Desperate for a job? A woman’s LinkedIn banner goes viral

If you’ve been looking for a job recently, you already know that standing out in the job market is harder than ever. With millions of people worldwide vying for attention on platforms like LinkedIn, candidate support tools — like LinkedIn’s green “Open to Work” banner — are so common that they often fall into the background.

This is where Courtney Summer Myers comes into play. Her recent viral post on LinkedIn, which featured a striking pink “#Desperate” banner instead of the typical green banner, sparked a global discussion. Whether you see it as an act of vulnerability or are impressed by its authenticity, one thing is clear: it stood out. In a flood of job seekers, Courtney’s banner exceeded expectations and captured the attention of more than 395,000 people. Myers’ creative approach embodies what marketing expert Seth Godin calls a “purple cow” – something so remarkable that it can’t be ignored.

The Purple Cow concept

Seth Godin introduced the “Purple Cow” concept in his bestselling book “Purple Cow: Transform your business by being remarkable.”. The idea is simple: A purple cow stands out in a field full of brown cows because it is unexpected, unusual and impossible to ignore. Godin argues that the most dangerous thing companies – or applicants – can do is blend in. In today’s age of information overload, it is not enough to simply be competent or qualified; You must be remarkable.

Candidates who embrace the Purple Cow mentality break away from the standard resume and cover letter formula and create something so compelling that hiring managers can’t help but notice. It’s not about being different just for the sake of it; It’s about being so authentic and unique that the job search becomes an unforgettable experience.

Examples of “Purple Cow” candidates

Courtney Myers isn’t the only job seeker who has chosen unconventional methods to get noticed. Here are a few other Purple Cow candidates who used creative tactics to get attention:

1. Alec Brownstein’s Google Ads: Brownstein used the power of vanity search to his advantage. He bought Google Ads that targeted specific creative directors at top advertising agencies. So when these directors Googled their own names, they saw an ad that said, “Googling yourself is fun. It’s also fun to hire me.” For an investment of just $6, Brownstein received calls from almost everyone Directors and received several job offers.

2. Adam Pacitti’s billboard: In a desperate attempt to find work, Pacitti spent his last savings on a billboard that read: “I spent my last £500 on this billboard. Please give me a job.” The campaign quickly went viral, garnering significant media attention and landing him a role as a junior producer.

3. Mark Leruste’s Video Resume: Leruste created a humorous and engaging video resume that showcases not only his qualifications but also his personality. The video went viral and eventually landed him a job that matched his skills and ethos.

Lessons from job seekers who set new standards

What these candidates have in common is their willingness to set new standards. They all recognized that it takes more than just skills to excel in a saturated job market – it requires creativity, courage and a deep understanding of what makes them exceptional. Whether it was a viral video, a clever ad, or a bold campaign, their applications told a compelling story that resonated with employers on a human level.

In today’s world, where the “Open to Work” banner has become as commonplace as the traditional resume, candidates like Courtney Summer Myers remind us that standing out requires more than just following the rules. Interestingly, Courtney shared that her “#Desperate” banner was not intended to highlight her, but rather to be an ironic response to the criticism surrounding LinkedIn’s green “Open to Work” banner. She had been using the green banner for months and found it absurd that job seekers should feel ashamed for openly asking for help on a platform that was supposed to connect them with opportunities.

Your banner definitely worked. Myers’ LinkedIn connections have grown by over 15,000 and she now combs through messages and emails to identify the right leads for her next job. When asked if she would take the same approach again, she replied: “Absolutely! My job search had been stagnant for 10 months. That’s the only thing that has resonated – it’s absolutely ridiculous that anyone needs to go viral on LinkedIn to get access to opportunities – but I’m in a much better position now than I was two weeks ago.”

Being notable – whether through an eye-catching “#Desperate” banner or a clever marketing stunt – can transform the job search experience and directly open up opportunities for you. But the strategy only works if it is authentic. By daring to be truly different, you increase your chances of not only being seen, but also being remembered. After all, in a pasture full of brown cows, it’s the purple cow that everyone is talking about.