Article # 6 STRAND: Working in International Businesses

WEEKEND WORKOUT

Creative job-seeking tactics that work

JENNIFER MYERS

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Published Friday, Aug. 20, 2010 5:00PM EDT

Last updated Friday, Sep. 03, 2010 5:12PM EDT

Sofia Theodorou, vice-president of human resources at Toronto’s LoyaltyOne Inc. had one job candidate offer to clean her home in her spare time. Leanne James, senior vice-president of HR at Apex Public Relations Inc., recalls one job seeker who sent in a note and a photo of herself before attending a group interview so Ms. James could “pick her out of the crowd.”

Yes, the economy may be improving, but it’s still a tough job market and the competition among job seekers remains fierce. And that has some of them getting creative, trying more unconventional methods to catch the eye of hiring managers.

Nearly one-quarter (22 per cent) of 2,778 hiring managers surveyed recently by online job site CareerBuilder.com reported that they are seeing more candidates try unusual methods to capture their attention. That’s up from 18 per cent in 2009, and 12 per cent in 2008.

Nearly one-in-10 said they had hired someone who used a creative tactic to stand out from the crowd.

But when it comes to job-search tactics, there’s a fine line between creative and crazy, said Ms. James. What appeals to one hiring manager, may turn off another.

While stepping off the conventional path may be welcome or even expected in creative fields such as marketing or PR, human resource experts suggest ditching the over-the-top antics when it comes to more traditional sectors such as insurance or banking.

That doesn’t mean you can’t differentiate yourself though, Ms. James said. “If I have a pile of résumés to go through, even using a different font or a really nice paper can stand out.”

No matter which method you use to stand out, it must be professional. You want to be remembered for your skills and what you can offer an organization, not simply for an unusual antic.

ANALYSIS: Creative job-seeking tactics that work, Jennifer Myers, August 20, 2012, the Globe and Mail

The Economy is improving but competition is still as fierce as ever, and many job-seekers are taking things a step further. Leanne James who is a senior vice president at Apex Public Relations Inc remembers a job-seeker sending her a photo and a note of herself at a group meeting so she would remember her. However, like the article says, there really is a difference between being creative in the way you appeal to your employer and necessary attention. It seems like a good idea to be creative with the way you apply for a job when it comes to jobs like a spokesperson since no one would hire a boring person. But then again, going all out to get a job in insurance or banking may not be a good idea since the tone is a little more serious. Creativity will help you be remembered, but going overboard won't get you anywhere!

The Strands it relates to:

This unique article relates to the "Working in International Business" because even if the article isn't exactly about applying for jobs in international markets but a generalization can be made that being creative can increase your chances of getting the job you desire. In order to work in a business you have to first apply for the job, and sometimes it isn't as easy as just sending in a good application. If you want your employer to know you and like you, going the extra mile will help.

Thoughts and Opinions:

I think what Leanne James says is right in terms of going overboard in creativity, but if you really want to stand out in your employers mind sometimes that extra bit of creativity does the trick. However, what one employer may like, another may really hate. It's important to take into mind what kind of position you want as well, no one wants a banker that throws cocktail parties every night.