skills whatsoever. (You can go the wordpress.org route, too, though that has a bit steeper of a learning curve.)
2. You Don’t Have Experience
This one has a couple of components: You don’t have any paid copywriting experience and the subsequent ads on your site, you don’t have any spec ads up on your side, and/or your resume is loaded with things that have nothing to do with copywriting.
The problem with applying to a job with no experience (and, as this implies, no training or real knowledge of copywriting) is that it essentially says to the creative director, “I don’t know how to do this, but how hard can it be?” And that’s really not the message you want to send, right?
Of course not. So, if don’t have training yet, start there. The big mistake a lot of would-be copywriters make is to think that because they know how to write, they know how to write copy. It’s a specific career skill set; of course it requires training! And worthwhile training should also teach you how to create your spec ads and get your first paid copywriting work. (A training like that used to be hard to find—that’s why we created ours.)
3. You’re Applying for Too High a Level—Without Explanation
This scenario comes into play when a company or agency is looking for a senior copywriter and you apply for the job, even though you’re at a junior level—and you don’t reference that level difference at all in your application; you just send in your application with your fingers crossed.
Well, the big problem isn’t that you applied for the wrong level; it’s that you didn’t say anything about it. Not mentioning it implies that you don’t understand that you’re applying for a level that’s beyond where you are right now. Plus, you’re wasting a creative director’s time.
On the other hand, if you send in a note that says, “I know that you’re looking for a senior copywriter and I’m not at that level, but I wanted to offer my services in case you need any help until you find the right candidate” you’re actually being useful. Sure, they may not take advantage of your offer—but then again, they just might. And they might find that they don’t need a senior copywriter after all; they just need you!
Listen to CCA student Mike share how he landed a senior copywriting role >>
4. You Sent a Boring Cover Letter
You’re a writer! And you’re applying for a job where people would pay you to write! It is absolutely inexcusable to send in a boring, average, templated cover letter.
Your cover letter needs to be interesting and dynamic—and, most importantly, it needs to sell you as the best candidate for the job. You know benefits are crucial in copywriting, so what’s your benefit to consumer? What do you bring to the table that no one else does? What’s your USP? Use all of this to create your cover letter and give your creative director something that’s really worth reading!
And pro tip: Do NOT write a LONG cover letter. It should never be more than a page and it should not just repeat what’s in your resume. Use it as the place to say something that isn’t in your resume.
5. You Sent Your Resume to the HR Person
Or you submitted it through the website. “Wait, isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? That’s what the job listing says to do!” And that’s true. They want the HR person/internal recruiter to weed out all the people who aren’t right for the job before resumes get passed to the creative director.
But the problem is that the internal recruiter isn’t a creative. He or she doesn’t understand all the nuances of experience and, most likely, received a list of “must-have” words by the creative director and is tossing out all resumes that don’t have those words in them. Well, you and I both know that’s not how creatives actually work. Just because you don’t have financial experience doesn’t mean your tech experience wouldn’t make you a fabulous writer for this company.
The internal recruiter is the gatekeeper. And whenever possible (whenever they don’t explicitly say resumes won’t be accepted outside of their online submission system), bypass that gatekeeper and get your resume to the creative director. The creative director understands that experience is transferrable—and will probably have special appreciation for your willingness to go the extra mile. Do an online search and find out who the creative director is then send your info to him or her.
Are these all the possible reasons you might not get called back? Of course not. Maybe they found a great candidate right before they saw your resume. Or you just don’t have the experience they’re looking for. Or it’s Tuesday, and the creative director sets fire to all of Tuesday’s mail. (Okay, that’s probably least likely, but you know what I’m saying.) There’s no way to know for sure why you’re not getting called back, but fixing these five mistakes will give you the best chance at success.
Your Turn!
What are your secrets to getting copywriting jobs? Let us know in the comments below!
Last Updated on July 13, 2023
When I graduated from college with a year and a half of freelance copywriting experience, I was determined to land a copywriter job in NYC. I applied to tons of jobs for which I felt I was qualified, but I think my cover letters did me in. I was waaay too wordy and pandering–there was barely any white space on the page. I’d mention all the great things the company had done instead of highlighting the benefits of hiring me. I’m glad to have found your site and learned a lesson! 🙂
Hi Nina,
I’m glad you found us, too! Unfortunately, your case isn’t uncommon. (Or maybe fortunately, now that you know how to do it better? 🙂 ) Most people/books/resources teach us to write cover letters in a very templated, me-oriented way instead of actually conveying information the potential employer wants to and needs to hear. But now you know and all of your future cover letters will knock their socks off!
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Dear Nicki,
(I hope you don’t mind me calling you Nicki!) As someone who is looking to break into the copywriting scene, without any experience whatsoever, I do have one further question regarding online portfolios.
In terms of portfolio work for a copywriter, I am assuming that content is king – but the layout of the copy and the general scope of whatever product/service it addresses, would probably have an impact on the length and style of writing.
Before I go on rambling, would you say that, for an entry-level portfolio with nil experience, it’s best to vary the mediums and approaches in my portfolio pieces? Or would you rather suggest that I find a medium I personally love to work with and stick with it? (Also would comps be alright or should I be looking for as final a product I could muster?)
Thanks in advance!
Hi there!
When you’re just getting started, you want to aim to create samples across a broad range of media (banner ads, emails, newspaper ads, direct mail, etc.) for a broad range of products and services. You want to prove to potential clients and employers that you’re able to do all different kinds of work, not just work in one medium or for one type of client.
I’d also recommend that you avoid sticking to one medium because there are going to be very few jobs in which they’ll only want you to work in one. For example, it’s very, very rare that you’d get a job doing just email writing; it’s much more likely that you’d get a job doing various types of interactive work.
Be very wary of anyone who tells you to pick a niche early in your career. You don’t want to limit yourself too soon—and you also don’t know what all of your options are. Right now, aim to get as broad of experience as possible.
Did this help? Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
But how do you get the first job though?
Hi Hannah,
The first step is really to get the training to actually write copy well. And, as part of that training, you should get both experience and samples for your portfolio. The combination of all of those put you in a much better position to apply for (and get!) a copywriting job. If you’re thinking copywriting might be a good option for you, I encourage you to sign up for our Comprehensive Copywriting Academy waitlist so you can find out more about what we offer. You can get on that list right here.
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
I would have to say, I have been caught by all 5. But, my main culprit would be the cover letter. I hate writing them and once I start them I can’t wait to finish them! I really need to change my mindset for the cover letters. Practice will make perfect!
Quick question: If the questions above only make 1 or 2 sentences what are you putting in the rest of the resume, especially if you have no experience to talk about?
Treat a cover letter like you would a pitch to prospective clients–by adding value. As for resumes, this may help you flesh out yours: https://filthyrichwriter.com/copy-qa-resume-woes/
Thanks for commenting!