Designer Creates Unhinged Resumes to Combat Employer Ghosting

Melbourne-based designer Felix Toohey has developed a unique and unconventional strategy to combat the prevalent issue of employers ghosting job applicants. Frustrated by the lack of response and the existence of "ghost jobs" that are advertised but not actually open, Toohey is creating "unhinged résumés" that are designed to be impossible to ignore. His approach involves hand-delivering physical, sculptural CVs directly to companies he wishes to work for, a method he dubs "Ghosting Busters." These creative applications reimagine the traditional resume format into tangible art pieces.

One notable example from Toohey's "Ghosting Busters" series is a coffee tray presentation. This installation features paper cups adorned with "latte art" that labels different sections of a CV, such as "education" and "experience." Inside each cup, a printed paper provides the detailed information for that specific section. In another instance, Toohey constructed a "lunchbox" that contained fake sandwiches made from foam. The "sandwich" fillings were designed to resemble lettuce and tomato, with his résumé printed and integrated into the edible-looking components. These elaborate creations are shared publicly on his Instagram account, showcasing his commitment to standing out in a competitive job market.

Toohey's motivation for this project stems from his personal experiences in the creative industry. After graduating from university, he found the industry to be significantly more challenging than anticipated. He began his career as an underpaid intern at a design agency, only to be "let go unceremoniously." Since then, he has worked at various design agencies and even launched his own sustainable clothing brand. Despite this diverse experience, securing a stable position as an art director has remained a difficult endeavor. He stated, "I wanted to be impossible to ignore," highlighting his desire to break through the noise and ensure his applications receive attention. To date, Toohey has produced 10 distinct sculptural résumés as part of this ongoing project, blending his design skills with his job-seeking efforts.

The "Ghosting Busters" series is more than just a job-hunting tactic; it also serves as a commentary on the current state of the hiring process, where candidates often feel overlooked or ignored. Toohey's inventive method aims to force employers to engage with his application by presenting them with a memorable and tangible representation of his creativity and dedication. His work underscores the lengths some professionals are willing to go to in order to secure employment and gain recognition in fields where standing out is paramount. The project has garnered attention for its originality and its direct address of a common frustration among job seekers.