Top 10 Creative Job Applications

Last year, BBC News released a stat saying for every graduate post; they receive 52 applications – an 11% increase on the year before. In fact, one internship I applied for had over 500 applicants. 

So how can you make your application stand out? Well let’s learn from the best. Here are my top ten creative job applications: 

10. Using Pinterest

Jeanne Hwang wanted to work for Pinterest so created her application through the site itself: 

It didn't work for Pinterest but she did get a job offer from an analytics company from it. 

9. Using QR Codes
Victor Petit created 'the talking CV' by placing this QR code on the back of his CV: 

This original digital content-rich CV led to an internship with a Communications agency. 

8. Using Videos as a cover letter

Gareth Cash created this simple, yet effective 'My Cover Letter' video. 

This led to an internship with 4Creative.
PS His website is pretty amazing too! 

7. Using Videos to show off your skills

James Goldie created this to show off his skills and catch the eye of Australian company, Pollenizer: 

He got the job!

6. Using everything to get to Google! 
Matthew Epstein wants to work at Google... who doesn't?! He put together this video and website googlepleasehire.me

He didn't end up with Google but he did get over 80 job offers from it! 

5. Using Billboards

You may recognise this one, Adam Pacitti hired a billboard, created a website employadam.com, a video CV and using Twitter and Facebook watched his campaign go viral in less than 24 hours. He achieved coverage in The Daily Mail, The Mirror and The Independent to name a few. 

Well, he certainly achieved a lot of coverage and attention. But there are some cynics among the fans. Tracey Barrett from Blue Sky PR aired her concerns over his job application. He did find work though - he is now employed. 

4. Using initiative to create the job 
Lindsay Blackwell wanted to work at the University of Michigan. She created stunning website, Dear Lisa Rudgers featuring this video: 

She didn't get the job but she found another one out of it! 

3. Using videos interactively 

Graeme Anthony applied to We Are Social, and as with any creative agency - you should stand out too! He used this interactive video experience to capture their hearts: 

We Are Social blogged about the application but stated unfortunately they just didn't have any open positions. He ended up with another high-roller instead, Frank PR.

2. Using AdWords

Alec Brownstein decided that as a top director, you may Google yourself every now and then so he bought out the Ads for six top directors he wanted to work for, pointing them to his online CV. Check out his video below: 

From this, he received two job offers. 

1. Using videos to target the agency

This is the first 'creative' application I ever saw and remains my favourite. Simple but so effective, Laura Tosney created this video as a part of a larger application for 33 Digital. Titled 33 Reasons to Hire Me but don't worry, she only actually lists 5! 

She got the job... obviously! 

So that was my top ten. A couple of my peers have done some unique applications also: 

• Alex Warren, final year PR student devised the 'Adopt a PR Student' campaign for his placement hunt in 2011.

• For a summer internship in California at TOMS, final year International Business Management student Amanda Cordrey created a brand new CV and dedicated her website to this cute Prezi: 

• For another summer internship with Bournemouth based company, King of Watersports, final year PR student Fleurie Forbes-Martin tailor-made this CV for the firm, showing off her passion for the work with a watersport based theme! 

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Fake it 'til you make it

Whilst on placement, my advisor said something that really stuck with me:

She was referring to office politics but it’s true in everything really isn’t it?

Yesterday, Liz Willingham, Owner and Managing Director of Liz Lean PR came to guest lecture to us. Liz Lean PR is predominantly a media relations firm but has had some interesting clients, my favourite being the Beach Polo. Liz focused mainly on the professionalism and etiquette standards graduates need to live up to. Perhaps everyday basics for most of us, but there are still some of us that forget. I recently wrote of the attitude manygraduates seem to have, and Liz seemed to be talking along the same lines.

She listed a few of these key points to remember:

• Understanding the pecking order – you will start at the bottom after graduation
• Body language is key – remember to appear open at all times
• You must be a team player
• Spell check everything
• List all that needs to be done – planning is crucial
• Your media database is your bible
• Remember to eat lunch!

I have to say, this sort of lecture is probably better suited to first or second years but it never hurts to be reminded.

So what’s the thinking behind Fake it ‘til you make it? Well… in my case, I was told if I played along with the politics game, I would eventually succeed in that office environment. A kind of imitating confidence until it appears in real life lesson. I never really comment on the office politics in some of my previous roles but the fact is, it does exist. You will always meet people who do not want to work as a team with you, and they can get nasty. Some may be threatened by you, others just walk all over everybody to try and get to the top and some, may just be the stereotypical PR bitch we see on TV shows. Whatever the reason, something I did learn and Liz touched on in her lecture - it’s never personal. Whether they’re commenting on your makeup, dress sense, press release or even your personal life, it’s not because of something you did wrong, more than likely it’s their issue. But some people do well just because they know how to play the game. 

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The Graduates of the 21st Century

With 92 days to go before dissertation hand-in and then the long-awaited freedom of the BAPR students of Bournemouth University, many of us have started the somewhat terrifying hunt for post-graduation roles. I recently posted a list of various Graduate Schemes for this year but it's not just the prospect of finding suitable jobs in a recession, you have to be the one they want to hire.

According to The Guardian, almost half of graduates are 'ill-equipped for the world of work'. This article focuses on the relevance of degree-choices to actual job choices... but I've noticed something of an attitude; a belief among this generation of graduates that also makes them ill-equipped for the world of work.

I've heard so many stories of late of truly talented people kicked off graduate schemes, fired, or, for want of a nicer word, forced into resignation simply due to their attitude. It seems like such a minor thing but sadly, some of these stories have led to black marks on people's professional records.

A while ago, I met a PR graduate who said he simply wouldn't apply to any company asking for more than his CV, because it should showcase his wealth of experience enough without writing more meaningless essays and completing interview tasks... Myself included, graduates and interns today seem to have an 'untouchable' self-belief in themselves. Believing themselves to be of a higher standard than someone who should photocopy or make tea, believing that as a graduate, they are experts in the area and should be appreciated as such. The truth of the matter is that actually after studying the subject, you then start at the bottom and learn from all those around you, we all have different strengths, and different weaknesses.

My mother teaches A-Level students and when I asked her about students' attitudes, she said that in general, we were much more cocky, much more selfish and much more ungrateful than former generations, but that said, society had made us that way by forcing us to grow up too early and not have a childhood. She holds exams accountable for this. I've been sitting semi-serious exams for the past eight years - I think they may have only just ended. And if she's right, which, she usually is, we're throwing away our futures due to something in our pasts. If I were apply that to my personal life, I'd be a very lonely woman.

I truly believe that each day you learn something new but sometimes I have to remind myself that each person can also teach you something new. I've met some people in the industry who are so different to me in every possible way but even they've had things to teach me. One of my most note-worthy lessons was the office politics that came from such personalities, but even something as trivial as that was something new to learn, hold on to for the future and has made me a better professional.

As Winston Churchill once said, 'Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.'

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Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all

You may recognise the above quote from Helen Keller, American author and political figure. Quite simply it seemed rather fitting for my latest charity mission.

My housemate, Amanda Cordrey is 100% amazing at volunteering, charity work and anything and everything she can do for it in her spare time, whilst you'd find me knee-deep in industry news, you'll find her at a local fundraising event. She's writing her dissertation this year on a local charity, KiteRight; they use Kite-Sports to 'empower, support, change, educate and employ people with physical, mental or learning challenges.' In the few months they've been set up, they've achieved an awful lot. 

That is why I have decided to fall to my death for them... Well, hopefully not, but I will be completing a sky-dive for them in May this year. I've chosen to do this for so many reasons but mainly I truly believe in what they're doing, sport can help people in so many ways. 

Last year, I suffered from 'Complex Concussion', and for a long period, I was instructed not to work, drive, watch TV, be on the computer or even read, basically anything other than laying down flat on a bed. Obviously, that includes any kind of sport, gym, running or even walking without supervision in case of dizziness and fainting. It was not fun. I am not somebody who likes to sit and do nothing, even for a minute. I'm a fidget and I get bored of 'nothing' very quickly. After just an hour of literally doing just that, I was going out of my mind. For those who know me well, you'll know exercise is a huge part of my life, especially with Trampolining. When I returned to work and started watching a little TV and using my laptop, I still wasn't allowed back to exercise. This went on for a few months and each day dragged more than the last. Now, this may have bored me half to death and I don't wish it on anyone but the simple matter is, sometimes this is everyday life for people. They don't feel they can participate in sports for one reason or another and miss out on the incredible joy, relaxation and anger therapy (maybe that's just PRs?!) it can bring to your life, not to mention the people you meet and the healthier lifestyle. KiteRight provides an outlet and an opportunity for these people, and in doing so, specialises in a sport that I've never even tried, but I do fully intend to!

So, for all you lovely people who want to support this cause, or in my brother's case simply watch his sister scream a lot, you can visit the fundraising page: 

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JessicaNorth

I thank you in advance and, my brother kindly sent me this to prepare myself for the skydive - what a gent! 

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