Billboard job hunt is sign of the times

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Eric Jacobsen has never run an advertising campaign.

But Jacobsen, a 20-year veteran of the information technology industry, has found himself out of work twice in the last year, and is making the biggest pitch of his life.

Tuesday, Jacobsen, with the help of a local billboard company and a few friends who donated their services, plastered his face and resume on a billboard in West Austin with the hope that someone will see it and give him a job.

The billboard is at the corner of RR 620 and 2222.

"Having the idea was one thing," said Jacobsen. "But having the courage to do it was another thing."

Jacobsen came to Austin in 2007 to work at Dell. He was laid off there a year later. Another company hired him, but let him go earlier this year.

"It's a little scary, but I'm actually looking forward to seeing what's going to happen," said Jacobsen.

Jacobsen is not the first with a creative approach to a job search in Austin. In March, Javier Davila, 37, stood at the corner of U.S. Highway 183 and Braker Lane in North Austin with a simple sign that read "Free Resumes."

As Davila handed out his resumes to drivers passing by, they also read on his sign that he wasn't asking for change, "only luck." Davila, said Tuesday, as a result of his efforts in March, he has found two contract jobs with Central Texas companies.

Jacobsen has also started a Twitter account, LinkedIn profile, and his own Web site which touts his skills and pedigree. Jacobsen said he is also looking to expand his reach, possibly beyond the tech industry, into a film or green energy job.

Jacobsen said he used his severance from his previous job to pay for the advertising.

Another man makes a billboard resumé

Graduate’s billboard resume: