# Job-Finding Social Stunts 'Very Serious' are Holding Social Handles Hostage Until They Get Hired By Ell Smith | Published 2020-11-11 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/very-serious References: [adweek](https://www.adweek.com/agencies/these-graduates-took-agency-tiktok-handles-hostage-and-wont-give-them-back-until-they-get-a-job/) & [veryserious.partners](https://www.veryserious.partners/) Those newly graduated have been thrust into a tumultuous job market as the COVID-19 pandemic has seen major shifts in the working landscape, along with mass layoffs and restructuring. This has prompted a British duo, who call themselves '[Very Serious Partners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prohibition-collection)' to get creative in their job search. The two took to social media and made [TikTok](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/workforce-campaign) accounts under the names of popular brands that aren't yet signed up on the platform. In a humorous hostage-style video released on [Twitter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intern-social-stunt), the pair announce they refuse to give up the handles unless they're offered a job. Agencies have 72 hours to send job offers before Very Serious Partners begin to upload content under the company's name. Image Credit: Alex & Oli ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 60% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Publicity Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/publicitystunts) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Social Media Job Applications:** Using social media platforms creatively for job applications, such as creating TikTok accounts under popular brand names as a way to grab the attention of potential employers. - **Humorous Job Applications:** Utilizing humor and satire in the job application process, such as Very Serious Partners using a hostage-style video to announce they refuse to give up social media handles unless they're offered a job. - **Alternative Job Search Methods:** Exploring alternative job search methods outside of traditional job application processes, such as Very Serious Partners taking creative measures to stand out in a tumultuous job market. ### Sectors Adopting This - **HR and Recruitment:** HR and recruitment agencies could leverage social media as a way to identify creative job candidates who use alternative job search methods, such as those who utilize humor and satire. - **Social Media Marketing:** Social media marketing firms could help companies identify unique and creative ways to leverage social media platforms during the recruitment process and beyond. - **Comedy and Satire:** Comedy and satire industries could potentially play a role in job application processes as job seekers explore alternative ways to stand out in a highly competitive job market. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hybrid Workforce Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/workforce-campaign.md) - [Personality-Packed Snack Filters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flavor-filters.md) - [Job-Themed Obstacle Courses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jobstacle-course.md) - [Humorous Furniture Brand Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cushiest-internship-in-america.md) - [Digital Content Talent Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cadillac-fairview.md) - [Pizza Box Resumes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reszames.md) - [Hard Kombucha Dream Jobs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chief-strainge-officer.md) - [Professional Community Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/linkedin-3.md) - [Youth Intern Social Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intern-social-stunt.md)