The art of bagging a job
Comments Off Enterprising graduate Alex Kearns is proof that jobseekers need to think outside the box if they are to secure employment in today’s tough market.
The 23-year-old, who graduated with a French and Italian degree from Swansea University, won an hour’s slot on the fourth plinth in sculptor Antony Gormley’s One & Other Project in Trafalgar Square.
After applying unsuccessfully for scores of jobs, Alex used the opportunity to attract the attention of would-be employers by unfurling his CV on a 10ft long banner.
For good measure he added a placard which read: ‘Save a graduate. Give me a job.’
And it worked. Soon after his appearance in July he was contacted by a manager at the International Business Development Group.
After a telephone interview, he was invited to an assessment day with 16 other hopefuls and was one of three offered a job.
And it worked. Soon after his appearance in July he was contacted by a manager at the International Business Development Group.
After a telephone interview, he was invited to an assessment day with 16 other hopefuls and was one of three offered a job.
He has now begun working as a sales executive at their London offices, selling consultancy services to companies in the UK and abroad.
His stunt also brought offers of an interview with another company and work experience in an advertising firm.
His stunt also brought offers of an interview with another company and work experience in an advertising firm.
Mr Kearns, who lives with his parents in Kingston-upon-Thames, South-West London, said: ‘I saw it as a golden opportunity to sell myself.
‘I had applied for hundreds of jobs but nobody was giving me a chance. And it worked, my new boss said he was impressed that I had some get-up-and-go.
‘I had applied for hundreds of jobs but nobody was giving me a chance. And it worked, my new boss said he was impressed that I had some get-up-and-go.
‘I know I’m really lucky. Lots of young people who are just out of university are totally stuck, there just aren’t any jobs out there.
Under-25s have been hit hardest by the employment slump.
Nearly 200,000 of the 573,000 people made jobless last year were aged 18 to 24 and an additional 300,000 graduates and 400,000 school-leavers join the jobs market this year.
Under-25s have been hit hardest by the employment slump.
Nearly 200,000 of the 573,000 people made jobless last year were aged 18 to 24 and an additional 300,000 graduates and 400,000 school-leavers join the jobs market this year.
