Today’s job climate demands one to be different in order to stand out from the crowd. Being different is absolutely KEY and it means you must be creative.  Below are 4 creative ideas to help get you thinking about approaches to get you in the door to your next gig. Remember, once you get in the door – keep the creativity coming! This could mean asking the hiring manager to have your interview over lunch, or even a beer after work. Use your own ideas – just remember to be different and stand out!

1. Send a business Improvement Idea

This could be anything – something on operations efficiency for their industry; a super clever marketing ad they could consider; a new product idea; even a lucrative referral. Add this to your cover letter with a note saying “Give me ten minutes and I can explain how this could add to your bottom line”.  There are many ways you can approach this – 1, setting the hook by revealing just enough to get their interest, or 2, sharing full details and letting them know that those ideas are just the beginning.  If that doesn’t get you in the door, keep it going. Follow up the next week detailing your previous ideas while adding a Part II. Chances are good that they will have already discussed your ideas and will be hungry for more.

2. Advertise to Your Target Companies

Pardee, 22 of Lakeview, built some self-promotional Facebook ads to target Conde Nast employees. He got the job.  Things are also looking positive for Mark Heuer of Milwaukee after he created a web site Mark4Hire.com then marketed it via billboard. People are even known to advertise with signs at stop-lights or in front of target corporation headquarters. Be creative and try something new – the world is changing and it means you need to compete more for that next job.

3. Offer a Finders Fee

Offering a finders fee can help motivate your network to help you land your next job. Michael Checkoway used his public relations expertise to craft a finder’s fee based on the salary of next job. He even offered trips to Cabo San Lucas, Las Vegas, and New York to grab attention as a grand prize. He then put a website together that outlined the details which were more than generous – asking only for leads and referrals.

4. Create Something Viral

This is something companies do to create stealth marketing campaigns for brand awareness or other marketing objectives. These techniques use pre-existing social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or even chain emails and can take the form of funny videos, images, games etc. Jeremy Hunt and Bruce Branit were widely known as the first to use this medium for success with their 3 minute digital short movie ‘405’. Following the films launch, Hunt and Branit saw their lives turned upside down by the media attention that followed. They were signed by talent agents CAA, offered directing deals, and now sell merchandise related to the film. Be creative – be yourself – just remember to tag your viral with your website or contact details!

We have just compiled a list of America’s highest paid jobs for 2010 and beyond. These aren’t careers that will fizzle out next year either - their growth curves are all over 10% and reach out to 2018. If you’re early in college – you might want to consider these!

1. Anesthesiologist $292,000

Top pay: $408,000
Anesthesiologists get paid to be work on the risky edge of life and death – literally. An Anesthesiologist uses anesthetic agents, or simply drugs, to put patients under so that surgeons can operate safely and painlessly. However, one small miscalculation could kill the patient and ruin everyone’s day. The 12 years of training adjacent to the daily stress makes for a well-paid medical professional.

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Below is an actual resume of a Financial Advisor seeking $102,000 annual salary.

We have made some minor changes i.e. dates and names, to his resume for privacy concerns.

John Sharp

Financial Investment Advisor, Stockbroker, Securities Principle

101 E 9th
New York, NY 90021

Objective:

Financial Advisor

Brief Intro

Series 7, 24, 63, and 66 licensed financial professional with a four-year record of success as a financial advisor, stockbroker, and trader. I currently manage more than $12 million in capital assets and serve as a principle/partner of more than $150 million in portfolio assets.

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Interview with a Web Designer

by Mark Sotell

What is the job like to be a Web Designer: 

Being a web designer makes work fun every day because I am able to use my own creativity in almost every process. Its also rewarding as many people look at my work on a daily basis, some websites see my work more than 10,000 times a day. The work environment is great as I’m a gadget head – I get to geek out on computers and software all day. 
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Below is an actual resume of a Finance Director $102,000 annual salary.

We have made some minor changes i.e. dates and names, to her resume for privacy concerns.

Shannon Melbourne

558 W. 9th St. #167
El Segundo, CA 90021

(310)000-0000

Objective:

Director of Finance

Personal Statement

Detail-focused and highly succesful Fortune 500 Financial Analyst and Director of Finance. My professional growth has bounded from financial analyst, to senior financial analyst, to a director of finance through strong leadership skills, my ability to interface between cross-functional teams and senior managment, and my constant pursuit of knowledge. I have 6 years of experience in forecasting, budgeting, risk management, long range planning , and ad hoc analysis of expense, income, capital, and cash flows. I’m a graduate of the BofA Leadership program and I have a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting.

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