Last October, I was confronted with an alarming situation: The economic recession had caught up to my employer, and I was soon to find myself jobless.
I knew there was only one solution: differentiation. I had to show potential employers that even though I am a young, fresh-out-of-school marketeer, I have what it takes to add value to an organization. But how to differentiate myself in a remarkable way?
Having been very much involved with social media and web 2.0 tools, I came across Allen Hartwig’s Brand My BMW concept and totally identified myself with it. A social media experiment where Allen is selling 200 stickers on his shiny BMW 7 series to sponsors looking for a unique advertising experience, all of which thoroughly documented through the Web. The opportunity made so much sense that I had the concept in a few minutes: I Need a Marketing Job!
So instead of e-mailing HR managers with my motivation letters and being another one on the line, I was ready to send out printed motivation letters to Marketing and HR managers alike with a INeedAMarketingJob.com sticker attached to the letter. I had turned the jobless threat into an opportunity to showcase the marketeer I am and aspire to be. I couldn’t wait.
I managed to find an amazing opportunity weeks later and after 3 rounds of interviews I was hired. I was unemployed for only one week.
Finding a job did not reduce the significance of this site for me. I did not need to promote myself anymore, but this site will stand as the first of many efforts I will make in order to be a differentiated professional. Stay tuned for what is yet to come!
UPDATE: Unfortunately the web site of the Brand My BMW concept has been taken down, including my video.
ineedamarketingjob.com 