Lindsay Olson

2008's Most Unusual Job Seeker Tactics

Careerbuilder.com, the giant job board, recently surveyed 3.388 hiring managers and human resources professionals the unusual antics job seekers this year have played to get the company's attention. In a tight job market, people think of any way they can set themselves apart to land the gig. It's important to keep your audience in mind when using a different approach to set yourself apart. According to Jason Ferrara with Careerbuilder, " the key is making sure you are maintaining an appropriate balance of creativity and professionalism so you are remembered for the right reasons."

Here are the results:

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• Candidate advertised on a billboard.
• Candidate carried around a sign that said, "Will work for paying bills."
• Candidate brought a broom to the interview to "clean up the waste and corruption in the office."
• Candidate wore a shirt to the interview that said, "Please hire me."
• Candidate showed up with breakfast for the employer every day until hired.
• Candidate approached the hiring manager in a restroom.
• Candidate sent a giant cookie with "Hire Skip" written in frosting on it.
• Candidate parked outside of the office building with a sign that said, "Seeking employment."
• Candidate wrote a poem about why she wanted the job in her cover letter.
• Candidate promised to give the employer a foot massage if hired.
• Candidate noticed the employer wrote a blog about a particular restaurant.  She persuaded the restaurant to put her name on the menu so the employer would see it the next time he ate there.
• Candidate created an electronic resume with flash animation and musical score.

I'm sure none of these candidates will ever be forgotten! My two favorites: the candidate with the broom to "clean up corruption" and the foot massage (although I would never recommend a candidate offer this - it could be a little weird!).

What is the craziest antic you have seen someone do to get the job and did you hire him/her?

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