I love gin. Especially Four Pillars.
So this post SERIOUSLY caught my eye.
AND THEN I READ THE JOB AD ITSELF.
At the time, I wasn't a trained marketer. I was writing in a marketing agency, sure. (Technically speaking, I'm trained in other art forms, classically.) So I thought long and hard about how to stand out in a sea of gin-obsessed contenders with fancy MBAs and exceptionally long-winded CVs.
I decided to keep it simple. And tell my story of how their gin had changed my life. And like any good story, it should be no bullshit.
Was it personal? You bet. Would it contain information unknown to many of the people closest to me? Absolutely.
I SENT IT All OFF. A WEEK LATER, I SAW THIS.
And then, the phone rang, confirming my interview slot for the role. And from 550, there were now 11 of us.
THE hour-long interview went well.
A few days later, I got another call saying I'd progressed to the final 3 candidates. They also shot through a brief for some writing tasks. (I'd been drinking plenty of gin through lockdowns, so I felt prepared.)
Task 1. A spec journal post/brand story about Four Pillars being awarded the world's best gin for the second-year running.
Task 2. Some Christmas-themed brand story ideas for content.
I sent my stuff. then there were TWO.
A final interview was held with another co-founder. We drank gin and chatted. He liked my ideas, and everything I said. Though he made one particular comment, and instantly I knew I wasn't gonna get the gig. And that it also wouldn't come down to talent…
I was right — getting my rejection call the next day. No real explanation, but they threw in the old, "we might use you as a freelancer if you're interested?"
The most ironic part of all this is that I still buy and drink their gin. And while every swallow hurts a little, it all makes for a bloody good story.
P.S. They did go on to win that back-to-back award I wrote about. So I ended up seeing what my rival penned…