Search Smarter: How To Effectively Apply For Job Roles & Land An Interview

Looking for your next job can be a frustrating and worrying time for some, especially at this time of year. You could land a role within weeks, or you can spend months applying to hundreds of positions without a single interview. 

The difference? It's rarely about qualifications. It's about approach. 

At Forward Role, we review applications daily, speak to hiring managers constantly, and see exactly what works and what doesn't in the marketing, digital & data job market. So let's address the three questions every job seeker asks us: 

How many roles should I apply for? Should I include a cover letter? Should I follow up? 

The Job Application Numbers Game  

Let's start with the harsh reality: research shows the average job seeker needs approximately 42 applications to land one interview in 2025, with only 2.4% of candidates reaching the interview stage. Some studies suggest you'll need between 32 and 200+ applications to secure an offer, depending on your industry and experience level. 

Those numbers may sound disheartening. But here's what most people miss: those statistics include job seekers applying to everything related to their industry indiscriminately, using generic applications, and hoping volume will compensate for quality. 

It won't. 

The Quality vs Quantity Application Approach 

Apply to 2-3 carefully selected jobs per day, this strikes the perfect balance between maintaining momentum and ensuring quality. 

Why this specific number? Because it allows you to: 

When You Should Apply to More 

There are exceptions. If you're a recent marketing or digital graduate competing in a larger applicant pool, aim for at least 10 applications per week. The competition at entry-level is fierce, and slightly higher volume helps offset this. 

If you're unemployed and job searching full-time, you can sustainably handle putting in more applications, but quality should never be compromised for quantity. 

The One Metric That Actually Matters 

A healthy ratio for marketing and digital roles is roughly 1-2 interviews per 20 targeted applications. If you're significantly below this, stop applying and fix what's broken. 

 This could be where you are searching, because some ‘marketing’ roles on the job boards are often sales roles in disguise. So make sure you are looking at the main well-known job boards such as Total Jobs, Reed and of course on LinkedIn.  

It could also mean that your CV or approach needs adjustment to land an interview. 

Do You Actually Need A Cover Letter? 

Right, let's address the eternal question: do you need a cover letter in 2025? The data tells an interesting story: 83% of recruiters agree that cover letters are crucial, 74% prefer to receive them, and 77% will give preference to candidates who send one (even when it's listed as "optional.") 

But here's the complication: 74% of recruiters admit they don't always read them. 

So what's the truth? From our recruitment perspective at Forward Role, here's what actually matters: 

When Cover Letters Are Non-Negotiable 

Always include a cover letter when: 

For marketing and digital roles specifically, cover letters can matter more than in many other sectors. Why? Because your cover letter demonstrates your communication skills, strategic thinking, and ability to sell yourself. 

When You Can Skip It 

You can skip the cover letter when: 

The Forward Role Cover Letter Formula 

If you're writing one (and you should be), make it count: 

Keep it short: 3-4 concise paragraphs maximum. Recruiters spend seconds, not minutes, on cover letters. 

Lead with impact: Open with why you're specifically interested in this company and role, not marketing in general. 

Demonstrate, don't claim: Instead of "I'm a creative marketer," show it: "I increased email open rates by 40% by implementing a segmentation strategy based on customer behaviour data." 

Make it skimmable: Use short paragraphs and clear structure. If someone only reads the first sentence of each paragraph, they should still understand why you're a strong candidate. 

Skip the clichés: We see "I'm passionate about marketing" in approximately 97% of cover letters. Show passion through specific examples, not declarations. 

How To Follow-Up Your Job Applications   

Here's where most candidates either do nothing or do far too much. Let's find the middle ground. 

The Initial Application 

After submitting your application, wait. Don't follow up immediately, give the hiring team time to review applications. For marketing and digital roles, the typical review period is 1-2 weeks. 

When to Follow Up (And How) 

If you've heard nothing after 7-10 days, a polite follow-up is appropriate: 

Via email (if you have a recruiter or hiring manager's contact): 

Example: "Hi [Name], I submitted my application for the [Role] position on [Date] and wanted to follow up on its status. I'm very interested in this opportunity and would welcome the chance to discuss how my experience in [specific relevant area] could benefit your team. Could you provide any update on the hiring timeline?" 

Via LinkedIn (if appropriate): For marketing and digital roles, connecting with the hiring manager on LinkedIn can be effective—but do it thoughtfully. Send a personalized connection request mentioning your application (without being pushy), and engage with their content genuinely. 

Pick-Up the Phone: It might feel old-school, but you are more likely to get a quick response by calling the recruiter if you have their details, but do not continually call if they don’t call you back immediately. They may have received a very high volume of applicants. This can come across as impatient and desperate. Follow-up your call with an email or LinkedIn message after a few days. 

When NOT to Follow Up 

Don't follow up if: 

Networking is Key For Jobseekers

Here's the truth: a sourced (outbound) candidate is 5× more likely to be hired than someone who simply applies online. One referral is worth 40+ cold applications. It’s all about who you know and building connections.  

For marketing and digital roles, networking is everything: 

The best follow-up isn't to a job application, t's the relationship you built before the role was even posted. 

Your Job Application Plan Starts Now 

The marketing and digital job market in 2025 rewards quality over quantity, strategy over volume, and persistence over desperation. 

Your action plan: 

The candidates landing the best marketing and digital roles aren't those applying to everything, they're those applying strategically, presenting themselves compellingly, and building relationships that matter. 

Ready to Find Your Next Marketing or Digital Role? 

At Forward Role, we specialise in placing the brightest marketing, digital, data & Technology candidates with the most exciting high-growth businesses and well-known brands.  

Whether you're actively searching or exploring your options, we're here to help you navigate the market strategically and land roles that genuinely match your ambitions. 

Want to discuss your job search strategy or explore current opportunities? Get in touch! 

Save yourself time trawling the job boards and check out our current perm & contract Marketing, Digital Data & Technology roles 

Ready to approach your job search smarter? www.forwardrole.com