Some people will do almost anything to get a job — like show up for a job interview dressed as a clown or send the interviewer a bowl of beef stew.
Don’t laugh — they’ve been done, although experts don’t recommend it.
“Thinking outside the box is great, but the stunts that work best are the ones that showcase your relevant skills and abilities,” said Rosemary Haefner, the head of Human Resources at Careerbuilder.
With unemployment still stubbornly high and the job market for younger workers tight, some see the job-interview gimmick trade increasing.
There was the recent job seeker who did a back flip into the interview room, the person who wore a fluorescent suit to the interview in hopes of standing out, and the job seeker who did a Tarot reading for her prospective employer, according to a recent poll.
The poll didn’t say if the Death Card was displayed.
Oh yes, one applicant must have had riches on his mind when he sent his interviewer a lotto ticket, according to the poll, undertaken by the Chicago-based online employment site.
That kindhearted soul who sent the beef stew? He or she attached a note: “Eat hearty and hire me.”
Yet another job seeker sent a shoe to “get my foot in the door.”
Inventive? Yes.
Imaginative? Sure.
Successful? Afraid not.
These are all examples of job strategies that feel flat.
Imaginative job seeking approaches, a Careerbuilder official said, have limits.
“The focus of the interview should be why you would be a great addition to the team and not what you’re willing to do to be noticed,” she added.
“Tailor your resume, cover letter, and interview preparations to the specificities of the position.” adds the employment agency’s Matthew Tarpey.
And what are examples of job-seeking stunts that worked?
Successful job candidates included a person who climbed on a roof the employer was repairing and then asked for a job.
One handy job candidate repaired a piece of company equipment on the first interview.
Another eager beaver volunteered to help make copies when he saw the interviewer’s assistant was frazzled.
One songbird candidate performed a musical number on a guitar. The song explained why the candidate would be good for the job.
Another candidate put his resume on a chocolate bar.
And one candidate wanted everyone to know that he was seeking a job with the company … so he put his offer on a billboard outside its office.