Alfred Ajani has been inundated
with offers of interviews after taking a radical approach to job hunting.
Alfred Ajani, 22,
has applied for over 300 positions since getting a degree in marketing earlier
this summer – but says he has struggled in the crowded graduate labour market. Determined
to land his dream job, he decided to hand out CVs to company bosses commuting
into the City of London through Waterloo Station this morning. Alfred stood at
the entrance to the busy station holding a sign stating: ‘Marketing graduate
(BA Hons 2:1 Coventry Uni) Ask for CV.’
His direct
approach received a warm response from commuters, with many stopping to discuss
potential positions. Alfred, who lives not far from the station, said: ‘I
graduated in May and have been applying for jobs ever since, but it’s very
difficult at the moment. ‘The only ones that have come up have not really been
what I wanted, I’m interested in marketing and advertising. ‘I realised that
there are thousands of students out there using the same old methods of
applying for jobs online and through recruitment agencies and so I thought I’d
try something different.
‘I got up early
and went to the station. At first people just looked at me but after about 10
minutes people starting stopping and talking. They said they’d never seen
anything like it before and were really impressed. ‘One woman worked in advertising
and took a CV and another guy ran back from his train and said he’d walked past
but had started thinking and might have something for me.’ Alfred added: ‘I’ve
already had some phone calls and have got an int erview booked for later today.
The support was great, one man even bought me a cup of tea and told me “good
luck”.’
Alfred has worked
as a waiter while studying and has taken positions as an intern in the music
industry in a bid to boost his job prospects. He asked friends to help him hand
out his CVs, but thinks they were put off by the early start. A photo of him
giving his phone number to a passing commuter circulated on Twitter this
morning, with website users offering their support.
After seeing the photo, one
Twitter user wrote: ‘Good on him for putting himself out there!! Time waits for
no man!! Love it!!’
Another added:
‘It’s a good idea. I would’ve hired him into my business straight away if I saw
him.’
Olympic medallist
Kelly Sotherton retweeted the photo, and motivational speaker Gavin Ingham
wrote: ‘He will no doubt get interviews and offers whilst others sit at home
moaning. Good on him.’
Darasimi, thanks for sharing this. What an innovative radicalism! This is what I need to move my business to the NEXT LEVEL. God bless you, my brother. I love the story.
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