How To Use Guerilla Marketing Tactics to Get a Job by Erin Ponti

We've all been there. Searching through the help wanted ads trying to find a job, sending in your resume, and never being selected for an interview. It's frustrating, especially now when millions of people are out of work and applying for the same jobs you are. You're probably asking yourself "what do I need to do to stand out?" Luckily, there is an answer: guerilla marketing.

What is guerilla marketing ? According to Jay Conrad Levinson, the self-proclaimed "father of guerilla marketing," it is a system of promotions that relies on unexpected and unconventional tactics. So in other words, it's marketing using creativity and imagination to create a memorable buzz in a nontraditional way. So, how can you use this tactic to stand out to employers?

First of all, it's important that your resume sells you as a candidate for the position. Don't just describe what makes you a good employee, give specific details and facts that prove you are a good employee. For example, instead of saying "helped sign new clients" say "signed 20% more clients than any other salesperson in the company and exceeded sales goals by 15%." Providing tangible evidence that proves you are results-oriented will get the employer's attention.

Second, it's important to use technology to your advantage. Create a profile on social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook that showcases your talents and make contacts with people in the industry. Start a blog that chronicles your job-seeking endeavors and lists your professional qualifications and send the link to potential employers. Find the contact information for the head of the department and send them your resume directly. Call their office and speak with them about job prospects. The most important thing to remember is that persistence is key, and employers will remember you over the other thousand candidates when you are calling their office every day.

You could also hit the streets with your resume to hand out to potential employers. It's quirky and different, but it worked for Joshua Pesky. Pesky, an unemployed investment banker, put a sandwich board on over his suit that read "Experienced MIT grad for hire" and handed out his resume on the busy New York City streets. This tactic got him national media exposure and, ultimately, a job. So why did he do it? "I decided I had to do something different," Pesky said. "You have to think outside the box to make others aware of what you need."

Posting a video resume on YouTube or other video sharing sites can help increase your exposure to potential employers and land you an interview. However, you have to be creative with the execution of your video…I recommend creating a song that highlights your talents and singing it on camera. That way, your video is unique and stands out from the rest.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that it is important to brand yourself as someone that your potential employer can't live without. Market your skills by providing examples of your professional successes, and get out there and show the world what you can do.

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