As an employment coach, I interact with literally thousands of frustrated job seekers. Is there any such thing as a creative job search? It seems that everyone is searching the online job boards and applying through that method. To be successful in getting a job sooner rather than later, you have to mix things up. Expand your comfort zone. Do a few things concurrently for maximum results.
It’s been a couple of months, but I remember reading an article about a job seeker who took out a billboard advertisement. On the billboard, he listed his name, contact information and website where you were able to view a video of him, his resume, personal information, etc. Talk about a creative job search method! Obviously that only applies if you are looking for a position in the town you are advertising.
Another creative job search strategy in my area was this guy who made a sign, similar to a sandwich board, and wore it at one of the busiest intersections of my community. This method seems to work out well for panhandling, but I would not recommend it for finding a job. Is this creative? You bet! Is it practical and endearing? You have to have special skills to pull this off.
An important component to consider when devising your creative job search methods is to match them with the type of position you are looking to compete in. What kind of message are you sending? How is this affecting your personal brand or reputation? Some industries are naturally creative and lend themselves to interesting tactics. Others are a little more conservative, yet you still need to stand out from the crowd and tap into that hidden job market.
Also keep in mind to match your creative job search strategy to your personality. If you come across with certain character traits when, in reality, these traits are nothing like you, you want to be careful of that. For example, an employer may need someone with a certain amount of flair to their personality and think you are the right candidate. Come to find out, you don’t have that spark can prevent you from earning the job.
My recommendation is not to do just one thing. Similar to a business, you need to have a complete sales and marketing strategy. Businesses use television, radio, newspaper, direct mail, online resources, billboards, paid advertisements, skywriting, banners, social media, creative business cards and swag, logo wear, and a host of other methods to get their name and product/service into the marketplace. As a job seeker, you have to think of yourself as a business owner. What you have to sell is you and you have to add a little moxie to stand out in your creative job search methods.
