Eight Gutsy Ways to Grab a Job

In a tight economy with record-high unemployment, landing that juicy job means you'll be competing with lots of other people. So a little out-of-the-box thinking – in addition to career education -- can go a long way toward differentiating yourself from other candidates. Here are some unconventional tactics for setting yourself apart from a crowded field, based on reports of actual success stories gleaned from other blogs, websites and news feeds.

If you try one of these techniques, let us know what happened. But note: Results are the full responsibility of the initiator!

1. Auction yourself on eBay. A 55-year-old man in Britain, unemployed for six months, did it and accepted a job with the winning bidder.

2. Create a video resume and put it on YouTube. People in the performing arts have been doing this for years. Current technology now allows anyone to make a creative, informative video describing their skills in a way that also conveys their personality.

3. Conduct a "virtual lemonade stand". On a hot day, a Los Angeles woman handed out bottled water along with her resume in front of her apartment building and now works for the local school district.

4. Wear a sign with your contact information – sandwich-board style – and stand at a busy intersection near the business(es) of your choice. One New York man did this in Manhattan and got a job with an investment firm.

5. Offer a reward to anyone who finds you employment. One man got a job this way and sent the lucky job hunter on a Cancun vacation.

6. Buy a billboard and share your job search message with the masses.

7. Do volunteer work. You'll be doing something worthwhile, gaining experience to put on your resume, and networking with others who may be aware of jobs where they work.

8. Arrange an "informational interview" with an industry professional in your chosen field. Besides getting tons of useful advice, you may even get hired by the interviewee! Be sure to ask for names and numbers of other professionals in the industry, too.