Get Noticed by Employers: The Most Outrageous Ways

With the job market tightening and becoming more competitive than ever, it is no surprise that those seeking employment are tapping into their creative sides to reap the attention of potential future employers.

From wearing sandwich board signs to passing out resumes at a New York train station, the creativity is boundless. Here are a few things people have done to get noticed by potential employers.

No standard resume here...think outside of the box.

One California jobseeker's ingenuity landed him a job as a graphic artist. The guy's last name was Reader, so he designed his resume to resemble the front cover of the Reader's Digest. The table of contents was a summary of his accomplishments, and the titles of the articles were his former jobs and employers. The corresponding page numbers were his dates of employment. This idea was clever; the owner of the graphic arts firm hired him.

In another instance, a nurse decided to write her resume on a small 3x5 card and stuff it in a pill bottle with the label addressed to a prospective employer. It turned out to provide the relief needed, and she was hired.

White-Collar Beggars

In New York, one jobseeker proceeded to panhandle for a job on the S-train. Each morning and evening, the young man addressed the passengers on the train with a well-prepared speech. He indicated, "If you are, or are in touch with, a hiring manager at your company, please take a copy of my résumé. Thank you and enjoy your day."

This approach hadn't been bad, although some people found it annoying and told him to "shut up." Most days, he passed out about 40 resumes to 40 individuals in about 45 minutes. The technique landed him five interviews and two job offers; however, he declined both offers as he seeks the "right" opportunity.

Sandwich Board Gives Hope

Months after one guy lost his job as an investment banker, he hung his faith in finding a new one around his neck on a sandwich board. Carrying a stack of résumés, he took to the Manhattan, New York streets wearing a white board scrawled with black marker: "EXPERIENCED MIT GRAD FOR HIRE."

The jobseeker had been walking the streets advertising his job need for over a year. His approach generated lots of talk, publicity, and interest in his story; however, he still did not get a job.

A few months later, though, a search company contacted him. An accounting company came across his résumé, and recruiters were impressed. After a rigorous screening and interview process, the recruiter called again, and he got the job.

As it turns out, his new boss said he was impressed only by the jobseeker's résumé. The boss didn't even know about all the publicity until later.

Creativity Will Get You Noticed

With a little creativity, you will definitely grab the attention of prospective employers. You could land the big job you've always wanted! Just don't go too far-your tactics could be a turnoff to some.