Some research ahead of next week's CV clinic live Q&A, unearthed some interesting approaches to the problem of keeping a CV out of the bin and top of a recruiter's pile.
Wearing a t-shirt printed with your work history to a careers fair might work, but sending a live locust (this will get you reported to the RSPCA, not invited for interview) unsurprisingly, won't.
Neither will sending a fake bomb (yes, that actually happened and they called the bomb squad, not the candidate) and it seems the term 'too much information' can go beyond breaking the two-page CV rule; even if you're a banker an employer really doesn't need your account details.
However, the one, and quite possibly only, place CV stunts are accepted and seem to work is in the creative and graphic design industries.
One designer stood out among 900 by sending an interactive 'play me' audio pitch teamed with a CV contained in a 'smash me' glass case and another won impressive amounts of freelance contracts and publicity by printing his career background on recycled P45 forms.
And, further confirming the fact you can win any office popularity contest with baked goods, cupcakes iced with contact details have helped a job hunter catch the attention of a very busy creative director.
Of course, having strong information to include on your CV has far more potential than tinted paper, a wacky font or sending insects through the post.
It couldn't possibly get any more impressive than winning a gold medal for work in your sector or trade.
Earlier this week in Calgary, hundreds of young professionals from trade, service and technical sectors, including transport and logistics, information and communication technology and social and personal services, took part in WorldSkills, a competition where participants compete for medals representing their talent, ingenuity and ability.
During the four-day event, which can quite fairly be nicknamed the Careers Olympics, welders, web designers, joiners, florists, fashion technology designers, carers, mechanical engineers and more complete practical industry-specific challenges to prove the quality of their skills.
The UK bagged a gold in electrical installations painting and decorating and cooking and bronzes in beauty therapy, aircraft maintenance and restaurant service.
Would you make the podium? And which skill would win you a medal?
There's still two years to go until the next competition, to be hosted by London; our CV Q&A could be a good place to start the training.
