If there's a job you really want.. you should do anything in your power to try to get it.
No really, you shouldn't. For the sake of your long-term self-esteem & professional stature, what you should be looking for is a 2-way street.
Which is not to say you should apply for companies that are hard to get into, or for which get tons of applicants that you'll have to stand out against -- of course you should. And of course you should do your homework -- look into their business plan, the profiles of people they've hired (and who are likely to interview you), etc.
But you shouldn't ever have to feel that you have to bend over backwards to get their attention. The basic point is that ultimately what you're after is a relationship where they need you as much if not more than you need them.
And to get to that point, you have to head off any inkling in their mind that you're "chasing after them." Not that you should be doing the opposite (i.e. playing hard to get). But one way or another, you need to enter into the courting process with a rock-solid sense of self-assurance that -- whatever your deltas (+/-) against their ideal profile/skillset -- you're bringing something very valuable to the table, namely, yourself. And that it should be obvious to them that stand out against the pack, and -- while you may not end up being their first or final pick -- you clearly deserve front-line consideration. Without having to jump up and down, wave your arms, or make mixtapes for them, etc.
Analogies to dating being of course more than appropriate here.
There is nothing wrong with working hard to get their attention. It isn't a 2-way street until you've already proven yourself, that's when the relationship become symbiotic.
The point is that as with dating, there's a penalty (in some cases fatal) that comes with trying too hard -- you just come off as cloying and desperate. The OP clearly exceeded that threshold, by leaps and bounds.
Assuming you put a decent effort into the process prior to applying:
The point is, at this point you've already been told no. The worst case scenario is that you're told "Still no."
Depending on what it is you do to impress them, that can be used in other scenarios. You make some marketing plan or a brochure or redo a website? Stick it in your back pocket and save it again for later.
So you look desperate? So what? Either they say no, in which case apart from the extra work you've done, you're no further behind, or they say yes and think you're desperate, but you have the job.
How someone conducts themselves in response to rejection can affect future opportunities.
It isn't uncommon to be reject a candidate for one job, but approach them about a different job that better fits their skillset. This can happen even year or two down the road if that candidate left a good impression with a senior person who hires people regularly.
Worst case scenario is that not only are you rejected for that job, but are considered not hirable for other positions in the future. Trying to prove someone wrong after they have rejected you for a position indicates that you do not respect their decision, and feel entitled to reconsideration after they already made their choice clear. It's disrespectful.
Keep your dignity, and maybe that job rejection turns into a valuable opportunity down the road.
I don't think she did that after being rejected. Based on the line below, I think she came up with the custom resume, sang a song, wrote an iPhone app as part of the application process.
>>> I wanted a job at Evernote, and I wanted it bad. So I put in my 100 hours.
You keep saying the OP 'clearly exceeded that threshold, by leaps and bounds', but recall, the story is about how it worked! So you're conclusions are directly disagreeing with the OPs actual experience.
Can you share a story of your (non-dating) experience which contradicts the OP? So far, you've just been spouting disagreements, and maybe you're right, but you haven't proved your theory with any real-world experience, where the OP has. So if you want to continue to disagree with the OP and many others on this thread, please provide your proof so we can then question the OP taking your experience into account.
The way I see it you've already proven yourself to some degree before you even apply. 99% of your experience has been acquired, 99% of your projects have been done, 99% of your skills are already in-hand. If that doesn't get the possible employers' attention already, then a few last minute stunts aren't likely to do it either.
IMO 100 hours is an excessive amount of time to spend on a single job application, even if you really want it. In 100 hours you can do a hell of a lot - I would kill to have an extra 100 hours available over the next couple of weeks (say).
No really, you shouldn't. For the sake of your long-term self-esteem & professional stature, what you should be looking for is a 2-way street.
Which is not to say you should apply for companies that are hard to get into, or for which get tons of applicants that you'll have to stand out against -- of course you should. And of course you should do your homework -- look into their business plan, the profiles of people they've hired (and who are likely to interview you), etc.
But you shouldn't ever have to feel that you have to bend over backwards to get their attention. The basic point is that ultimately what you're after is a relationship where they need you as much if not more than you need them.
And to get to that point, you have to head off any inkling in their mind that you're "chasing after them." Not that you should be doing the opposite (i.e. playing hard to get). But one way or another, you need to enter into the courting process with a rock-solid sense of self-assurance that -- whatever your deltas (+/-) against their ideal profile/skillset -- you're bringing something very valuable to the table, namely, yourself. And that it should be obvious to them that stand out against the pack, and -- while you may not end up being their first or final pick -- you clearly deserve front-line consideration. Without having to jump up and down, wave your arms, or make mixtapes for them, etc.
Analogies to dating being of course more than appropriate here.