In today’s competitive job market, some applicants are going to extreme lengths to win the attention of potential employers — sometimes to a fault.

A job search once involved submitting a résumé and following up on an interview with a thank-you note, but many jobless people are following a new trend: extreme job hunting. With the average length of unemployment reaching all-time record highs, would-be employees face severe competition for open positions. To add to the challenge, research shows that the longer an individual stays jobless, the less employable he or she is.

Job candidates must stand out without losing sight of their professionalism. While applicants can learn from the most innovative job searchers, they may also benefit from a couple reminders on how to avoid getting on a potential employer’s blacklist.

Some job hunters take their applications to the next level by creating video résumés to better demonstrate their personality, while others take bizarre approaches.

One man in the United Kingdom scored more than 80 interviews with companies such as Google by sending videos of himself doing eccentric things, like doing push-ups in a suit. The man, who eventually found employment with an investment company, recommends his unusual application process to those in search of work. Other extreme job hunting examples include a woman who sent an application with a mug and a note asking employers to meet her for coffee, and a man who wore a sandwich board advertising himself as a prospective candidate.

While creative, many outrageous tactics that make the headlines likely won’t work. In fact, before candidates attempt an unorthodox strategy, they should consider that such an approach probably isn’t universally accepted.

Experts say that showing enthusiasm for a job helps. However, when seeking a position with a more formal hiring process, “it may be best to avoid any creative job applications,” CareerBuilder.com advises. “Especially if you’re applying to work in a large firm, any bold moves may be frowned upon.” Candidates might benefit from researching the company they are applying to, or using alternate methods like LinkedIn forums, to get a better idea of the company’s culture.

MainStreet.com cites candidates who waited in an office building to talk to all the employees in an attempt to get hired, or one man who delivered McDonald’s Happy Meals to get an interview. These reflect unsuccessful and unprofessional tactics, and while the underlying principle of persistence may have been correct, the applicants’ execution was not. While persistence can go a long way in a job search, it’s essential not to cross the line with actions that are deemed offensive or annoying.

There are creative ways to win attention while maintaining professionalism. Consider bypassing the formality of HR to expand your exposure. To get ideas, “go hear a manager speak, exchange cards and follow up with a comment on the topic,” the Chicago Tribune recommends. It also helps to spend time in places managers might frequent. However, don’t force anyone to interact, as doing so can taint an employer’s view of you, CareerBuilder warns.

Other creative ways to build exposure include a man who created his own press release declaring how he could fix an IT department, and a woman who created her own website targeting the company she wanted to work for, according to CNN. Another applicant took out a Facebook ad to advertise to publishing professionals. While various experts encourage using social media platforms to get attention or follow company news, they also advise against being intrusive.

Keep in mind that while innovative thinking may improve your appeal to potential employers, ultimately you want to stand out to hiring managers for the right reasons.

Resources

Will Today’s Unemployed Become Tomorrow’s Unemployable?
by Catherine Rampell
The New York Times, Dec. 2, 2010

Extreme Job-Hunting Tactics: What You Need to Know
by Eliza Ridgeway
CNN, Nov. 12, 2010

Looking for a Job? Go Get Some Coffee or Hit the Gym
by Gail MarksJarvis
The Chicago Tribune, Jan. 23, 2011

14 Extreme Job Hunting Stories
by Seth Fiegerman
MainStreet.com, March 22, 2010

7 Highly Unusual Ways to Try to Find a Job
by Brad Tuttle
Moneyland (TIME.com), Jan. 26, 2011

Should Outrageous Job-Hunting Strategies be Part of Your Search Arsenal?
by Alina Dizik
CareerBuilder.com, June 28, 2011

Desperately Seeking a Job, with Cookies if Necessary
by Eve Tahmincioglu
MSNBC, Aug. 22, 2011

Extreme Job Hunting
by Tom Musbach
Monster.com