Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
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Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
Advice and tips on finding your next job
Some job-seekers are using unusual gimmicks to grab the attention of potential employers, such as in one case sending a shoe along with a resume to get a "foot in the door." What are some other crazy
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Forums » Jobs: General » Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
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Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 6/10/2009 1:44 PM EDT
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Posts: 890
First: 6/3/2008 Last: 11/20/2009 |
Some job-seekers are using unusual gimmicks to grab the attention of potential employers, such as in one case sending a shoe along with a resume to get a "foot in the door." What are some other crazy ways those who are out-of-work could use to attract the attention of a potential employer? |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 6/12/2009 9:22 PM EDT
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Posts: 155
First: 10/10/2006 Last: 9/5/2009 |
The only attention these gimmicks will get is negative. With the over abundance of resumes coming in, the last thing a recruiter needs is a shoe. By the way, I heard that story about 7 years ago in a recruiting class so it is not new to this dreadful economy and I now wonder if it ever happened at all. The best way to be noticed is to have a well written resume that highlights one's accomplishments in a quantitative manner, e.g. " increased Northeast sales by 7%" ipo " was in charge of sales in the Northeast" . Unless you are a stellar resume writer, and most of us are not, have it professionally done; its money well spent. Most recruiters want to look at a resume and know in a minute if the person is worth a call back. While resume styles differ by industry (someone applying for a graphic arts position will not have the same style as someone in the financial world) they should always be clear, concise and professional. |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 6/14/2009 3:15 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 6/14/2009 Last: 6/14/2009 |
A couple thoughts here. 1.)Some methods done tastefully do get positive attention. In fact, last I walked around Post Office square (and throughout the Financial District) with a sandwich board with some clever language essentially offereing my "Free Resume". I was asked for my resume 5 times, spoke to several high ranking Execs who offered up additional advice in my job search, and received much support and kind words. I only wish Boston.com would have done a story on one of their own who was attempting to be creative, rather than on a guy with a megaphone in Toronto. 2.)To Sandybaby: It's quite obvious you are still employed. I am a 26 yo with outstanding research experience, have had professional assistance on my resume, have been actively networking and applying to jobs for nearly 8 months (with thoughtfully put together cover letters) and have had very few bites. You're missing the point. In a period of high unemployment, everyone is going the extra mile on their resume, and there are thousands of people using the same, old traditional methods which can easily get lost in the mix. PS. Boston.com feel free to seek me out, I'd love to talk more about my experience and am thinking of doing it again this coming Monday! |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 6/17/2009 10:36 AM EDT
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Posts: 9
First: 6/17/2009 Last: 8/25/2009 |
Here's the thing; thinking about crazy ways in order to grab an employer's attention can actually work counterproductive for yourself. The term "crazy" or "unusual" typically translates into "unprofessional" to an employer. Sorry - but it's the truth. What's the right way into a Recruiter or Hiring Manager's mind? Think creatively, think in ways that are unique and make you different from your competitor(s), and think logically. Hey, if you want to attach a sandwich board with neon reflectors on it or dance around in the middle of post office square with your high school band singing "Hello Goodbye" by the Beatles; go right on ahead. But I can tell you; if you are seeking the job of choice and act in behaviors that are questionable - then your candidacy for employment will become questionable. Just remember; you can make yourself unique from your competition in many ways without putting on a production. Different verbiage and buzz words on your resume, a routine follow-up method to the employer, or even a new age and fresh cover letter can do the trick-new age means using your head and not internet templates. OR if you prefer to make a great impression, trying to score an informational interview with the desired employer is a great way to learn the business and your interviewer (plus the interviewer will remember you because you were 10 minutes early, in a professional suit, and was prepared with questions that pertain to the company and the role....right?....right). Don't give up hope - just because there are ten times the competition out there doesn't make it right for you to become the headline for the news. You will get there using creative tactics. |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/7/2009 9:46 AM EDT
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Posts: 29
First: 6/18/2009 Last: 10/23/2009 |
Nothing crazy here. Just do a good job and keep a good reputation. Prospective employers will know who they want based on that. As someone who actually occasionally has to screen candidates, gimmicks turn me off.
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 8:37 AM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: 7/8/2009 Last: 7/28/2009 |
I think, if done professionally and tastefully, a lot of these gimmicks that you hear will result in some future leads for these job-hunters. For those that think it will result in a negative image I question your thought-process. The resume will always tell you what they've done in the past but these gimmicks can show you what they're currently thinking, how creative they can be, how do they want to differe from the rest of their competition, and most importantly you get a feel right away of the personality of the person. Will this person's mind-set and thought-process work in our culture? There are a bunch I've seen out there that I would at least call the person to find out more information and that's what these gimmicks are trying to do. Just get the person's foot in the door for a conversation. I'm in marketing so maybe I'm liking the creative side of people and what they have to offer. Maybe these gimmicks wouldn't work in the financial sector or other more conservative places but I applaud the people who are going above and beyond to get noticed as long as it's done tastefully. The malecopywriter.com site is great! |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 9:48 AM EDT
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Posts: 481
First: 5/31/2006 Last: 11/21/2009 |
Malecopywriter it might work for gay jobs in atlanta, but not for anything in a solid corporate office, you know the kind that Mark Sanford runs |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 9:52 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 7/8/2009 Last: 7/8/2009 |
Instead of trying to think of wacky ways to get your potential employers attention, time would be better spent thinking of how to make your resume stand out from the others without grandstanding. I know that if someone sent me a shoe I would call them and tell them how dumb and unprofessional I thought it was. I'd never hire someone who did that. Take some classes, volunteer, do anything to enhance the skills you can catalogue on your resume. Your work should speak for itself. Gimmicks may work on rare occasion for a select number of employers, but are far more alienating that it is an asset. |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 11:02 AM EDT
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Posts: 418
First: 6/26/2008 Last: 11/23/2009 |
As someone that does a fair bit of recruiting, anything gimmicky turns me off entirely (although, granted I do work in financial services, so we also look for a certain type of person... namely, a professional one). I have been the recipient of a resume in the mail with the envelope being filled with small shiny stars, resumes that include photos of the person, or worse, clip art, resumes/cover letters written in unusual fonts/colors/colored paper.... I could go on! My current pet peeve is even though the ad clearly states to apply via email, people who mail you their resume/cover letter. The best way to get attention is to keep your cover letter short, yet in it address how you match the specific requirements outlined in the ad. A clear resume, with chronological work history (most recent first) and being able to articulate how you specifically achieved something - rather than "my team had a 20% increase in sales, what did YOU do to achieve this increase. Always, always, always spell check anything you send to a potential hiring manager (resume, cover letter, follow up email etc - remember, treat every touch point with a hiring manager as part of the interview process). Be sure to use relevant industry sites that you can post your resume on; and any other resume posting sites that you can - just get your name out there. If not working, as others have said, use your time to attend courses, networking events, seminars, doing volunteer work - not only will it get you out of the house and with people, it will also keep your skills fresh and you may just meet a future employer along the way. |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 11:40 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 7/8/2009 Last: 7/8/2009 |
This thread ignores the very real fact that different industries respond to "crazy" gimmicks in different ways. If you are in marketing, an interesting and creative gimmick can highlight your creativity -- a desired trait in that field. If you are in the medical field, it would seem simply like a lack of judgment or discretion. Know your industry and know the types of skills and personalities that industry is looking for, and then tailor your job search appropriately. In a few industries crazy gimmicks will shine and get you jobs leads. In many others, those same gimimicks will get you blacklisted. |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 11:43 AM EDT
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Posts: 7
First: 4/16/2009 Last: 10/22/2009 |
Its all about getting your resume into the right hands. All the gimmicks will not work unless you reach those hands. I found a job online which I thought was perfect for a friend. I emailed him and told him to forward his resume. He did and got the usual canned response thanking him for his resume and that it would be reviewed blah blah blah. So he took the ball and ran with it. All the way down to the location where they were hiring. I had advised against this, as I considered it a bad move, but my friend managed to meet his potential boss in person and gave him his resume. He got the job. |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 12:06 PM EDT
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Posts: 155
First: 10/10/2006 Last: 9/5/2009 |
In Response to Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers: 2.)To Sandybaby: It's quite obvious you are still employed. I am a 26 yo with outstanding research experience, have had professional assistance on my resume, have been actively networking and applying to jobs for nearly 8 months (with thoughtfully put together cover letters) and have had very few bites. You're missing the point. In a period of high unemployment, everyone is going the extra mile on their resume, and there are thousands of people using the same, old traditional methods which can easily get lost in the mix. PS. Boston.com feel free to seek me out, I'd love to talk more about my experience and am thinking of doing it again this coming Monday! Posted by Apguil14 Apguil...actually, I am not employed, haven't been for some time. So much for you being able to see the obvious! I am, however, experienced enough to know silliness doesn't get you anywhere. Professionalism works better every time. I'm not saying one's resume should be boring and humdrum, but parlor tricks aren't going to get anyone a job. Its a tough market out there right now. I saw some guy on the news who used the sandwich board tactic and that was a great way to get his resume out there (I applaud you for having the guts to do it). But if his resume was junk no amount of fanfare would have got him hired. |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 12:27 PM EDT
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Posts: 6
First: 1/11/2009 Last: 8/22/2009 |
In Response to Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers: The only attention these gimmicks will get is negative. With the over abundance of resumes coming in, the last thing a recruiter needs is a shoe. By the way, I heard that story about 7 years ago in a recruiting class so it is not new to this dreadful economy and I now wonder if it ever happened at all. The best way to be noticed is to have a well written resume that highlights one's accomplishments in a quantitative manner, e.g. " increased Northeast sales by 7%" ipo " was in charge of sales in the Northeast" . Unless you are a stellar resume writer, and most of us are not, have it professionally done; its money well spent. Most recruiters want to look at a resume and know in a minute if the person is worth a call back. While resume styles differ by industry (someone applying for a graphic arts position will not have the same style as someone in the financial world) they should always be clear, concise and professional. Posted by sandybaby |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 12:32 PM EDT
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Posts: 6
First: 1/11/2009 Last: 8/22/2009 |
As a recruiter, I can honestly say that this is NOT the way to get "your foot in the door". We are overwhelmed with resumes to review, especially in these downtimes, so the only resumes that will catch our attention are well-written, concise, and include highlights of accomplishments. Also, if you have not spent a significant amount at your past few jobs and have good reasons for not doing so, it's best that this is explained up front, either in the cover letter or in the body of the resume; otherwise you will be written off as a "job jumper." |
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Re: Crazy ways to grab attention from employers
posted at 7/8/2009 4:36 PM EDT
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Posts: 7
First: 6/4/2008 Last: 7/8/2009 |
I've seen this--more subtle than crazy: http://hiremehaiku.com/ |
Forums » Jobs: General » Crazy ways to grab attention from employers