Careers: wacky ways to get a new job
January is a time for New Year’s resolutions and for new beginnings at work. Whilst most of us will get a new job by conventional means, some people do more than simply respond to a job ad with a CV and then, when selected, attend an interview. These plucky job-seekers used alternative routes to get noticed and put their tenacity to great effect to secure that coveted job.
Alec deployed a smart Google ad
Alec Brownstein famously landed a job by targeting prospective employers using Google AdWords. His inspiration came when he Googled top executives and found there were no paid ads in the search results. Guessing that everyone likes to check and manage their online profile by searching for themselves from time-to-time, he created his own AdWords account and set bids for specific executive names. When Ian Reichenthal, the creative director at agency Y&R googled himself, AdWords served up Alec’s ad for Ian to read. The ad which cost only pence helped secure Alec an interview with the company, and then his portfolio gained him the job.
James overcame interview gremlins
James Lee, has had to cope with some tricky interview situations. It’s not stopped him from landing job offers though. James, who is a marcomms director and a volunteer Board member for the CIM London region, talks about his experience at interview stage with Winsor andNewton the global leader in the art materials market.
“In the job interview, I was asked to do a test that included a preparing a brand marketing plan and budget proposal. The company had miscalculated the case study budget so the itemised budget didn’t make up the full 100% of the overall budget but just 97%. It was not a deliberate mistake on their part but when I did the test and showed I had money left over, they were a bit embarrassed, but instead of making much out of their mistake, I commented, “It’s always good to have some sleeve in the budget for any contingency plans”. I got the job but I think they were impressed with my attention to detail, flexibility and thinking on my feet.”
Today James works for the Glass and Glazing Federation, the leading trade authority in the glass and glazing industry as Director of Marketing and Communications. But at interview stage James had to deal with a technology blip that threatened his chances of success.
“I once went for a job interview and had prepared a PowerPoint presentation (as the company had requested) only to find my version was the latest version of PowerPoint and the company’s version wasn’t. Anyway, it didn’t load, but fortunately I had printed out four copies of the presentation and handed out the print outs and talked them through the points. I got the job and the interviewers were impressed at my contingency planning.”
Given James’ difficult interview experiences, what tips does he have for marketers looking to secure their dream job?
“So, advice to interviewees: prepare for anything that might go wrong,” says James.
Nick shared his creative project and built his profile
Sometimes it’s best to be found rather than to go looking for a job. Media student Nick Jablonka was persuaded by his family to post a video he’d created as part of his A Level coursework – he’d chosen to review John Lewis’s advertising and create his own ad in their emotive house style. Timing has something to do with the reaction he received, as Nick’s fake John Lewis ad was launched on YouTube as everyone was waiting for the retailer’s Christmas ad to be released.
John Lewis Christmas Advert" 2016 - The Snowglobe (A level media coursework)
His animated alternative John Lewis advert, has gained an astonishing 1,500,000 views. John Lewis has praised Nick for his work and invited him behind the scenes to see the making of their TV ads. PR agency W Communications offered Nick a job. It’s certainly built his personal profile as media attention included coverage in the national press and an interview with Good Morning Britain. But for now, Nick is happy to pursue his studies at Bournemouth University.
Reece used showmanship to get an interview
Marketer and musician Reece Ramsaroup, won a year’s work placement through The Marketing Academy, working in marketing for The Prince’s Trust. There’s heavy competition to secure these places as a ‘Merlin Apprentice’ since they provide support with CIM qualifications and invaluable help to fast-track career success.
“Before I even got into marketing I worked as a session musician playing for some fairly big artists. However, that industry has no job security and I decided it wasn’t for me, so that’s when I made that transition. I’m a creative person I wanted a career in an industry that would not only appreciate creativity, but nurture it. I thought marketing was a great fit for those requirements. I happen to follow The Prince’s Trust on Twitter and they tweeted the role. The selection process was quite intense. Not only did you have to provide a CV and a personal reference but they asked for a two-minute showcase about yourself. This is where I took advantage of my musical background. For my showcase, I made a video about how creative I am, while playing the piano.”
So, what advice does Reece give for career success?
“My advice would be that you need to find an industry that you’re passionate about. All the other skills can be taught but passion can’t. Once you’ve established that I believe you’re on the road to success.”
Miriam crafted an ad on Facebook
Miriam Schembari wanted to work in publishing but conventional attempts to land a job hadn’t worked for her. So, she used Facebook to get noticed. Miriam spent around £5 on a Facebook ad linked to her CV which targeted employees at publishing house HarperCollins. Someone at the publisher saw her ad and was so impressed they wrote a blog linked to the ad and CV entitled: 'Why don't we hire more people like this?'. It resulted in a job with HarperCollins.
Alfred went face-to-face to get noticed
Marketing graduate Alfred Ajarni took a direct approach to securing a job. Dressed in a smart business suit he stood at London’s Waterloo station holding a printed sign which read: ‘Marketing graduate (BAHons 2.1 Coventry Uni). Ask for a CV’.
His bold move got him noticed and he landed a job as marketing and PR projects manager at recruitment consultancy Asoria Group. Alfred’s unusual approach and his speedy success gained him a raft of media coverage. Metro newspaper asked him for his advice for other jobseekers: “Don’t be scared to try something new. Safe is risky.”
Adam took out a billboard ad
First class media graduate, Adam Pacitti, was out of work. His lack of job success prompted him to invest in himself with a billboard ad and website to showcase his talent. The billboard ad carried this message:
‘I Spent My Last £500 on This Billboard.
Please Give Me a Job.
It worked!
Nicholas used the power of chocolate
Nicholas Begley demonstrated his creativity as a marketer by printing his resume on a chocolate bar wrapper. He rebranded the confectionary as a ‘ResumeBar- Nicholas Ryan Begley experienced marketing professional’ with the tagline: ‘credentials that will satisfy any organisation’s appetite’. The reverse of the wrapper displayed facts about himself, with the conventional chocolate bar ingredients list providing a roundup of his marketing skills. Importantly the traditional customer service contact number format was used to provide a call to action. With the help of his ResumeBars, Nicholas got his marketing job.
More careers content
If you’re considering your next career move, these recent blogs on CIM Exchange provide food for thought.
‘Should I stay or should I go?’ - Robert Bain, freelance writer and editor
‘How I made it in marketing’ - Giles Harris, Managing Director of agency Come Round
‘Goodbye corporate world’ - Kerttu Inkeroinen former Coca-Cola marketer and now Marketing Director at Union Hand-Roasted Coffee
‘Making the right impression at a job interview’ – CIM
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