Get More Creative With Your Job Applications
A new report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that there are about 5.4 job seekers for each available job in the United States.
We’ve known for a while that competition is stiff. Why not up your game by modernizing your job search tactics?
In CareerBuilder’s annual survey of unusual job search tactics, nearly one-in-five hiring managers (18 percent) reported that they are seeing more job seekers try unusual tactics to capture their attention in 2009, compared to 12 percent in the same survey in 2008.
“The search for employment is taking longer and is more competitive than it has been in past years,” said Jason Ferrara, senior career adviser at CareerBuilder. “To compensate, some candidates have turned to extreme tactics. While unusual job search antics may attract the attention of hiring managers, they need to be done with care and professionalism so that candidates are remembered for the right reasons.”
Some of the most memorable tactics identified by hiring managers include:
- Candidate sent a shoe with a resume to “get my foot in the door.”
- Candidate staged a sit-in in the lobby to get a meeting with a director.
- Candidate washed cars in the parking lot.
- Candidate sent a resume wrapped as a present and said his skills were a “gift to the company.”
- Candidate handed out resumes at stoplights.
- Candidate sent a cake designed as a business card with the candidate’s picture.
- Candidate went to the same barber as the Chairman of the Board and had the barber speak on his behalf.
- Candidate handed out personalized coffee cups.
- Candidate came dressed in a bunny suit because it was near Easter.
- Candidate told the receptionist he had an interview with the manager. When he met the manager, he confessed that he was driving by and decided to stop in on a chance.
What creative tactics have you tried in your job search?
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 am
created a blow-in magazine subscription card with MY info on it when applying for a job at a magazine publishing house. part of the job entailed tracking new subscriptions for variouis publications.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
“5.4 Job seekers” for each available job? There were 100 for the last application where I was called in for an interview. There were over 400 when my wife last interviewed.
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I have been thinking about dressing as the other gender just to show a certain organization that I can do the job they think is reserved for the other.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Lisa: that was brilliant!
Greg: yeah, 5.4 seems waaaaaaay low.
Charles: my advice…don’t do it!!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Does anyone know an applicant that has landed a Job using Career Builder, or any other job site? The search is getting very discouraging without evidence of some success.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I knew one gentlemen that prior to interviewing crumpled a sheet of paper and threw it on the floor. Only one person picked it up and threw it in the trash. He got the job.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I had a call from a recruiter (and was one of 3 who got an interview–though I don’t know yet if I got the job)–and I assume he found my resume on one of the job boards. However, I know what you mean; it seems like you send your resume into a black hole…over and over (hmmmm, is this crazy?!).
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I went to an open house this month. There were 2 admin type or junior HR persons who spends 3-4 seconds sacnning your resume before deciding if you are worth sending to the 2 hiring managers standing at the booth. They spend another 5-10 seconds scanning the 1st page of resume to decide if they want to talk to you. So, rethink about your resumne strategy – you got just 5-10 seconds to sell yourself
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:03 am
I have 28 years of exemplary customer service experience. I have been unemployed since 11/2007 and after sending hundreds (yes, hundreds) of resumes/applications have only had 3 responses which produced 3 interviews but no job offers. Frankly, I think these job sites are not helpful and waste time that could be better spent pounding the pavement. Just my humble opinion…
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:12 am
Ann; Hang in there. I landed a great job from a company based in Florida. I posted on every job board I could find. I am 53 years old and had worked for my former employer for 23 years.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:39 am
Hi there. Been looking for a new position since 3/2008. Experienced with good track record, but I’ve had very few interviews. Have used CareerBuilder-only responses I have had are from Insurance Agencies-advice: don’t post your resume, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable-(doubt if any “legitimate” employer looks there anyway)- As for Craig’sList, I have had responses (mostly from bogus employers), but the few good ones haven’t been successful as I’m applying for out of state and the employers don’t want to wait – quite frustrating. And again-you leave yourself open when you send your resume to “blind” email addresses. There should be stricter laws regulating entities who advertise for jobs to eliminate those who aren’t really employers. Do we out-of-work people need that on top of everything else?
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:47 am
To Ann and the rest,
I got my last two jobs through job boards. I just got my b.s. degree in journalism in 2006 (25 years after I graduated high school). I put my resume on all the major job boards. And my last employer called me to come in for an interview. It was not journalism, but it was a job. And it taught me the ins and outs of building and writing for Websites, along with oodles of experience in internet advertising and search engine optimization. Then 2 1/2 years later I got an e-mail alert from Monster for a copy editor, which is my dream job that I’ve been waiting for. I sent in my resume and was offered the position 30 hours later.
Two things to remember:
1) Even if you already have a job, sign up for the daily or weekly job announcement e-mail alerts from all of the major job boards. You can scan all the available jobs in less than a minute. And you never know; you might just see your dream job flash across your screen!
2) When you submit your resume to the job boards, load it up with all the key words that you think an employer might be looking for. Not sure? Then go to some of the job boards, find the job you want, and read the description they give. Take all the key words from that description and rewrite them into your resume. Employers are not reading your resume. They are submitting keywords that will pull up the resumes they are looking for. If your resume does not include those key words, you’re never seen!
One more thing: Don’t turn down a job just because it pays less than what you want. If, that is, that employer can offer you valuable training in and relating to your field. My last job didn’t pay all that well, and that was definitely a pride buster. But I landed a 60% pay increase from that job to this one, due largely in part to the skills I picked up from the last employer!
Good luck!
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 am
Every employer with a JOB posted on the net hides behind this screen of secrecy with no company name address phone number just a glorified posting of how much I want this job and the same old mumbo jumbo about what the job entails. How do you break the code and set up the first interview let alone the 2nd.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:39 am
Created Power Point presentation of resume and cover letter.
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Team, I feel your passion and love the input. I knew I was going to be laid off 9 months ago and scaling the job boards for 3 weeks, since being laid off June 30. I had my first interview last week. The job was from an old friend but he said my application would be sent around and kept on file. So first , I am contacting friends, applying on job websites. Handing out resumes on the street corner sounds like a great idea. I wonder how that would look if you stand in front of another employer’s business. Just hand the resume to the employees as they go to work. If your 62, no degree, with 30 years Management experience, Project, SAP, and Systems Engineering Mgr. experience, any suggestions?
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Stay positive and don’t get discouraged. We are not doing anything wrong.
July 24th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Good news to hear Chip. I have been unemployed since 5/2008 with a company for 26 years. I am 55 years old and I keep thinking employers don’t want someone 55 they would rather have some 20-30 year old. I had one interview a month ago and was very nervous, I didn’t answer some of the questions as I should have so I am mad at myself for that. I will do better on the next one. Have to stay positive and it will happen. I will succeed.
July 24th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I would also like an answer to Ann’s question about knowing anyone who has landed a job thru Careerbuilder. I really like Lisa’s idea. Any other great ideas from anyone?
July 26th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Just this week I took over a batch of fresh baked (from scratch) cookies to the HR department of a local university where I have submitted for 57 admin positions in the past 18 months. The receptionist happily took the baked goods and ushered me into the office of one of the directors who was more than eager to examine my resume and make good suggestions for a rewrite to hide some of my age-related over-qualifications.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
I’ve had similar issues as Diane and feel that people are looking for someone younger and having 20 – 30 years experience is not necessarily going to get you the job. I inteviewed at something that was a perfect match and just a few feet from my prior position and still didn’t get the job. Also had people in the industry recommend me. I did the same as Diane by being nervous and not answering the questions as well as I should. Very frustrating.
August 6th, 2009 at 10:17 am
There are still a limited number of jobs listed in newspaper classified ads in addition to the digital sites. I have at least gotten the attention of the hiring person at a company in the classifieds, thanks to an old schoolmate who works there. The resume is critical, but having an advocate is even more critical. Networking is also an important part of the equation along with patience, persistence and flexibility. Age has become a significant issue however, so use that by emphasizing the advantages to the potential employer of maturity, mentoring, stability and decision making abilities that may not be found in the under 30 age group.
September 5th, 2009 at 2:10 am
I am also getting very frustrated with sending out resumes and not getting any feedback. I have been out of work since 4/2008 and have only had 2 interviews with companies that misrepresented the job and really wanted me for sales jobs. I have a human resources background so this should not be a problem for me, I would think, but I have done everything I know and still no job. I have already talked to every person I know about any kind of job and am still getting no where. Anyone have any other suggestions?
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:52 am
A few of the recipients fired back complaints to the sales rep calling the mass email with addresses exposed a “breach of confidence.” Among the complaints:
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:53 am
Did you know that the London based graffiti artist
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:54 am
has most of his artworks collected on Flickr and quite a few of them are also
November 13th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Not sure? Then go to some of the job boards, find the job you want, and read the description they give. Take all the key words from that description and rewrite them into your resume.