Here’s my whole story, Dan:
I have a degree in Broadcasting from the University of Tennessee, but straight out of college, I took a job producing educational videos. It was a great “j-o-b” for four years, but not quite the calling I wanted for my life. Then I took a position as a marketing director with an area nonprofit for about five years, but I always wanted to get into the world of broadcasting
However, I couldn’t quite figure out how to get noticed and differentiate myself from the dozens of resumes these media outlets get on practically a weekly basis.
Then one day after reading 48 DAYS TO THE WORK YOU LOVE I had an idea: I’ll slap my face on the front of a coffee bag, put my resume on the back, and send it out to area media outlets.
Wouldn’t you know it: IT WORKED!
In fact, with a little follow-up, I received over half a dozen interviews because of that coffee bag resume! (One media outlet was so impressed that within a week they interviewed me for three different positions with their company!)
Ultimately, I landed with the number one radio group in the market as they were so impressed with my skills that they CREATED a position for me.
After eighteen months with them, a local television station took notice of me, approached me about a position with them, and after a handful of interviews, they offered me a position.
I’ve been in my current position almost a year, and I feel that your books and strategies inspired me to do things a little differently in my job search.You’re the one who inspired me to find new ways to think outside the box and send in something other than just a plain old resume and cover letter! I wouldn’t be where I am today without you, Dan Miller!
Thank you, Dan!
All the best, Aaron
Way to go Aaron! Dan has a lot of great advice and he gets TREMENDOUS joy from people to take his advice and put it into action! Well done!
Thank you, Andy! I have learned a lot following Dan. I appreciate your kind words!
Your creativity is inspiring, Aaron!
Thank you, Karen! I hope it inspires you through your journey!
Wow! Aaron you are a true rock star! I was always the girl who thought a little differently asking myself questions like, “Why is everyone doing the same thing?”. It is success stories like these that motivate others to try that thing they may have been thinking of doing, but were a little timid to try. Whooo Hooo! Congrats!
Thank you, Julie! It sounds like you and I both are wired a little differently from most. AND THAT’S A GOOD THING! 😀
Thanks for sharing, Dan! If you’ve taught me anything, it’s to think outside the box. I hope my creativity inspires others to differentiate themselves as they move forward in their career journey!
Aaron – this example of thinking outside the box is so inspiring! When people say the “economy is bad” or “no one is hiring” they haven’t been presenting themselves like this.
Here’s hoping they all come up with their own version of a “coffee bag resume”!
Aaron, I absolutely love it! Way to go for thinking outside of the box! What were some of the “initial” reactions from people when they saw your coffee bag? What kind of questions did you get from those employers?
Thank you, @LadyJevonnahEllison:disqus! Everyone who received a coffee bag was blown away. The general sales manager at one of the media outlets I sent this to brought the coffee bag resume to their weekly sales meeting and said, ‘I receive about a hundred resumes each month, and out of the resumes I’ll receive over the next month, this will be the only one I’ll remember… We need to do things like this to get our prospective clients attention.’
Awesome! Thanks for sharing that, Aaron. You are leading a path of hope and inspiration with your creativity and action. Job well done!
Aaron what a creative resume! I LOVE stories like this. Way to be bold to get noticed 🙂
Thank you, Stephanie! I really appreciate it. I’ve learned one thing in sales: You have to get noticed before you get noticed.
What a great idea, Aaron; its proof is in the amazing results!
We have a monthly job network meeting at our church, and I hope you don’t mind if we share your experience as a great example of how to think outside the box to get noticed!
Of course, you still had to nail it during the interviews, so well done. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Doug! Please feel free to share the coffee bag resume. I’m honored to have my story as a part of your monthly job networking meeting. In fact, look me up on Facebook and send me a friend request. I’ll see if I still have a coffee bag resume at home that I can send to you. (Don’t drink it! It’s over three years old! Haha!)
Awesome idea Aaron! What an inspiring story. Dan seems to have that effect on a lot of people! 🙂
Thank you, Clark! Inspiration leads to inspiration. Here’s hoping my idea spurs other ideas in job-seekers out there who take my story, twist it on its ear, and come up with their own way of getting noticed!
Brilliant idea Aaron! Way to stand out! Only the best you can get from the master himself Dan Miller! I’m now thinking of other items I can “slap” my face into just like you did! Congrats!
Noel, the sky is the limit with this coffee bag resume idea. One of the people I sent it to said, “I love this idea, but you may want to try chocolate if you ever do this again. Not everyone likes coffee.”
I said, “I don’t like coffee either…but I like Vienna Coffee!” Side note: Vienna Coffee is locally owned and operated in the city I live in. Their coffee is served in a few high-end places in the area, including the world renowned Blackberry Farm.