5 real life job applications that rewrote the rules

Brought to you by CarTrawler.

What would you do to get your dream job?

We all remember what we wanted to be as kids. Maybe it was a footballer or a fireman or even a farmer - you never thought about the potential obstacles when you were that age. It's easy to lose that attitude over the years. The following viral applications are brilliant examples of what can happen when you believe in yourself or back your talents with a bit of imagination.

Go big or go home

Credit: Jobless Paddy Galway man Feilim Mac an Iomaire found a novel way to put himself in the shop window for jobs. He spent the last of his savings to promote himself with a billboard and social media campaign. That’s one way to get noticed! His “Jobless Paddy” billboard showed him at a seashore, looking across the water at landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Sydney Opera House. The job offers poured in and Feilim was snapped up by Paddy Power, proving that talent will always shine through if you channel it in the right way.

An interactive resume

It can be hard to make your CV stand out from the competition but designer Robby Leonardi found an innovative way to do just that. His interactive resume looks like an old school video game and it’s pretty damn impressive! Robbie’s resume instantly grabs you by the ears and gets your attention. It’s a brilliant throwback to 16-bit platform classics like Super Mario and a super way to make an impact.

A practical test with a difference

Credit: Büro İstanbul Sometimes it’s employers who come up with a novel approach to the application process. QR codes may be much-maligned but someone finally found a good use for one. A Turkish tattoo studio asked tattoo artists to apply for a job by inking in the QR code on a magazine ad. If they inked it in perfectly, it allowed them to scan the code and an application form was dispatched to them by email. That’s one way to check if candidates have a steady hand and good attention to detail!

Find your target market

When Alec Brownstein set out to get the attention of the directors at top ad agencies, he found a unique way to do it. He bought Google ads against the names of directors at the biggest agencies, assuming that they'd Google their own name at some stage. https://youtu.be/7FRwCs99DWg Once they did, they were targeted with an ad featuring a link to Brownstein’s website and a “Come get me” invitation. “Googling yourself is a lot of fun,” the ad said. “Hiring me is fun too.” He was contacted by a number of directors and he accepted one of the resulting job offers. Clever. Very clever.

Rise above the noise

The challenge facing any applicant or candidate is to separate themselves from the crowd. This should always be your aim, whether you're applying to work for someone else or trying to attract work for yourself. Copywriter Jon Ryder of Fullstopnewparagraph found a clever way to demonstrate his ability with his interactive website design, which went viral after just one day. It was a brilliant way to grab the attention of prospective employers. It also demonstrated his ability to condense sentences and create an impact with the shortest possible statement. What more could you want from a copywriter? If you’re feeling inspired by these inventive examples, the CarTrawler Graduate Programme could be for you. CarTrawler is a leading online travel technology company that is holding a Graduate Open Day on Wednesday, 8 March. Interested students will receive a tour of CarTrawler’s modern offices in Dundrum, get to meet CarTrawler employees, attend interview workshops and find out more about the Graduate Programme. There'll also be free pizza! CarTrawler’s two year Graduate Programme offers bright and enthusiastic graduates a unique opportunity to get their first step on the career ladder with a company who is going from strength to strength. For more information or to register for their upcoming open day, visit their site. Brought to you by CarTrawler.