This interview is based on a conversation with Camille Manaois, 25, a senior social media executive at a communications agency in Las Vegas. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I’d been working at my first job after college for about three years when I began to think about moving on.
While I enjoyed my position as a marketing project manager at an architecture and interior design firm, I wanted to see what else was out there for me.
In May 2025, I began actively seeking and applying for jobs through LinkedIn, other recruitment platforms, and directly on companies’ websites.
It was taking too long
I devised a spreadsheet and applied for 10 positions in May, 12 in June, six in July, 13 in August, and 15 in September. Seven interviews came out of them, which always made me hopeful, but they didn’t lead anywhere.
I tried not to get too down about it, but there were times when I thought, “This really sucks, and it’s taking way too long.”
If I had to blame it on anything, it would be on the whole AI integration automatically filtering me out. I was receiving denials so fast that there was no way a recruiter could have reviewed my application.
By mid-September, I was getting desperate. There had to be an easier way for my applications to be seen by a live human being.
I had a bunch of stamps ready to use
My grandparents taught me at an early age to always write a thank-you note for gifts. Sending a letter was ingrained in me as a way of showing gratitude and respect.
It was also a way to get someone’s attention because if an envelope addressed to you arrives, you’re compelled to open it. “Why don’t I try the old school route?” I asked myself.
I researched the best office addresses to send the letters to and marked them for HR’s attention. It was easy because I had a printer at home and a bunch of stamps ready to use.
In total, I mailed out six envelopes containing a cover letter, my résumé, a letter of recommendation from a colleague, and what I’d describe as a “cringey” note.
“Some applicants rely on algorithms,” I wrote. “I’d rather rely on a more reliable route: your desk. Thank you for your time in reading my materials.”
I’m generally a confident person, but it put me outside my comfort zone. When you’re speaking so highly of yourself, you don’t want to come across as cocky.
The stars were aligned
I didn’t hear back from everyone, but something very promising came from a sports betting company I applied to. I got a personal reply from a woman in HR, who said it was “amazing” to receive a proper letter in her hand.
She said they were no longer hiring for the role, but she’d admired my ingenuity so much that she’d handed my résumé to Carma Connected, a communications agency for the hospitality industry located on the floor above. “At last,” I thought. “Something seems to be aligned.”
There was an open position, and they were impressed, too. I had an online interview followed by an in-person one, and I got the job offer — for a social media account executive role — shortly before Halloween. I was over the moon, especially as it coincided with my engagement to my boyfriend, Ethan, 27, a diesel mechanic.
I’ve been here for four months now — getting married while the company was on winter break on January 2, 2026 — and am really enjoying this new challenge. It’s nice to think that old-fashioned snail mail got me where I needed to be.
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