A woman has shared how she got her dream gig in what people are dubbing the ultimate job hack.
When Ashleigh Spiliopoulou, from London, started to feel an itch to leave her last job, she looked into PR careers and found a company that suited her requirements.
They had no active job listings – so the 25-year-old took matters into her own hands.
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Ashleigh designed her CV to look just like the company’s website and reached out to the founder.
“So I used the ‘edit anything’ extension on Google Chrome and Canva, and I basically turned their website into my CV,” Ashleigh told What’s The Jam.
“Then I downloaded that as a PDF and then I sent an email to the founder.
“My subject line was my name and then it was dash ‘proposal to hustle’.
“I just sent an email and I was like, ‘Look, I know you’re not hiring, but I am so passionate about what you guys do. I love the ethos of your company; here’s why I would be amazing to work for you, and here’s why I really believe that you should hire me.'”
Ashleigh also shared the hack to social media, where the video has amassed over 1.1m views.
She said: “I decided that re-designing a CV in the style of emerge branding would demonstrate my commitment and cut through the noise of a busy inbox.
“Really bringing to life my passion, enthusiasm, ability to think outside the box and go the extra mile.”
In the clip, Ashleigh urges people not to “wait” for their dream job listing.
Talking to the camera, she says: “I actually want to tell you how I got my job, [because] I think this is such a life hack to avoid long interview processes.
“I feel like so many of my friends when they get in this situation [they’re] like, ‘Oh, I’ll just keep an eye out for when jobs come up.’
“No, don’t wait!
“So many companies are considering hiring, but they’ve got so much on and they haven’t had time to put the job advert out, but they are actually open to it.”
The company founder invited Ashleigh for an informal chat and said she could “make seats at the table for people” with Ashleigh’s attitude.
She said: “No one else was applying so there was no one I was up against.
“We just clicked, and next thing I know, I’ve been offered a job, and it’s changed my life.
“I love my job so much.
“I go to work every day, and I’m so inspired by the people around me, and this can happen for you as well.
“There is absolutely no reason to wait for the interview to come up.
“I think that shooting your shot in life only ever leads to positive outcomes.
“I lived for so long being afraid of failure, but what I’ve realised is that if you don’t ask, you really won’t get.”
Ashleigh is now at her dream company as a PR senior account executive at Emerge London.
The video has over 122,000 likes, as well as 900 comments.
Kiera said: “If you don’t ask, the answer’s always no.”
James commented: “Sometimes you have to make your own opportunities!”
Gioia added: “The biggest hurdle imo is actually finding a company that you’re that passionate about.”
Jessie wrote: “The hidden job market!!! Love this story.”
Alex said: “This is what creativity can do for you. Well done.”
Kirsty commented: “Well done great taking of initiative.”
Roxanne wrote: “I wish this for myself.”
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