While “getting discovered” usually applies to models and actors, a new company called Hire Me Tee, Inc. is hoping to help financial advisers, personal trainers and even dog walkers catch their big break.
Launched in December of 2009, the business produces T-shirts and sweatshirts that read “HIRE ME” followed by the type of job a person is seeking.
Andrej Bula, founder of the company, said after working in human resources jobs for 15 years, he thinks the self-branding approach is the most effective way to get noticed — and hired.
“You hear unique stories about unconventional ways of finding jobs,” Bula said. “Creativity and differentiation is ultimately rewarded.”
Human resources offices receive thousands of applications, and in many cases a student’s résumé will never even be seen, Bula said, adding between 50 and 80 percent of open positions aren’t even posted on company websites because there is already an ample number of people in the applicant pool.
In its first year of operation, Bula said the company has already had some success and is looking to expand. Bula declined to divulge specific figures related to the company’s success. New fonts and possibly an expansion to include hats are in the works for the coming months.
Though an attention-grabbing T-shirt might prove to be a successful approach for some, others are more skeptical.
Catharine Wahl, a Penn State U. junior, said she thinks the self-marketing strategy would actually have the opposite effect and ultimately dissuade potential employers from approaching.
“I can’t really imagine it would be good in most markets,” Wahl said. “It would get a laugh, but it seems unprofessional.”
Bula said he is also looking to expand the Hire Me brand to include universities and sell shirts that might state something like, “HIRE ME/ I’m a Penn State alumni.”
But Penn State marketing department chair William Ross said he believes the idea will be short-lived.
“It’s cute, and it ought to be interesting to people,” Ross said. “This is going to run its course. I really don’t think it will be as useful in the long-term as having a Facebook Web page.”
Students who are looking for more information about Hire Me Tee, Inc. can visit the website at hiremetee.com.