If you’ve been applying to jobs for awhile, chances are you’ve seen that depressing number by the job post. I’m talking, of course, about the dreaded “applicant number.”

167 applicants for this job.

346 applicants for this job.

705 applicants for this job.

If you have LinkedIn Premium, you can even see the seniority level and education level of your competition.

On average there are about 250 applicants for every job posting. Out of those 250 applications, only 4-6 candidates get called in for an interview. 

I’ve talked about how you can stand out with your resume bullet points before. And, if you haven’t read it yet, I also highly recommend reading my post about the “magic” cover letter template here.

Of course, one of the most common ways to stand out is by getting a referral (keep reading until the end for a video on how to make that happen).

But what if a referral isn’t an option?

The truth is there are still many other creative ways to get an employer's attention. So, today I’m sharing 7 creative job application ideas that have worked for others and are worth trying out (especially if you need a job ASAP).

Let's dive in!

1. Get Personal With a Video Introduction

One of the best ways to make your application more memorable is by creating a video introduction of yourself. Your skills, personality, and interests can come to life in a video much more than they ever could on paper. Plus, hiring managers tend to appreciate the extra effort and creativity.

When I was applying to my dream company in 2016, I kept getting rejected over and over again. That is until I made a short video and instantly landed an interview! 

Before you feel intimidated by the thought of video, know that it doesn’t have to be a big production. There are dozens of video messaging platforms that allow you to record and share personalized videos super easily (I recommend using Loom). 

You can keep the video super simple too. Just introduce yourself, highlight your skills and accomplishments, and show some of your work if relevant.

Just remember, you're trying to break the ice, so keep the tone casual and friendly. Avoid sounding too scripted or rehearsed. The more personal you make this video, the better.

(You can pair this with one of these proven LinkedIn outreach templates.)

Pro Tip: You can double down on this idea by sending another personalized video as a heartfelt "thank you" after your interviews too.

2. Put a Voice to the Name

Have you ever considered using voice messages as part of your networking strategy?

Not many people have, which is why this is one of the most underutilized creative job application ideas on this list (but it can lead to surprisingly high response rates).

One platform that makes this super easy is LinkedIn. With its voice message feature (available on mobile only), you're able to record and send short voice messages (up to 60 seconds) directly to your connections. 

This is a great way to add a human touch to your networking efforts, making it more personal and memorable. This is especially important with the number of generic messages being sent on LinkedIn these days.

Here’s how to use voice messages on LinkedIn:

1. Open the LinkedIn app on your mobile device
2. Navigate to the messages section
3. Click on the "New message" icon (denoted by a pencil and a paper)
4. Search for & select the connection you want to send a message to
5. Click on the microphone icon next to the text input field
6. Record your message (up to 60 seconds) while holding down the microphone icon
7. Release the icon when you're done recording it

It's that easy and so worth it!

Here is a video by Career Coach, AJ Eckstein, that explains how to create a networking strategy around this:

3. Map Out Your Success (30-60-90)

This one is more of a tactic that helps you get an employer’s attention during the interview. I first heard about this from one of the best career coaches on LinkedIn, Adam Broda, and have used it ever since. 

The technique is pretty simple. 

During the initial phone-screen interview, ask the recruiter what some of the main issues the company or team is currently facing. Then, based on their answers, create a 30-60-90 plan outlining your goals and strategies for the role. 

For those who are unfamiliar, a 30-60-90 plan is when you describe what you’d like to accomplish in the first 30 days, first 60 days, and first 90 days after being hired.

A good template for 30-60-90 plan is:

1. First 30 days - Learning the business
2. First 60 days - Meeting the team and gathering inputs
3. First 90 days - Solving one big business problem

Creating a 30-60-90 shows that you're proactively thinking about how you can add value to the company and are willing to put in the effort to do so.

Now, this part is important…

It can be easy to come off as a know-it-all using this approach. So, it’s vital that you approach this with curiosity vs knowledge. 

Instead of presenting this as “the plan,” ask for feedback and create a dialogue around your plan. This demonstrates your willingness to collaborate and adapt, which are highly valued qualities in any workplace.

Pro Tip: Remember that oftentimes the questions you ask during the interview, can be more important than the questions you answer. For some more ideas, I recommend adding these 7 killer questions to ask during your interview to your arsenal.

4. Create a Problem-Solving Presentation

Similar to the 30-60-90 plan, this technique uses the phone-screen interview to create value and show initiative. Here’s how it works:

Like in the example above, you’ll ask the recruiter questions about the company’s challenges during the initial phone-screen interview. Then, based on their answers, you’ll craft an insightful presentation that offers potential solutions to those challenges.

A friend of mine created a presentation for when he was applying to his dream job and it moved him forward in the hiring process faster than anytime prior. When I tried this same technique, it worked like a charm too, so I definitely recommend trying this!

Pro Tip: I don’t recommend creating a presentation based solely on online research. That’s because what a company shares online is hardly ever what the real problems are. Online research can often be misleading or outdated, so it’s better to ask the recruiter instead.

5. Pen Your Way to Success

You've probably heard the term “thought leadership” before. Employers are constantly on the lookout for individuals who can not only excel at their jobs, but also bring new ideas and perspectives to the table.

This creative job application idea takes advantage of that.

One of the best ways to showcase your expertise is through blogging. There are many platforms, such as LinkedIn and Medium, that allow you to share your writing easily without needing to set up an entire blog.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a great writer, just the act of writing alone can be impressive to hiring managers. This technique will also help you when it comes to creative job application idea #7 on this list.

Pro Tip: If you feel like you don't have enough to say, you can always leverage existing content. For instance, you can share research insights on trending topics and add your color commentary, which will still make you stand out from other candidates.

6. Share Your Expertise Regularly

If writing a long-form article doesn’t sound like it’s for you, this creative job application idea may be your solution. The best way to take some baby steps towards writing is by writing a post or commenting on LinkedIn. 

Here is a great video by LinkedIn Coach, Katelyn Richards, that explains how creating content on LinkedIn can lead to job opportunities:

The best part is that you don’t have to spend a whole lot of time doing this. I recommend trying to post at least once a week and spending about 30 minutes engaging with your network by commenting on other people’s posts.

By doing this, you'll not only get noticed by potential employers but also expand your knowledge and learn from others who have more experience.

This is called “micro-networking” and it can be incredibly effective. You can learn more about this networking strategy here.

7. Use Your Featured Section

This last creative job application idea is probably the easiest, yet most overlooked. 

Your LinkedIn Featured section is that short section that’s usually right at the top of your profile. You can use this section in all sorts of ways, but one great way to use this section is by adding articles that you've written or curated from thought leaders in your industry. 

This shows potential employers that you're plugged into the industry and always trying to learn more. It also gives them a glimpse into your thought process and expertise.

You can also use this section to showcase any relevant media, such as presentations, projects, or links to published work. This adds another layer of credibility to your profile and showcases your skills in action. So, don’t forget about your Featured section!

Takeaways & Next Steps

Alright, so those are 7 of the best creative job application ideas that will help you get an employer's attention...but there are many more! 

Now, before you try these, I do recommend getting your resume and cover letter up to the right standards.

You can try all the creative job application ideas, but without an optimized resume and cover letter, all that effort won't matter.

I recommend starting by checking your resume with one of these AI resume builders that can give you feedback on what you may be missing.

After that, I recommend signing up for our FREE resume course that will show you how to optmize your bullet points and improve your writing.

You can sign up by dropping in your email below and I'll send you the course (and a bunch of other helpful tools) straight to your inbox.