Despite a labor shortage in the United States, securing high-profile positions remains highly competitive. With numerous applicants vying for the same roles, standing out can be a challenge.
Karly Pavlinac Blackburn from Wilmington, North Carolina, was struggling to break through the competition for her dream job when a colleague suggested a bold approach to make her application memorable.
“I was discussing ways to get noticed by employers with a former colleague,” Blackburn shared with Good Morning America. “He suggested I should do something creative—like putting my resume on a cake.”
Taking this advice to heart, Blackburn decided to pursue the idea. She aspired to work for Nike’s new business incubator, Valiant Labs, in Beaverton, Oregon. To make a splash, she ordered a cake with her resume printed on it and arranged for it to be delivered to the hiring manager. She chose September 8, 2022, a date known in Beaverton as Just Do It Day.
The logistics, however, were challenging. Blackburn couldn’t simply drive to a local bakery; instead, she ordered the cake from an Albertson’s near Nike’s campus and enlisted Instacart for delivery. Fortunately, Denise Baldwin, an Instacart driver known for her exceptional service, was assigned the task.
Baldwin, a single mother of three, approached her job with dedication. “I treat every order as if it were for my own family,” Baldwin told Today. Balancing the cake and her 8-month-old son, she navigated Nike’s expansive campus, determined to deliver the cake directly to its intended recipient. Despite security suggesting she leave the cake at the front desk, Baldwin insisted on hand-delivering it, with security’s assistance.
Inspired by Blackburn’s creativity, Baldwin expressed her aspirations. “You have inspired me,” Baldwin said. “As a mom, I'm tired of doing Instacart and know I have more to offer. I’m thrilled this worked out for both of us.”
The story of Blackburn’s cake delivery went viral on LinkedIn, amassing over 132,000 likes. Although she didn’t land a job at Nike, the attention from her unique approach led to new opportunities.
On January 30, Blackburn will start her new role as the Director of Growth Marketing at CureMint, a software startup that helps dental companies automate their operations. “It feels great to be on the other side of the job hunt,” Blackburn told Good Morning America. “The viral LinkedIn post has made the journey quite a roller coaster.”
Blackburn hopes her inventive job search strategy will encourage others to think outside the box and persist in their efforts. “Don’t be afraid to try something unconventional and never give up on your goals,” she advised. “Keep pushing forward, and you will achieve what you’re striving for.”