Think Outside the Box: Unconventional Ways to Land Your Dream Job

If you are a jobseeker, there are good chances that the following activities might be your new daily routine: searching for job openings, sending out resumes, attending rounds of tests and interviews, and visiting one job fair to another. While these means of reaching out to your future employers will eventually get you a job, have you ever thought, that there are some unusual (and even unique) ways that will bring you to your dream job?

With the advances of technology, the way people conduct hiring process has changed dramatically in the recent few years. Internet has made it easier for talents to access the latest job updates at their fingertips. However, the principle and process of job hunting hasn’t changed through time. The traditional formula is to search for job vacancies, apply for them, get interviewed, and if you meet the requirements, you will eventually secure the job.

In today’s highly competitive job market, talents are required to harness their creativity in a bid to stand out from the crowd. Even for the most optimistic individuals, days, weeks, and even months of job hunting to no avail can seem as an intimidating experience. Therefore, from time to time, all you need to do is open your mind and think outside the box.

Rather than letting yourself feeling frustrated and discouraged toward a failure, it is time for you to plan a better job hunting strategy. If you want to land the job of your dreams, here are a few unconventional ideas for you:

1. Advertise yourself

Job hunting is just another term to ‘selling your skills and experiences’ to potential employers. Owing to which, advertising yourself in mass media is a great way to let potential employers know about your existence. You can print out your name, skills, and contact in public ad spaces such as local newspaper, billboard, poster, or online portals.

2. Don’t trust your resume

You might possess 8 or even 9 out of 10 competencies required for your dream job. The problem is, dozens of other applicants offer the same thing too. It is true that a resume will be your first weapon to set out on the company’s door. However, relying on your resume in itself is not enough to convince them your qualities.

What should you do, then? Creating a portfolio will be helpful to showcase your capabilities as well as describe what you have achieved in the past. If you plan to work on creative industries such as arts and designs, having portfolio is a must.

3. Apply for unlisted jobs

Have you ever found ‘candy taster job’ advertisement? While everyone will fancy the idea of getting paid for tasting delicious candies every day, chances are, such job ads can be hardly found. If you want to land on cool and extra-ordinary job like this, you should start applying for unlisted jobs. Remember, not all type of jobs are publicly advertised. Hence, it is time to be proactive.

4. Go blogging

If you think that writing a blog is a great way to pass time, then perhaps you should re-think the idea. Going blogging is not only a great way to invest your spare time, but also can help you connect with your future employer.

To keep engaged with the blog, you should write on something that you like. When you have set up a blog, avoid radio silent and keep it updated. You might never know who will show up with a prospective job offer.

5. Make a video resume

Amidst the competition for job, a written resume is no longer enough. To get noticed by top organisations, you need to get creative. Creating a personalised video resume can help you realise this goal. You don’t have to make it complicated. Instead, you can create a brief but attractive video resume that enlists your key strengths and previous experiences.

6. Volunteer yourself

Volunteering yourself to work for free on projects could be an unconventional approach that will help you to eventually land the job of your dreams. To prove yourself to potential employers, you can participate actively in voluntary or freelance project that is related to your field of expertise. Don’t focus primarily on how to make money out of the job. Rather, you should focus on how the experience will enrich your soul. Not to mention, volunteering is an effective way to build networking.

In the end, a dash of creativity is the key to grab employer’s attention. Let your creativity shine and soon you will fetch a dream offer your way, by treading the unconventional route to success. Sometimes looking beyond is the key to tap into bright future prospects. Are you ready?