Job seekers know that the landscape is competitive, and it’s important to stand out when applying for a job. As a hiring manager, you may have seen some interesting tactics job candidates may use to achieve their goal of standing out and staying front and center during the hiring process.
CareerBuilder recently surveyed hiring managers to learn more about ways candidates have tried to make themselves memorable – some were good and ended up landing them a job, while others, while I’m sure talked about within the company, did not lead to gainful employment.
What have some managers seen? Based on the results from the CareerBuilder survey, here are some ways candidates ended up landing the job:
1. Candidate contracted a billboard outside of employer’s office.
2. Candidate gave a resume on a chocolate bar.
3. Candidate showed up in a suit with a red T-shirt underneath a white shirt. The red T-shirt had a message – “Hire me, I work hard.”
4. Candidate asked to be interviewed in Spanish to showcase his skills.
5. Candidate crafted the cover letter like an invitation to hire her rather than a request (similar to a wedding invitation).
6. Candidate climbed on a roof the employer was repairing and asked for a job.
7. Candidate performed a musical number on the guitar about why he was the best candidate.
8. Candidate volunteered to help out with making copies when he saw interviewer’s assistant was getting frazzled.
9. Candidate repaired a piece of company’s equipment during the first interview.
10. Candidate sent a message in a bottle.
Now for some techniques that weren’t as effective:
1. Candidate back-flipped into the room.
2. Candidate brought items from interviewer’s online shopping wish list.
3. Candidate sent a fruit basket to interviewer’s home address, which the interviewer had not given her.
4. Candidate did a tarot reading for the interviewer.
5. Candidate dressed as a clown.
6. Candidate sent interviewer some beef stew with a note saying “Eat hearty and hire me J.”
7. Candidate placed a timer on interviewer’s desk, started it, and told interviewer he would explain in 3 minutes why he was the perfect candidate.
8. Candidate sent interviewer a lotto ticket.
9. Candidate wore a florescent suit.
10. Candidate sent in a shoe to “get their foot in the door.”
If you’ve ever been responsible for hiring within your company, what have you seen? Please feel free to share with the community – we always love to hear your stories!
