A video application

Pam Green, HR manager, advertising agency Grey Worldwide
During a graduate recruitment programme, for which we trawled through over 600 paper-based applications, we received one application from a young lady who had produced a video of herself dressed as Kylie in the 'Can't get you out of my head' video. She had redone the lyrics, so she was singing 'Can't get Grey out of my head'. We had to interview her.

Why was it so effective?
We like our applications to be personalised for Grey. We want to see that the individual has done their homework. It helps if it's thought provoking, slick and professional, and implies a sense of desire to work for our company.

What would you advise against?
Bombarding people with emails. There's nothing worse than people sending through viral applications in drips, it usually ends up as a jigsaw with pieces missing.

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Cold calling the recruiter at home

Graham Slyper, director of Strettons Chartered Surveyors
I received a telephone call at home one weekend, from a young man seeking a job. He started by mentioning the name of a friend of mine who, he said, had given him my number. I told him to call my office the following Monday. I subsequently found out it had been a bold cold call. My friend John was a friend of the caller's parents, but John had neither provided my home number, nor suggested calling me. The caller, Simon, came over well on the telephone and I arranged an interview.

Why was it so effective?
I decided that Simon's audacious approach could be harnessed to good effect. We were right - nine years later he is a director.

What would you advise against?
Anything that smacks of a casual or unprofessional attitude. At Strettons we look for candidates with potential to improve our business, and who will come across well to customers. We offer training, so direct experience is less important than personality and the ability to think on one's feet.

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Small talk on a train

Judith Massey, director of PR company Citigate Technology
I was travelling to a meeting by train, with a bag with our company name printed on it. I noticed a passenger looking at the bag. Then she asked me: "Do you work for Citigate? It's a company I admire." An hour later we'd done an ad-hoc interview and arranged a formal meeting. Katie is now one of our best consultants.

Why was it so effective?
PR is about thinking on your feet, selling ideas and making things happen. Katie's initiative and enthusiasm on the spot were impressive. She could have asked for a business card and written to us, but she seized the moment.

What would you advise against?
Sending anonymous, speculative letters. Business-to-business and corporate PR is a competitive industry to get into. You need to prove that you have a passion for business, an understanding of what you could bring to the company, and insight into the communication problems faced by organisations. Gimmicks, such as writing your CV as a press announcement, don't work.

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A personalised candidate advertisement

Peter Linas, European development director, Parity IT recruitment agency
I was impressed when one candidate placed an ad in the recruitment advertising section of the relevant press to say who they were and what they did. They were proactively promoting themselves in an unusual manner.

Why was it so effective?
Most employers read the job sections of trade press. This advertisement jumped out at prospective employers who pick up on the candidate and their availability. It's a creative approach that gives the candidate a competitive advantage.

What would you advise against?
Lying on your CV. There's a big difference between elaborating on your skills and lying outright. Smart employers are diligent when it comes to screening candidates. Any falsifications will be discovered.

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Cold calling the recruiter at work

Nigel Hutchinson, recruitment manager at accountants PKF
A lady called me the other day about a job we were advertising. She had done some background research on the firm, found out who dealt with recruitment, and then called me. She introduced herself, told me her background and then asked if she was the sort of person we were looking for. I said yes and she said, "Great, I'll forward my CV to you." I was so impressed by her professionalism, I made a mental note to remember her approach when it came to CV sifting.

Why was it so effective?
People who pick up the phone really make themselves stand out. It shows they are very interested in the position and it helps give their CV a voice. Of course, in the same way, it is very easy to come over badly on the phone. If you sound unprofessional, or if you show that you have not researched the company, I remember your name for different reasons.

What would you advise against?
I am all for emailed CVs but, when they are sent from an email address that begins with something like sexpot@ - and graduates often do this - I am immediately put off. Think about what your email address is saying about you. It makes me wonder how are you going to present yourself to our clients if that is how you present yourself to us. It's just not professional.

Caveat candidate

Before you go rushing off to record your own music video, here are some tips to tailor and temper your approach:

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