There are moments in life when you have to stop, shake your head, and wonder how on earth certain things are possible.
Like the fact that someone, somewhere, thought it was a brilliant idea to create deep-fried butter as a food item. Or that we’ve collectively decided to spend our weekends pretending we enjoy running marathons instead of sitting on the couch eating crisps.
And then, there are job hunting stories.
We’ve all heard the tales of incredibly unlikely, downright bizarre ways people have landed a job—those rare moments when the stars align, common sense takes a back seat, and somehow, against all odds, someone walks away with an employment contract.
So, in honour of those bold (or just plain lucky) souls, here are some of the most unbelievable ways people have landed a job, proving once and for all that the universe does indeed have a sense of humour.
The "Leave Your Job to Fate"Method
Our first tale begins with a rather peculiar approach to job hunting: leaving it entirely to the whims of fate.
One hopeful jobseeker decided that instead of trawling through endless job adverts and meticulously crafting cover letters, they would simply write their name, contact details, and a short pitch on a paper airplane and throw it out the window of their high-rise apartment.
Against all reasonable expectations, the paper airplane found its way to a nearby rooftop, where it was discovered by a company executive taking his lunch break. Intrigued by the sheer audacity of the act, he decided to give the candidate a call.
And just like that, an unconventional approach led to an interview—and eventually, a job offer.
Risky? Absolutely. But it proves that sometimes, a little creativity and a lot of luck can pay off.
The "Accidental Interview"Approach
Next, we have the story of a jobseeker who managed to land a job interview purely by accident.
Having been out of work for several months and feeling increasingly desperate, this particular individual decided it was time for a change of scenery. He packed a bag, booked a last-minute city break, and headed off to clear his head—and hopefully find some inspiration.
While wandering around the city, he stumbled upon a small café and decided to pop in for a coffee. As luck would have it, the café was also the venue for a business networking event that day. Mistaking him for a guest, the event organiser welcomed him with open arms.
Seeing an opportunity, our accidental attendee decided to make the most of the situation. He mingled, handed out his CV to anyone who’d take it, and struck up a conversation with the CEO of a company who was looking for someone with his exact skill set.
That impromptu chat led to an interview the following week—and a shiny new job shortly after.
The "Fortune Cookie"Breakthrough
Sometimes, career guidance comes from the most unexpected places—like a fortune cookie, for instance.
One jobseeker, down on their luck, decided to drown their sorrows in an all-you-can-eat buffet. After polishing off an impressive number of spring rolls, they cracked open a fortune cookie that read: "Opportunity is closer than you think."
In a burst of misguided inspiration, they scribbled their contact details on the back of the fortune and decided to leave it with the tip for the server.
As it turns out, that particular server was planning to leave their job for a new opportunity and was on the lookout for a potential replacement. Intrigued by the fortune-cookie stunt, they passed on the details to their manager, who, amused by the novel approach, decided to offer an interview.
And just like that, a cheeky tip turned into a life-changing opportunity.
The "Celebrity Endorsement"Gambit
If you’ve ever queued up for a meet-and-greet with a celebrity, you’ll know how strict the rules can be: no lengthy conversations, no unsolicited pitches, and definitely no job applications.
But one enterprising jobseeker decided to throw caution to the wind when they found themselves face-to-face with a tech mogul at a book signing event. Instead of the usual “I’m your biggest fan,” they handed over their CV with a cheeky note asking the celebrity to “put in a good word” at their company.
Amused by the audacity—and, as it turns out, the credentials—the celebrity actually did pass the CV on to HR.
Several weeks later, that unexpected endorsement led to an interview, and eventually, a job offer. Sometimes, taking a wild shot pays off in unexpected ways.
Need to Land Your Own Unbelievable Job Opportunity?
If these stories have inspired you to think outside the box, remember: when it comes to finding a job, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But if you’re looking for a more conventional—and reliable—way to land your dream role, Coburg Banks can help.
We specialise in matching talented candidates with their ideal roles, without the need for flying paper airplanes or fortune cookies.
So, if you’re ready to take the next step in your career, get in touch with us today. We promise to keep the surprises to a minimum—unless, of course, that’s what you’re into!
