With so many Americans unemployed, competition is fierce - and, job hunters are going wild. More than 10 million Americans are job hunting, and snagging a job can seem as likely as winning the lottery lately. So, job hunters are doing whatever it takes. They aren't only polishing their resume, and honing their interview skills - they're going to unusual sources for employment. "Candidates are looking for unusual ways to make sure they stand out in the crowd, and I think that s only going to increase as the market gets tighter," said Rosemary Haefner with Careerbuilder.com.
Twelve-percent of hiring managers surveyed said that they have seen an increase in unusual job hunting tactics over the past year. "Some of the ones that stand out to me is somebody got a billboard and put up there that they were looking for a job," said Michael Erwin with Careerbuilder.com. "Another person wore a shirt to an interview that said, ‘Please hire me,' and my favorite: someone sent breakfast to the office every day until he was hired." Haefner says that what seem like crazy antics could help some folks secure a job.
In some companies creativity is a must, and they require all prospects to show what they'll do to keep the company ‘weird.' "The whole company has gotten to vote on my hair color three different times," said Method Director of Communications Colleen Reilly. The idea is to find employees who will fit in with a company's hip environment.
When Michelle Hall went in for her interview for Brand Manager, she says she decided to lead a spontaneous yoga class. She got hired, but not every company values that sort of creativity. "You have to know your audience," said Reilly. "If you re going into a job at an accounting firm, you might treat that a little bit differently." The experts' advice: learn about the company's corporate culture before you apply. While you want to be memorable, you don't want to be remembered for the wrong reason. "Some of the ideas we've heard - such as following a hiring manager into a restroom to have a private conversation...I wouldn't advise that," said Haefner.
They also say that you should never do anything you don't feel personally comfortable with. "If you do get the job, it s a reputation that s going to follow you for the rest of your career at that firm," said Haefner. "So, be mindful of how well it represents you. You want to be professional and creative - you don t want to look too wacky."
