New survey: Unusual tactics to land a job

Feel like you have to jump through a hoop of fire to get someone’s attention in your job search?

Well, you’re not alone!

And though jumping through a ring of fire may be a little extreme, job seekers are becoming bolder and more creative about how they approach their search – and how to get noticed.

Today CareerBuilder.com releases a new survey on this topic. We talked to hiring managers, and a surpsising number of them – 12 percent - reported that they’re seeing a growing trend of unusual antics and tactics from candidates.

Among our favorites?

• The candidate advertised on a billboard.
• The candidate carried around a sign that said, “Will work for paying bills.”
• The interviewee brought a broom to the interview to “clean up the waste and corruption in the office.”
• Another candidate wore a shirt to the interview that said, “Please hire me.”
• One job seeker showed up with breakfast for the employer every day until hired.
• A bold applicant approached the hiring manager in a restroom.

You can see the survey results and our full press release here.

What should you do?

In a tight, highly competitive tight job market it makes sense to do something unusual to stand out from the crowd. But you don’t want to cross the line.

Jason Ferrara, one of our Senior Career Advisors here at CareerBuilder.com, says that “the key is making sure you are maintaining an appropriate balance of creativity and professionalism, so you are remembered for the right reasons.”

With that in mind, here are some suggestions:

Don’t be inappropriate. Be creative and unafraid when you’re thinking of ways to make an impression…just don’t be inappropriate, or you’ll be remembered for the WRONG reasons!

Think about your target audience. If you’ve done some research on the company you’re applying to, you should know about them and about the culture at that company. This is incredibly important when you’re competing for a job.

Jumping through the lobby on a pogo stick when you arrive for an interview might work for a new media company, but would be unlikely to impress anyone at a conservative financial firm. Know your audience and tailor your message or your idea accordingly.

Stay on message. No matter what idea you might have about how to make yourself stand out, remember that your actions or antics should always bring the conversation – and the recruiter’s attention – back to you, your qualifications, and what you can offer the company.