* Some of the most unusual attention-getting tactics used by job candidates
Job candidates have tried many unusual ways to distinguish their resumes from the others on a hiring manager’s desk, according to a report from staffing firm Accountemps.
Accountemps polled 150 senior executives about the most unusual thing they’ve seen or heard a job candidate do to stand out from the crowd. Here are some of the untraditional approaches recalled:
* An applicant mailed a shoe with his resume and a note saying he just wanted to get his foot in the door.
* A candidate sent a piece gum with the resume and asked the manager to “chew on the facts.”
* The potential employee sent the CEO his resume on a bottle of alcohol.
* A job seeker circled all the important words on a resume.
* Someone included a 8X10 beauty-pageant photo of herself.
While these tactics are likely to get attention, they do little to increase the likelihood of the person getting the job. “While non-traditional methods can help candidates get noticed, job seekers should remain professional at all times and carefully tailor their approach to the individual company or industry,” says Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of “Job Hunting for Dummies.”
The most appropriate and effective tactic is to stick to the basics and remain professional, Messmer advises. He recommends crafting a targeted resume that details your accomplishments and what type of contributions you can make to the company. His other tips include referencing aspects of the job description in your cover letter, asking focused and intelligent questions that show you did your homework on the employer, citing skills used in volunteer work or other activities outside of work, taking notes during the interview to show your attentiveness, sending a thank-you card or e-mail after the interview, and participating in a professional or industry association.
