Laid off? In this market, many have adopted the notion that when it comes to a job these days, you either can’t be too picky, or you have to be willing to be really creative.
This cluster takes a look at some of the most innovative job ideas, entrepreneurial ventures and creative self-marketing tools we’ve featured on Trend Hunter.
Implications - The recession forced companies around the world to lay off employees en masse. Newly unemployed individuals began to look for any work possible to earn an income, which led to an unusual rise in odd jobs, paid internships and innovative moneymaking schemes. These untraditional jobs kept the economy afloat.
52 Innovative Job Ideas
51
Free Cars (With Billboards)
Paid Vehicle Advertising
50
Resume T-Shirts
Let Your Shirt Get You a New Job
49
Million Dollar Homepage: Almost Sold Out
48
Recession-Proof Jobs
Careers Promising Prosperity and Stability in 2009
47
Career-Boosting Gadgets
Innovations For Job Seekers In A Bad Economy
46
Ultra Luxurious Job Offers
Tourism Queensland Offers 'Best Job in the World'
45
Funemployment Fashion
Irina Blok's Buttons and Shirts Make Fun of Joblessness
44
Million Dollar Business Minds
Young Entrepreneur Gets Lucky With His Brainstorming
43
Ex-Con Cooks
'Conviction' Restaurant Employs 13 Former Inmates
42
Monk E-business
Rise of the New Dot Com Entrepreneurs
41
Self-Promotional Ads For Jobless Advertisers
Unemployed Egyptian Pharaohs
40
Social Entrepreneurs
A Megatrend
39
Get Paid to Use Twitter
Linkbee Puts Ads in Your Tweets
38
YouTube Recruiting (Part 2)
Cistercian Monks Get Universal Music Deal
37
Beer Bartering
UK Pub Cashes in on Credit Crunch By Letting You Swap Goods For A Pint
36
Cool Careers For Dummies: Trend Hunter Listed
35
Bright Business Promos
Artemide Offers Discount on Lamps for Entrepreneurs
34
Selling Gold At House Parties
'My Gold Party CA' is the Luxury Equivalent of Container Parties
33
Selling Teeth for Cash
The Economic Crisis Has People Selling their Golden Grillz
32
Paid Tourists
$25,000 Job For "67 Days of Smiles" in Orlando up for Grabs
31
Getting Paid to Bicycle
PedEarn
30
Get Paid To Party
Clubbing Celebs
29
Entrepreneur Communities
Endossa Shops
28
Gene-Based Job Recruitment
Sifting Through Genetic Resumes for the Best Employees
27
$10,000/Month Dream Jobs
Murphy-Goode's ‘Really Goode Job' for Web-Savvy Winos
26
Testing 52 Jobs in a Year
Sean Aiken's One Week Job
25
Giving 2.0
Kiva Loans Lend Directly to a Developing World Entrepreneur
24
Credit Crunch Hair Selling
Websites Let Desperate People Trade Their Locks For Cash
23
Recruiting Viral YouTube Stars
Bonds Commercial Stars Freestyler
22
Microlending To Entrepreneurs
Richard Branson Launches Virgin Money
21
Wild Women Entrepreneurs
Supporting Mammapreneaurs & More
20
Money-Making Mobiles
Recycle Old Phones for Dough at CellForCash.com
19
Product Testing Programs
'Brand New You Tube' Delivers You 4 Beauty Products Per Month
18
Get Paid to Hunt Trends
No More 30 Trend Minimum
17
Recruiting Wage-Free Workers
LightFair Seeks Unpaid Employees With Promise of Gratis Entry
16
Mystical Career Counseling
The Jobless BeginTurning to Psychics for Economic Guidance
15
Unemployment Olympics
Jobless Gather to Blow off Steam in Laid Off Games in NYC
14
MySpace Recruitment
Alicia Keys Finds Backup Singers Online
13
Crowdsourced Careers
Chen Xiao Performs Random Real-Life Tasks for Chinese Internet Users
12
Cashing in On Amateur Phone Apps
iPhone Trism Worth $250,000
11
Personal Bailouts
MissingMoney.com May Have The Cash You've Been Looking For
10
Kissing Booths to Pay Off Speeding Tickets
Marnie Stern's Rock Star Side Jobs
9
Get Paid For Your Photographs
Photrade
8
Inspiring Entrepreneurship
Grasshopper Gives Innovators Hope Amid the Recession
7
Odd Jobs Via GPRS
Otetsudai Flexible Workforce
6
Bossnapping
French Employees Holding Superiors Hostage to Protest Layoffs
5
Recession-Fueled Entrepreneurs
Former Microsoft Employees Head Out On Their Own
4
Bidding on Employees
Man Posts Himself on eBay as "Employee for a Month"
3
Student Writers Wanted
Virtual Student Writer Jobs Earn You Cash and Fame
2
Video Resumes
StaffTube Changes Online Recruiting
1
Auctioning Off Innocence
Australian Filmmaker Recruits for Unusual Naughty Documentary
Related Ideas
Adorable Cake-Themed Personality Tests
CakeResume Presents the What Cake R U? Quiz
Industrial Cellphone Concepts
The Nokia N90 x Nothing Concept by Viet Doan Duc is Retro and Modern
Innovation-Focused Furniture Design Collectives
Haworth Launches DesignLab to Push Innovation
Next-Gen Graphic Attire
Serenity Trends’ Graphic Clothing Offers a Futuristic Aesthetic
Inclusive Job Requirements
New Jersey Removes the College Degree Requirement For State Jobs
Gen Z IRL Campaigns
Hinge's Phonebook Encourages Gen Z to Connect IRL for Global Day of Unplugging
Kid-Powered Imagination Campaigns
Lunchables' A.I. vs K.I. Proves Kids' Limitless Creativity
AI Job Impact Predictor
Future Proof Provides Insights on How AI Will Effect Different Industries
Beer-Pouring Party Billboards
JUBEL Made a Billboard That Pours Pints Invites People in to Party
Emerging Technology Publications
New Society Has Launched Its Inaugural Book About Technology
AI Outfit Search Engines
'I Have Nothing to Wear' Uses AI to Spark Fashion Inspiration
Playful Modular Mops
Staff and Clorox Created a Colorful Wet Mop with Rubber Hat Topper
Hospitality-Themed Shoe Designs
The JJJJound x Vans Collaboration Embraces Minimalism
Creative Play Pop-Ups
The Sharpie Studio Offered Opportunities for Creativity at SXSW
Fast Food-Inspired Beachy Campaigns
Leo Burnett Italia Unveils a New Summery McDonald's Campaign
AI-Powered Resume Platforms
'Resume Generator' Makes Use of Recruiter Info and More
Consumption-Inspired Fashion Capsules
LOUTRE snd Dover Street Market Work on a New Capsule
AI Interview Simulators
Interview with AI Creates a Personalized Roadmap to Help Candidates
Affordable SEO Insights Platform
SEO Stuff Offers All-Things Keyword Research
AI Replacement Probability Tests
Will AI Replace Me Predicts Job Automation Likelihood
Eco Storytelling Workwear Campaigns
Patagonia's We Can Get There From Here Tells is Inspiring
Brainstorming Business Idea Tools
IdeaMate is the Solution to Fighting Stale Business Ideas
Circular Workwear Resale Platforms
Carhartt Customers Can Trade In Used Apparel For a Gift Card
Fantastical Hyper-Utility Fashion Liness
Outlier's Fall 2024 is Titled IDEAS 7 - Dirty Dirty Jobs
Minimalist Clutter-Free Desk Designs
The Parallel Work Table by Eldho T Jai Enhances Productivity
Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads
This New McDonald’s Campaign Encourages Eating at Home
Sensory Immersion Tools
Lifelines Activate the Body's Natural Stress Relivers
Resurrected Used Smartphones
Think Tank Team Makes Artifacts with Project Afterlife
Kid-Envisioned Urban Environments
The Little Big Playmat Takes a Creative Path to Design Problems
Recipe-Suggesting Web Browsers
The Inflation Cookbook has a Tool to Monitor Ingredient Prices
Humorous Collab Fashion Campaigns
Barbour and Maison Kitsuné Launches a New Campaign
Resume-Ranking AI Scoring
CV Score Uses AI To Tailor Your Resume to a Job Listing
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Professional Social Media Games
LinkedIn Released Three Games to Build Connections on its Platform
Creative-Backed Footwear Campaigns
G.H. Bass Introduces Its Stepping Out Campaign
AI Job Search Tools
LIQUORexam Launched a Free AI Resume and Cover Letter Builder
AI-Powered Marketing Tools
This E-Commerce Tool Uses Customer Data to Project Reward Impacts
Viral Video Databases
Viral Ideas Offers Inspiration for a Content Creator's Next Big Video
Sporty Upcycled Vintage Collections
Nike Relaunches the Re-Creation Program in London and Paris
Job Hunting AI Tools
JobBuddy Streamlines The Application Process with AI
Social Professional Productivity Apps
The 'LikeMind' App Connects Users to Other Hustlers
Celebrity-Inspired Cocktail Menus
The Quote Book by Velvet Bar Shares Drinks Based on Icons
Interactive Recruitment Billboards
easyJet's Campaign Encourages Women to Consider a Pilot Career
Playful Creativity-Focused Campaigns
Sharpie® Launches the World is Your Canvas Tour
Industrial Kobalt Ink Markers
Lowe's Debuts the New Kobalt Jobsite Markers for Industrial Workers
Festively Branded Sweater Collections
Unilever and notjust Collaborated on Christmas Jumpers
Versatile Office-Ready Canoes
Lienenkugel Creates the Corporate-Ready Canoebicle
London-Inspired Sporty Campaigns
Nike Presents the Pulse of London Campaign Honoring the City
AI-Powered Content Creation Tools
Notega is a Solution for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
AI Job Application Tools
Huntr AI Creates Resumes and Cover Letters in Minutes
Purpose-Driven Popcorn Snacks
Gourmet Popcorn is on a Mission to Create Jobs
Illuminated Charger Design Concepts
Jones & Partners Presents a Look at the New Current Concept
Inspiring Daily Bodycare
method's Unleash Your Inner Shower Celebrates Personal Transformations
Industrial Worker-inspired Fashion Capsules
Maharishi Draws Inspiration from Industrial Workwear
Hourly Job-Finding Apps
Gigs is a Job Platform for the Gig Economy
Startup Name Generators
FindName Suggests Countless Ideas to Help Name Your New Business
Creator-Celebrating Campaigns
The Frito-Lay My Joy Campaign Celebrates Creators of All Backgrounds
Flying Umbrella Prototypes
This Hands-Free Device Hovers Above You to Protect From the Rain
AI-Powered Business Discoveries
Yelp Unveils a New AI Assistant and 'Project Ideas' Feature
Play-Inspiring Workshops
LEGO is Sharing a Free Workshop Series Featuring Renowned Creatives
Third-Party Artisanal Marketplaces
Michaels Launches the MarkerPlace Alternative Marketplace
Streamlined AI Recruiters
Holly Uses AI to Find 25 Good Candidates to Your Mailbox Every Day
Gen Z-Supporting Benefit Policies
Chipotle Launches a New Benefits Program for its Gen Z Employees
Whimsical Bright Creative Workspaces
Publicis Groupe's New Workspace is in New York's SoHo
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
Mock AI Interviews
Mock Interviews by Talently.ai Helps People Prepare and Practice
Daily Motivational Quotes
QuoteBuzz Uplifts with Positive Reinforcement Aligned to Their Goals
Humorous Slogan Graphic T-Shirts
Navinder Nangla Joins Converse on the City Tees Initative
AI Enhanced Job Searches
Jobright.AI is a co-pilot that helps you find, apply, and get the job
Employee-Designed Milk Cartons
EveryDay Milk Shares Artwork by the Town and Country Markets Team
Resume-Optimizing AI Tools
ResumeOptimizerPro Can Tailor a Resume to a Job Posting in Seconds
AI-Assisted Job Hunting Features
LinkedIn Job Collections Use AI for Tailored Categories
Idea-Testing Startup Tools
Startup Idea Tester Streamlines the Early Stages of a Business
Kindness-Promoting Marketing Campaigns
Once Upon a Coconut Launches 1 Million Acts of Kindness
Problem-Based Website Ideas
Painkiller Ideas Offers a Database of Real Consumer Problems
Pizza Craving Campaigns
Domino's Pizza and WorkInProgress Launch the Emergency Pizza Campaign
Work-Ditching Video Game Campaigns
Call of Duty's "Ghost Your Boss" Invites Players to Skip Work
AI-Driven Post-Meeting Tools
Retroideas.ai Suggests Retrospective Topics to Boost Meetings
Gen Z Advertising Tools
YouTube Launches a New Music Tool to Connect Advertisers with Gen Z
Affordable Lifestyle Directories
'I Have This Friend' Makes Aspirational Living More Accessible
AI-Powered Job Searches
LinkedIn Premium is Introducing a Coaching Chatbot for Job-Seekers
Offline Shopping Campaigns
'Shop Offline' Helps People Rediscover the Joy of Real-World Shopping
Inspiring Creator-Focused Decks
TikTok Launches a New Creative Content Inspiration Deck
Business Idea Keyword Checker
Build the Keyword Helps Find Keyword for Optimal Traffic
AI-Powered Recruitment Tools
Brainner Uses AI to Sift Through Hundreds of Resumes in Minutes
Personal Productivity Planners
PlanPlume Increases Work-Life Balance Through Personalized Planning
Employee Wellness Resources
Flimp Communications Debuts the New 'Employee Wellness Toolkit'
Youth Intern Social Stunts
Louis Vuitton Hires a 13 Year Old Intern After Sketches Went Viral
AI Job Interview Prep
InterviewAI Can Provide Feedback on Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
Spicy Eating Contests
The Spicy Hustle by Schlotzsky's is for a Couple with a Love of Spicy Food
Joy-Inspired Beauty Campaigns
Ulta Beauty Launches the Joy Project, a Ground-Breaking Study
AI-Powered Marketing Strategies
The M1 Marketing Strategy Generator Will Build a Strategy
Burnout-Preventing Toolkits
The Upward Spiral Playbook Offers Strategies to Navigate Challenges
Review-Based Marketing Campaigns
These Amazon Campaigns Bring Real Reviews To Life
Gen Z-Targeted Credit-Building Tools
Austin Capital Bank Launches the Freekck Credit Builder
AI Job Application Reviewers
Job Seekers Can Upload Their Resume and Get a Score in Minutes
Mindful Sabbatical Planners
This Planner Helps People Navigate and Reflect on the Work Breaks
Entrepreneur Brand-Building Tools
IndieLogs Helps Founders Stand Out Through Personalized Profiles
Inspirational Learning Management Tools
'Get Inspired' Offers Digestible Snippets of Content
Streamlined Job Application Tools
Flash Apply Saves Candidates Time and Energy
London Creative Loafer Campaigns
G.H. Bass Taps Creatives for the Stepping Out Campaign
SaaS Influencer Marketing Tools
Beeing Social Launches 'Buzz Bee Buzz' for Influencer Marketing
Personalized AI Career Roadmaps
Career Recipes by Adaptiv Help Those Navigating Career Challenges
Streamlined Job Searching Tools
Upply is an All-in-one Tool to Aid Candidates in the Job Search
AI Elevator Pitch Generators
Elevator Pitch Uses AI to Create Personalized Entrepreneurial Pitches
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
Inclusive Workplace Handbooks
The Northern Ireland Civil Service Debuts a Neurodiversity Handbook
Briefcase-Compact Office Set-Ups
Worky Designs the Compact and Portable Home Office
Incarcerated Employment Programs
Next Chapter Aims to Create a More Equitable Workplace
Professional Community Platforms
LinkedIn is Targeting Gen Z Professionals with its New Campaign
Thought Leadership Assistants
Jessica By Queue Uses AI to Streamline Content Creation
AI-Enhanced Job Searching Apps
Simplify Leverages AI to Match Candidates with Suitable Positions
Post-Launch Entrepreneurial Newsletters
One Year Wiser Interviews People One Year After Launch
HR Productivity Tools
Notion for People & Hiring Offers a Tailored Approach to HR and Hiring
Mental Health Branding Initiatives
L.L.Bean Digitally Detoxed for Mental Health Awareness Month
Authentic Men-Targeted Campaigns
Schick Encourages Men to Follow Their Passions in New Campaign
Music Content Campaign Tools
Spotify Presents the Showcase Tool for Artists to Promote
Hotel-Led Vintage Markets
The MOB Hôtel Hosted a Vintage Market, an Eco Conference and Workshops
Omni-Channel Recruitment Services
Appcast Debuts a Comprehensive Recruitment Marketing Solution
Personalized Professional Content Generators
Viralify AI Crafts LinkedIn Posts to Save You Time
Cocktail-Inspired Togetherness Activations
Smirnoff's Global Connectivity Initiative Launched
Failed Digital Product Databases
Dead Product Marketplace is a Graveyard for Abandoned Projects
Year-Long Professional Content Calendars
Content Squeezy Provides Social media Ideas
Employee Engagement Tools
Triibe Offers Interactive Newsfeed, Polls, Surveys, and More
April Fool's Lifestyle Collections
Nugget Introduced Its 'Most Trendiest - High Endiest' Line Yet
Versatile Marketing Toolkits
Looper Insights Releases a Digital Marketing Insights Tool
Practical Practice Coding Projects
SkillReactor Helps Coders Hone Their Abilities
Design-Led Lifestyle Brands
The John Lewis Partnership Unveils a New Lifestyle Brand and Tote Bag
Efficient Fact Generators
Facts Generator Can Produce Interesting Facts About Any Subject
Veteran Employment Courses
Home Depot Releases Online Courses for Veterans Seeking Civilian Jobs
AI-Driven Job Recruiter Tools
OnlyJobs Can Write Job Descriptions and Sift Through Resumes
Diverse Job Connection Platform
FlexRem Caters to Hybrid, Remote, In-Office and More
Business Slogan Generators
The Slogan Generator Will Create a Catchy Slogan for Any Business
Weekly Business Management Tools
KeepWeek Helps Entrepreneurs Stay Organized
Inclusive Hiring Programs
El Car Wash Launched a Neurodivergent Hiring Program
Creativity-Focused Online Networks
NOCK is an Online Network for Creatives to Collaborate
Job Resignation AI Tools
ResignationLetter.io Will Help You Quit Your Job Professionally
Improv Scene Generators
Instant Improv Suggestions Bolsters Creativity for Performers
Streamlined Start-Up Job Searching
Startup Jobs by Binh Pham is a Community for Job Seekers
Efficient Job Outreach Solutions
Career Connect Helps Job Seekers Find Company Emails