Job candidates realize that a great cover letter and resume aren't always enough to land a coveted gig. Indeed, job-seekers often need more to stand out from the competition.
"Unfortunately, what many aren't realizing is that the catch is making sure you do that in a professional, respectful way," said Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer for CareerBuilder.
In a new CareerBuilder survey, hiring managers gave these examples of unusual tactics job-seekers used to stand out:
_ Came dressed in a Halloween costume during a late October interview.
_ Bought a first-class upgrade to sit next to the hiring manager on a transatlantic flight
_ Had his wife make homemade lavender soap bars for the hiring manager as a thank you for the interview.
_ Sent a pair of embroidered socks to HR with a note saying he would knock the company's socks off if hired.
_ Showed up in his camp counselor attire with some children from the camp he worked at to show his leadership capabilities.
_ Sent a shoe with a flower in it, plus a note saying: "Trying to get my foot in the door."
_ Arrived to the interview in a white limousine, an hour early, dressed in a three-piece suit. (The open position was middle-wage and had a casual dress code.)
_ Kissed the hiring manager.
_ Wore a tie that had the name of the company on it.
_ Mailed the hiring manager an envelope with cash inside.
