NEVER DO THIS IN A JOB INTERVIEW

You're looking for a new job, and you're willing to do almost anything to get the hiring manager's attention. Would you consider buying a first-class ticket just to sit next to him on a transatlantic flight? Someone actually did that. Call such stunts creative. (Or crazy.) In the quest to secure gainful employment, some people have done some pretty bizarre things just to get the hiring manager's attention. And this isn't always a good thing. CareerBuilder.com and Harris Poll surveyed more than 2,000 hiring managers across all industries in companies large and small to find out the most unusual ways job candidates have attempted to stand out from the rest of the pack. Top 10 off-the-wall tactics job seekers used to stand out, but not always for the right reasons:
  1. Candidate had a priest contact the hiring manager and request that the candidate be hired.
  2. Candidate bought a first-class upgrade to sit next to the hiring manager on a transatlantic flight.
  3. During the month of October, candidate came dressed in a costume for Halloween.
  4. Candidate's wife made homemade lavender soap bars for the hiring manager as a thank you for taking the time to interview the candidate.
  5. Candidate asked hiring manager to share an ice cream cone.
  6. Candidate sent a pair of embroidered socks with a note saying he would knock the company's socks off if hired.
  7. Candidate showed up in his camp counselor attire with some of the children from the camp he worked for to show his leadership capabilities.
  8. Candidate sent a shoe with a flower in it as a thank you after the interview. The note said: "Trying to get my foot in the door."
  9. Candidate mailed the hiring manager money in an envelope.
  10. Candidate arrived to the interview in a white limousine an hour early and dressed in a three-piece suit. The open position was middle-wage and had a required dress code of khakis, company button-down and black shoes.

If you want to stand out in a good way, do this:
  • Give concrete examples of how your past experience will benefit this organization.
  • Use social media to your advantage by tweeting, blogging and commenting about things you know builds up your credibility online.
  • Ask good questions. Your questions communicate to the interviewer what is most important to you. They can also position you as a solid candidate for the role and set you apart from the competition.
  • Showcase your numbers. Use as many facts and figures as you can to promote yourself.
  • Send a thank you note. If you feel the interview has gone well and you want to continue pursuing the opportunity, let the interviewer know. Tell him or her you enjoyed the interview. Say you believe you can thrive in the role, and you are interested in exploring the next step.

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