Desperate times lead job hunters to bold tactics in an attempt to land a position

Job seekers are turning to unconventional social media tactics to stand out in a competitive labor market, ranging from cash rewards to "desperate" profile banners. Despite low overall unemployment, some industries are experiencing churn as they reconfigure workforces, leading to longer job searches for some candidates. This has prompted job seekers to get creative on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok in attempts to catch employers' attention.

Nadeera Waduwara Kankanamalage, 32, of Austin, Texas, recently offered a $3,000 reward on LinkedIn to anyone who connects him with his next tech job. After two frustrating years of searching, Kankanamalage said that the market is “brutal” and the number of rejections are “a gut punch.” “It’s a whatever-it-takes mentality,” he said

Other job seekers are tagging potential employers in posts, creating video resumes, and using profile picture frames declaring themselves "desperate" for work. 

Laura Martyna, 43, a recruiting and human resources professional in Concord, North Carolina, created a mini marketing campaign on LinkedIn after being laid off in September. When a dream job opened at Eli Lilly, she listed reasons the company should hire her and tagged former colleagues to comment in support.

"I don't know how else to get flashing lights to get attention," Martyna said. "It's worth a shot. Nothing else is working."

The approach led to a meeting with the hiring manager, though Martyna initially received an automated rejection.

Some job seekers report mixed results from these tactics. Jordan Dye, 27, of Dallas, briefly went viral after adding a "desperate" banner to his LinkedIn profile. While it increased his followers, Dye said he didn't hear from hiring managers. He estimated applying to 4,500 jobs since June 2023.

Recruiters have varying opinions on the effectiveness of creative social media approaches. Mindy Totaro, a senior creative recruiter at staffing agency Aquent, is skeptical about hiring based on entertaining posts. She advises job seekers to focus on building relationships with recruiters and ensuring their resumes match job requirements.

However, Thomas Vick, a technology employment trends expert at Robert Half, believes creative posts can give candidates an edge when done effectively.

"Anything that differentiates you in a positive, productive manner, especially if you can highlight how it can be beneficial to the business ... it certainly can help," Vick said.

LinkedIn reports that users with "Open to Work" profile frames are 40% more likely to receive messages from recruiters. The company advises job seekers to look for verification badges to avoid scams.

As the job search process evolves, some candidates find success through candid appeals. Chuck Williams, 36, of Richland, Washington, made a vulnerable post about potentially losing his house after being laid off. While it hasn't led to a job yet, Williams said the outpouring of support taught him the value of honesty in his search.