5 Unusual Tactics That Actually Got People Interviews

In a competitive job market, sometimes traditional applications just don’t cut it. If you’re wondering how to get a job interview in 2025, think outside the box. These five creative ways to get interviews have helped real candidates stand out in their job application and land meetings where others didn’t. We surveyed recent success stories—from tech to marketing to business roles—to bring you actionable tactics you can try this week.

1. Hunt for “I’m Hiring” Posts on LinkedIn

Instead of scrolling generic job boards, search LinkedIn posts for hiring announcements. 25-year-old Natasha Badger did exactly that: she filtered for posts containing “I’m hiring” plus her target job titles and saw results. This approach bypassed “ghost” listings and put her in front of real hiring managers. In a video she shared, Badger explains how she limited the search to the past week to find fresh openings, then reached out personally.

By targeting managers’ posts, you skip the automated filters and the sea of applicants. Hiring leaders are more likely to notice a candidate who shows genuine interest by referencing their own announcement. To try this tactic yourself:

• Search strategically. In LinkedIn’s search bar, enter keywords like “I’m hiring [your role] [location]” and filter to recent Posts.

• Add role-specific keywords. Include the exact job title or skills (e.g. “marketing manager”, “data analyst”) to narrow results.

• Reach out with context. When someone posts an opening, reply or message them referencing their post and highlighting one way you fit the role. Personalize it to show you’ve done your homework.

This unusual job search strategy can break through the noise. By speaking directly to people who are actively recruiting, you demonstrate initiative and skip the standard pile of resumes. As one career coach pointed out, this is an example of creating a “conversation that matters” with a decision-maker—and it can fast-track you to a first-round interview.

2. Send a Themed Delivery (Donuts with Resume)

Imagine a recruiter opening a box of fresh pastries and finding your resume inside. That’s exactly what marketing job-seeker Lukas Yla did. He dressed as a delivery courier and hand-delivered free donuts (and his resume) to 10 top ad agencies and 30 tech companies in San Francisco. The result? He got his foot in the door for face-to-face chats. By wowing people with a tasty treat, Yla created instant goodwill and a memorable connection.

This kind of bold stunt works because it taps into curiosity and shows confidence. A box of donuts is fun and practical — recruiters get a snack, and you get noticed. Of course, you must keep it professional and on-brand. Use this tactic only if it suits your industry (creative fields love it) and the company culture. To pull off a successful “gift delivery” tactic:

• Be relevant. Choose a gift or theme that fits the company. For a tech job, maybe deliver coffee, a tech gadget, or branded swag; for marketing, donuts or cupcakes can play up creativity.

• Include a note. Attach a short, branded cover letter or QR code to your website. Keep the message concise: introduce yourself, mention why you admire the company, and say you’d love to chat.

• Stay respectful. Don’t just drop by unannounced at corporate HQ. Instead, arrange a short visit (e.g. announce “special delivery”) or leave it with reception. Research company policy to avoid appearing intrusive.

Remember, a stunt like this is risky, but if done right it dramatically differentiates you. As Adweek reported, Yla’s free-donut tactic was a “not-so-weird trick” that earned him high-level attention. A well-planned gimmick can turn a cold resume drop into a warm personal meeting.

3. Pull an Extreme Stunt (Skydiving for Attention)

Sometimes extraordinary measures capture extraordinary opportunities. Creative director Chris Serrano took this to the skies. After a layoff, he posted a video of himself skydiving with an “Open4Work” sign, showcasing his bold personality. His stunt caught the eye of LinkUp CEO Jack Peagam, who replied with his own skydiving offer of “We’ve got work 4 U!”. The two ended up signing an employment contract while free-falling together!

Why it worked: the skydiving video highlighted Serrano’s creativity and courage in a memorable way. It demonstrated authenticity (he really did his own stunts) and aligned with the culture of an app focused on adventurous networking. In his words, “taking a leap of faith from a plane is sometimes all you can do,” and it paid off.

Most of us won’t skydive to land a job, but the lesson is to leverage your unique flair. Whatever your skill set, find an eye-catching way to showcase it. For example:

• Use themed visuals. Create a short fun video, animation or infographic that relates to the job. (One creative applicant once made a video rapping about a product, and landed the role.)

• Tie into your story. If you have an unusual passion (like Serrano’s love of stunts), figure out how it can highlight a job-worthy trait (risk-taking, confidence, out-of-the-box thinking).

• Share widely. Post your stunt on LinkedIn, Twitter or industry forums. Tag the company or hiring managers politely. Viral visibility can compel recruiters to notice you.

The key is authenticity and relevance. A daring approach risks coming off as gimmicky, but it also signals confidence and creativity. As Serrano’s skydiving example shows, a well-crafted stunt can get recruiters talking – and interviewing – when regular emails would be ignored.

4. Message the Decision-Maker Directly

Instead of waiting for HR to notice you, sometimes you have to start the conversation yourself. That’s what Osmary Torres did by sending one LinkedIn message to a company owner. After finding a perfect role, she researched the CEO, noted their values, and wrote a short, tailored message explaining why she was excited about the position. A week later, the CEO messaged back and scheduled a call. Osmary later reported that she skipped a 500+ applicant queue and went straight to round-two interviews.

Her approach was simple but powerful: show genuine passion and value. The CEO told her he could “clearly see your passion” and that her LinkedIn profile “speaks for itself,” so he didn’t even need her resume. In effect, Osmary bypassed the bot and got a real person to vouch for her.

You can try this “cold” outreach too:

• Identify the right contact. Look up the hiring manager or company leader on LinkedIn. Often it’s the person who posted the job, or a relevant department head. Even a second-degree connection can work.

• Personalize your note. In a concise message, reference something specific (their company mission, a recent project, or a mutual connection). Then briefly say why you’re passionate and how you’d help. End with a clear call-to-action (“Would you be open to a brief call to discuss?”).

• Be professional, not presumptuous. Keep it courteous and friendly. Follow up politely if needed, but don’t pester. A direct message is bold, but it shows initiative if done thoughtfully.

This tactic may feel bold, but hiring managers appreciate honesty and clarity. As one blog notes, “Passion, alignment and authentic conversation can open any door”. If your message is well-crafted, you could be the candidate who others forget about because you spoke directly to the decision-maker.

5. Craft a Custom Portfolio or Resume

Finally, leverage your skills by giving recruiters a sample of your work. This means going beyond a text resume: build something they can click through or watch. In a survey of creative hirings, employers praised applicants who made custom webpages, video resumes or interactive presentations on the spot. For example, one candidate landed an interview by designing a custom website and a video demo for the company.

Other job seekers have taken this further. One designer styled his resume as a GQ magazine issue to impress a fashion publisher – and got an immediate job offer. An ad hopeful made a rapping cover-letter video about Sprite and won a position at Wieden+Kennedy. These extreme examples paid off because they were highly targeted and showcased relevant skills (branding, creativity, storytelling).

To apply this strategy:

• Build a live project. If you’re a developer, create a mini-app or website for a product idea. If you’re a marketer, mock up an ad campaign. Host it online and send the link with your application.

• Make an infographic or video CV. Summarize your achievements in a visually engaging way or record a 2-minute intro video. Keep it professional but let your personality shine.

• Tailor it. Align your design and content with the company’s style and needs. As one expert said, a strong case should be relevant to what the company truly needs. Show that you’ve researched them and that your creative work solves a problem they care about.

When done well, a unique portfolio speaks louder than words. It proves you’re capable and enthusiastic, not just talk. (Just remember to keep it polished – don’t sacrifice clarity for quirkiness.) Whether it’s an interactive CV, a slide deck, or a thoughtful case study, a bit of extra effort can make employers sit up and take notice. As career pros note, these unconventional resumes can put you “ahead in the line, even of 500+ people”.

Ready to stand out? Choose one of these tactics and experiment this week. You don’t have to jump out of a plane or bake donuts – even small steps like a personalized LinkedIn message or a quick custom portfolio piece can open doors. The key is to be genuine, relevant, and creative in your approach. In today’s job hunt, the most memorable applications often win the interviews. Good luck – and get creative!