You have heard of people using outrageous ways to get jobs. People have rented billboards; designed games; created a YouTube video with children’s toys and no money; and including your résumé in someone’s morning paper. Some have gotten jobs, others haven’t. Are outrageous tactics going to work for you?
While I can’t seem to find any statistics on using such ways to get a job, it would seem to me that they don’t work. For example, the person opening his morning paper and finding a résumé, doesn’t sound like a good idea. That is just creepy. More like stalking than job hunting.
The people who have rented billboards have gotten jobs, but they spent lots of money on it. They included information about their skills and experience and all the ways they can be contacted by social media in the ad. It seems to say “I’m desperate”. The other examples I provided did result in a job for the people. But can you expect the same result?
Your success will depend on how well you know your industry, the company and the person you are sending your creation to. If you think of an outside of the box method and execute it, chances are it will fail. But with research, it may succeed.
People have put their resumes on their t-shirts, advertising to the world they are looking for a job. The condition of the t-shirt will affect the chances at getting a job. If it is covered with paint, grass stains, or pizza sauce, many people won’t think twice about it. But if the t-shirt is clean and neat, you might stand a chance.
I think it comes down to the circumstances. What you do, where you do it and if you have done your research will manage your success. There are professions and levels were these methods won’t work all. The higher the level, the less likely they are going to a success. The same with professions. The more creative professions may accept it and love it. Conservative professions will probably throw your creativity out the window without thinking twice about it, or even looking at it.
What are your thoughts on creative, out of the box ways to get a job? Have you tried any? What were your results?
This is a great point. You kinda of addressed some thoughts I’ve secretly had about being doing some really way out things to get job. I always think that they have to be trying to up the ante and be fresh and original in the job because they really went way out to get it in the first place!
I shared this on Twitter! Stopping by from the UBC! I think the more creative industries will lend themselves to accepting unique resumes. My fiance is actually looking for a job now and is working with a career coach!
I think the outrageous approach depends on the job? I mean, if you’re in advertising, a well placed billboard or ad could seem smart, but if you are looking for a job as a teacher and you have your resume on your t-shirt, that’s just weird. The newspaper thing, I agree, kinda stalker like – lol. I think the best bet to get the right job is a well written resume and cover letter, and then network, network, network. Thanks for the post, I hadn’t heard of all of the crazy approaches before!