Most clever stunt you've pulled to get a job/experience

Hi all,

I was discussing all the war stories on finding a job with my co-workers and figured it was an interesting
thing to post here.

What is the most devious, creative, or cunning stunt you've pulled trying to find a job? have you paid a stranger to provide you with a reference, worked for free at a business to gain experience, "adjusted" your resume to include more skill, e.t.c

I suppose even recruiters and managers sometimes encourage people to do some of these things and not everything
during jobsearch is black and white. Feel free to talk it up.

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Comments

fullcrowmoon

It was in 2000 and I was applying for a UNIX SysAdmin job at a start-up ISP in Colorado. I interviewed with the CIO, and he asked all the expected technical and can-you-play-nicely-with-others questions, and then he stopped, looked really serious, and said "You have one more thing to do before I can give you this job." And I'm all like "Uhhh, what?"

Then he demanded that I prove I was a Monty Python fan. I sang the Song of Sir Robin to him, and he gave me the job.

Not really a stunt because it wasn't my idea, but it certainly was one of the more original interviews I've had in my life.

jamthat

fullcrowmoon wrote: »

It was in 2000 and I was applying for a UNIX SysAdmin job at a start-up ISP in Colorado. I interviewed with the CIO, and he asked all the expected technical and can-you-play-nicely-with-others questions, and then he stopped, looked really serious, and said "You have one more thing to do before I can give you this job." And I'm all like "Uhhh, what?"

Then he demanded that I prove I was a Monty Python fan. I sang the Song of Sir Robin to him, and he gave me the job.

Not really a stunt because it wasn't my idea, but it certainly was one of the more original interviews I've had in my life.

LOL..that's awesome

bugzy3188

In an effort to thwart the automated filters I have put tiny white text on the outside margins of my resume including the keywords that they might be looking for but i might not have experience in. I also add key words such as bachelors, degree, awards, etc. I certainly wouldn't directly lie if asked, just "circumvent"

Not sure how effective this is but I am in a job that is teaching me a ton and one that I really enjoy!

volfkhat

bugzy3188 wrote: »

in an effort to thwart the automated filters i have put tiny white text on the outside margins of my resume including the keywords that they might be looking for but i might not have experience in. I also add key words such as bachelors, degree, awards, etc. I certainly wouldn't directly lie if asked, just "circumvent" Not sure how effective this is but i am in a job that is teaching me a ton and one that i really enjoy!

brillant!!!

egrizzly

hmm, I was interviewed by Microsoft for a position. The guy did something similar. He asked me to read his mind in 10 questions or less and tell him what he was thinking about. I did it in 7 questions and got the job.

fullcrowmoon wrote: »

It was in 2000 and I was applying for a UNIX SysAdmin job at a start-up ISP in Colorado. I interviewed with the CIO, and he asked all the expected technical and can-you-play-nicely-with-others questions, and then he stopped, looked really serious, and said "You have one more thing to do before I can give you this job." And I'm all like "Uhhh, what?"

Then he demanded that I prove I was a Monty Python fan. I sang the Song of Sir Robin to him, and he gave me the job.

Not really a stunt because it wasn't my idea, but it certainly was one of the more original interviews I've had in my life.

aschenbecher

Iristheangel wrote: »

Hmmm... My first couple of jobs come to mind:

1) Got my first IT job and wanted to get certed up so I worked a second full-time graveyard job as a security guard just to pay for certifications and training materials.
2) On my second job, I didn't feel like I was getting a variety of experience so I signed up for Onforce, Workmarket, etc and was working in so many crazy places and so many hours that I'd get out of my day job to sometimes drive 1-4 hours just to do a different IT gig
3) Took an internship at an MSP and didn't want to get rid of my current IT job but needed experience. I got a special exception from management to change my hours to graveyard at the normal job and would leave there at 6AM to start at the MSP at 8AM-5PM
4) On my start in networking, I left a comfortable FTE role with good benefits to become a contractor at a large enterprise for a 6 month gig. There was no talk or promise of it turning into an FTE role since it was only supposed to be during the course of the project but it ended up working out and I became an FTE 8 months later.

I guess it's not so much "clever" in my case as it is working my butt off and taking risks.

You're soo awesome. I admire you , i want to be where you're at professionally. I have been considering WGU. would you recommend it ?

Deathmage

I told the IT director he was a moron and it turns out he was....he then reported to me or better yet looked towards me for advise.

techfiend

That's a direct approach. Not much worse than working for an untechnical director that makes technical decisions without seeking technical advice first.

Deathmage

techfiend wrote: »

That's a direct approach. Not much worse than working for an untechnical director that makes technical decisions without seeking technical advice first.

I'm way too confident in myself and if i see something that looks awkward I speak my mind....probably why some companies pass me up, but better off. If people can't handle me, then I have no place being there. Not my problem.

E Double U

gespenstern wrote: »

You definitely left no stone unturned there. Having been rejected twice and still managed to insist and land a job in the end, that's some dedication there, man.

Everything worked out. This is my 1st week working in Amsterdam.