He could have been a recruiter’s dream candidate, but Rob Lawrence decided to hire an advertising agency to get him a job instead.

The 36-year-old former creative director is believed to have spent £20,000 to produce a website, givebobajob.co.uk, and a film broadcasting his availability. The 40-second film shows Lawrence cleaning a toilet, saying to his fellow employees: “Imagine the potential of this place”, and is designed to show he can think creatively and see the positive in everything.

Lawrence took the unusual route of advertising his services this way after headhunters failed to find him the kind of work he wanted. Since he launched his campaign, late last month, consultants have inundated him with plum roles.

“What’s interesting is that it’s finally got recruiters on the case,” said Lawrence. “What I’m trying to prove is that there’s a different way to get noticed and get people to come to you.”