Something popped up in my inbox recently that made me smile. In fact - it made us all smile when we forwarded it around.

We're lucky enough to receive a surprising number of emails from potential Octopedes-of-the-future. The vast majority are looking for opportunities for grad placements and internships. We're flattered we get so many and we look at every single one with interest! The thing is, these are all great people with limited experience but with loads to offer, and it's often very difficult to distinguish any particular reason why we should get one candidate over to see us for a quick coffee over the next CV scribbler that comes along. If we saw everyone we instantly thought had potential... well, we'd all have a horrible caffeine addiction.

A few people recognise this, and try to do something just that little bit different to get our attention. The most recent effort was from a lovely chap who decided to write us a poem. This struck a chord with us, as Octopus loves a good bit of balladry once in a while. On forwarding it around the agency it caused a bit of a stir. Some thought it bordering on the insanely cheesey and had a good old chuckle, others thought it was cute, yet brilliant and loved it.

The creativity shown in some of our job hunters in the past has been pretty good, but having spoken to some strong consumer brands people go to the greatest lengths to get themselves noticed. For instance we had a Lunchtime Learning session recently with the HR Director of Innocent - she had a number of tales to tell about the extreme effort put into job applications, including a beautifully knitted scarf with 'give me a job' written on it (or words to that effect), and a CV written up on smoothie bottle in the Innocent style. They have also had slightly more forceful approaches where the keenest have landed on their doorstep every day, plying them with morsels of food and begging for a job.

But do these novel approaches to job applications work? Well possibly, in the more creative sectors. I can't imagine that rocking up to a city firm armed with freshly baked cupcakes would get a guy an interview. But for us, we see no harm in effort and creativity which would show the 'extra mile' and the thought behind how to make a story stand out from the crowd. And as for our budding poet? Well, his words got him noticed even if it divided office opinion, and his application does stand out from the pile. So in this respect, his tactic has been successful. When it comes to the time where we look at our internships for the year however, they'll be lots more to consider than just one neat idea!

If you are an enthusiastic undergrad or grad seeking a chance to come and work at Octopus HQ, check out our vacancies page for how to give us a shout. Maybe you could come up with your own individual way of grabbing our attention?!

The poem - (with permission to share from the author, of course!)

My name is <insert name here!>,
And there's lots that I can do.
I'm the perfect little Octopede,
And I hope you'll see it too.

I'm astute in public relations,
and always do what's best.
If an idea just doesn't work for you,
I'll let it go to rest.

I'm daring and I'm brave,
I like to think big and bold.
Yet I'm humble enough to admit,
sometimes it pays to stick with the old.

I'm hungry for perfection,
just like I was at school.
I want the client to stand up and say,
"That idea's so flippin' cool!"

Truth be told,
I'm frank and say what's true.
I don't sugar coat the good or the bad,
And give credit when it's due.

I do love working with a team,
and having lots of fun.
I'm okay with doing whatever it takes,
even if it's the daily coffee run!

Lucy