When Ashleigh Spiliopoulou realized she wanted to leave her last job and pursue PR, she found a company that fit all her requirements. However, there was one problem – they had no active job listings. But this didn’t deter the 25-year-old who decided to take matters into her own hands.
Ashleigh redesigned her CV to look just like the website of Emerge, a London based PR firm, and reached out to the founder. In her TikTok video, she shared that her subject line was simply her name followed by “proposal to hustle.” She explained that she sent an email expressing her passion for the company and why she believed they should hire her.
“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,” Ashleigh said. “Really bringing to life my passion, enthusiasm, ability to think outside the box and go the extra mile.”
Her creative approach paid off. The company founder invited Ashleigh for an informal chat and expressed their appreciation for her attitude, saying they could “make seats at the table for people” with her drive. Ashleigh was eventually offered a job that has changed her life.
In her TikTok clip, Ashleigh urges people not to “wait” for their dream job listing. She encourages job seekers to take proactive measures and reach out to companies they admire, even if there are no current openings.
“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!” Ashleigh exclaims.
“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 to you as well.”
Employment experts have mixed views on the effectiveness of Ashleigh’s hack and when it’s appropriate to use it. Molly Johnson-Jones, CEO and co-founder of Flexa, a platform for flexible working opportunities, advises candidates to tailor their CVs to the company they’re applying to, but also to showcase their unique skills and experiences.
“Employers want to hear from diverse candidates that will bring new experiences and ideas to the table,” Johnson-Jones says. “So don’t just turn your CV into a mirror to hold up to your dream company. Make sure you’re also showcasing what you uniquely have to offer prospective employers, including your skills, expertise, values and interests.”
She suggests using LinkedIn to connect with companies that may not be actively hiring and to share relevant content to demonstrate your interest and expertise.
However, Khyati Sundaram, CEO of ethical AI hiring experts Applied and a LinkedIn Top Voice, believes companies should move away from CVs altogether, arguing that they can introduce bias and disadvantage marginalized candidates.
As an alternative, Sundaram suggests sending personalized emails expressing interest in future roles and arranging casual chats with team members.
Despite the differing perspectives, Ashleigh’s story serves as an inspiring example of how creativity and determination can lead to unexpected opportunities. By taking a bold approach and customizing her job search strategy, she was able to land her dream job and inspire others to do the same.
