- Want to know how to secure your dream job?
- Want to stand out from the crowed and get noticed?
- Tired of applying on-line and not knowing if your application gets seen?
If
you’ve ever been on the hunt for a new role then it’s likely you have answered ‘Yes’
to one or more of the above. In a crowded and competitive market it can be hard
to stand out and grab your perspective employers attention. However, one of our
newest Team Members did just that! Hear how Stuart Christie took control of his
job search and landed a Buying role with our Katies brand!
“When
I first moved to Australia I became aware of SFG through a friend who was temping
on reception; she raved about the offices, the team members and of course the SFG
culture in general. After working in fashion in various capacities in the UK I
had set my sights on re-joining the industry and when the time was right SFG
was my first choice. I did some investigations and set my eyes on the prize,
coming up with a plan of how I would make it happen.
I
had been working in an Australian Government recruitment role trying to place
people with disability into work and we had to employ various innovative
strategies in securing opportunities for the candidates. This got me thinking
about my own job search and I came up with a creative way to put myself in
front of the right people at SFG. I wanted to show that all my previous (and
very varied) work experience, in the fashion
industry, would be right for them and make for a great investment for the
company.
Having
had a great deal of contact with employers and businesses it was clear to me
that many candidates fail at the first hurdle due to their resume so I wanted
to tackle this head on. I set about creating a document that was both visually
different and also included content presented in a fresh and easily digestible
way. I used logos instead of company names and formatted the whole thing to A5;
placing the finished document into a blank cardboard folio style binder.
With
the use of LinkedIn I created a mailing list of all the important people in HR
and Buying across every brand under the SFG umbrella. This list ensured I had a
targeted approach and made sure my document landed on the right desk. In
addition to my creative resume & target list I decided to give each recipient
an incentive to take time out of their day to review my skills for relevancy;
so I popped a gorgeous, individual tea
bag into each 'resume pack' in the hope they would enjoy it while reading 'my
story'.
It
worked.
I
was contacted by SFG a couple weeks later to arrange a telephone interview,
they didn't have any opportunities at the time but thought my approach and
initiative, coupled with my skills(!), suited SFG's ideology and of course the
SHIRT values at the core of the business.
I wasn't hired immediately, as there wasn't an opportunity, but as soon as one came up I received the phone call I had been waiting and here I am working at SFG and I am VERY happy about it. The team at Katies are amazing and have been very supportive in me learning the role and business. Everyone is really friendly, approachable and hard working.
I thank SFG for being open to my unusual approach and I really feel it is a true reflection of the open-mindedness and resourcefulness of the business to go outside the box to improve the business at every level. I hope to be a member of the team here for a very long time to come." By Stuart Christie
I wasn't hired immediately, as there wasn't an opportunity, but as soon as one came up I received the phone call I had been waiting and here I am working at SFG and I am VERY happy about it. The team at Katies are amazing and have been very supportive in me learning the role and business. Everyone is really friendly, approachable and hard working.
I thank SFG for being open to my unusual approach and I really feel it is a true reflection of the open-mindedness and resourcefulness of the business to go outside the box to improve the business at every level. I hope to be a member of the team here for a very long time to come." By Stuart Christie
Stuart Looking very happy in his role at Katies! |
Notes from the Editor - As a lucky recipient of a 'resume pack' including yummy peppermint tea bag I can assure readers that this was one of the most innovative job applications I have received in over 10yrs. We LOVED receiving it! Well done Stuart we hope you have a long, happy & successful career with SFG!