Unconventional ways to apply for a job

"To Whom It May Concern" just won't cut it anymore!

 

Once upon a time, dropping off a resume and cover letter was more than sufficient to get a phone call back for a job interview. Times were simple. But employers out there are bored of the same ol’ same ol’ - give them something to get jazzed up about and you may just get a job out of it.

  out-of-the-box job-applying tactics

1) Smile for the camera
Employers can engage with you better visually with a video resume. They see your personality and get a sense of who you are right off the bat - almost like a preview for an interview. Most viewers click away from a video after the first 5 seconds (if they can) unless the video is engaging enough to keep them watching. This is how you can keep an employer on your screen (it's quite similar to how you'd apply using a traditional resume!):
·      Put your best face forward
·      Use the first 5 seconds to hook them with an attention-grabber.
·      Clearly and briefly state your objective.
·      Explain how your expertise matches and exceeds the sought-after job profile.
·      Use the next 20 - 30 seconds to list previous experiences that enhance your ability to get the job done.
·      Close the video with a good exit sentence (and a smile couldn’t hurt).
Your video resume shouldn’t exceed 2 minutes. You want your employer to walk away from the experience with two thoughts: 1) this person values my time, and; 2) this person is both effective and efficient (just another qualification under your belt).
2) Hook them with your resume
Okay, let’s not get all Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde about it, but having a resume that stands out is key. If you’re camera shy, you may prefer the traditional text resume. The problem is that most employers skim resumes. Give them a reason to actually read yours. Here are some pointers to get you started:
·      Make it easy to read.
·      Write it in your voice rather than in a dreary and drab voice.
·      Make it represent your personal brand using clean fonts and formatting.
Just stay away from the glitter and stickers.
3) Be witty
A 22-year-old man from Winnipeg, after persistently phoning a potential employer to follow-up on a job posting (to no avail), sent a $12 pair of running shoes from Wal-Mart directly to the employer with a note that read: “I’m not sure if you’re just too busy for me or if you’re running - but if it’s the latter, here’s something to help you run faster.”  He got a phone call the same day.
4) Spin a web of skills
Getting people to recommend you online can not only increase your online presence and influence your personal brand, but it also tells employers you’re serious about the gig and demonstrates how you can be an asset to the company. Some companies have even been known to make social media advocacy part of the whole application process. Here are some ways to get heard:
·      Take to Twitter and plead with your followers to @ mention your employer with a 143-character endorsement for you.
·      Create a Facebook page for your employment and invite all your friends to join - if you can get that much engagement for a totally self-indulgent cause, just imagine what you can do for the employer!
·      Write a blog post about why you want to work for said employer and share it with all your social media channels.
·      Auction yourself off on eBay. A 55-year-old man from Britain did it - and got a job offer.

If it’s easy, it won’t be worth it...

...and if it’s worth it, it won’t be easy. Be persistent and go after what you want. But remember, there’s a thin line between persistence and spam. Know where to draw that line and you’ll be fine.

From: Goldengirlfinance.com/ Posted by Mags