Fastest Way to Find a Job - Tip 25 Offbeat Ways

Offbeat Ways (Sandwich Boards, Dating Services, Your Child’s Ball Games, and other Desperate Job Search Measures )

If you’ve been out of work for a long time, you’re ready to try anything to find a job. Some of today’s suggestions are a little tongue-in-cheek, but some of them could be crazy enough to actually work for the aggressive job seeker…and I thought you might enjoy them.

Sandwich board

If you’re standing on the side of the road with a big sandwich board announcing to the world that you need a job, you would count as desperate—but maybe not crazy. I’ve seen job seekers get featured on the news by trying something like that, especially in big metro areas. If you were a business owner, wouldn’t you at least take a second look at someone who obviously wanted to work so badly?

And actually, in some instances this method could work in your favor. If you’re a graphic designer, someone in marketing or advertising, or some kind of artist, you could do some kind of attention-getting, attractive graphic on your sandwich board and get some attention that way.

That kind of in-your-face advertising works. I know you’ve seen cars rolling around town with big whole-car wraps that advertise some business or other…same principle. It brings in customers for those businesses. Maybe you should put a sandwich board on your car…

Dating service

I know someone who married through a dating service and has been happily married for 10 years, but I don’t know anyone who ever got a job that way. But doesn’t it make you smile to think about meeting someone for a “first date” and instead picking their brain to see if they’re a good networking contact?

Your child’s ballgames

I know one guy who sells insurance and wears t-shirts that advertise his company to his child’s ballgames and he swears by that. He says that people end up calling him and giving him business.

Are you the kind of person who chats with other parents during your kid’s games? Then you’re a networker. Not that I think you should spend all your time talking about your job search at social functions…I don’t. But neither do I think you should be shy about saying when it’s appropriate, “I’m looking for an opportunity in X. If you happen to think of anyone I should call, let me know.”

Sometimes those social connections can be more valuable than business ones. The wider variety of connections through a less-homogenous social group means a wider variety of people they know. And your social connections know you better and are often more interested in helping you out as a friend.

You might be tempted to try some desperate measures in your job search. A few might pay off. But the real key, in any job search, is to focus on the things that reward you the most. Work smart. Use the 80/20 Rule. Know what actions will bring you the greatest chance of reward. Always, always, what will reward you the most is direct contact with hiring managers. They are the ones with a problem to be solved, a job to be filled, and the authority to say “Yes, you’re hired.” Use every bit of aggressiveness, creativity and enthusiasm you have and channel it toward finding and contacting as many as you can and find your new job.