An unemployed recent graduate with debt problems of around £20,000 has taken decisive action to clear his debts by walking the street between two sandwich boards advertising for a job.

The history graduate from the University of Kent, decided enough was enough after trying to secure employment the conventional way of mailing CVs and contacting recruitment agencies.

Determined to land a job, David Rowe from Cambridge pounded the streets of London in suit and tie, with a billboard attached around his neck advertising himself.

He even offered to work for the first month of his employment free of charge.

Mr Rowe said: “The first 20 paces are the hardest, you feel very conspicuous, but you just steel yourself to get on with it.

“I have debts of about £20,000, and that’s not excessive compared with how much some students owe when they graduate.”

Ivan Cooper, Chairman at debt management specialists Chiltern, said: “He must be commended as it’s a very proactive way to seek employment and deal with credit commitments.

“If everyone who was experiencing financial problems was as creative in finding ways to get out of debt, I’m sure there would be far fewer people needing professional debt help.”

The ingenuity has been recognised by employers too, and Mr Rowe has already been offered a number of jobs. One interviewer said: “I liked the fact he had thought out of the box. I was impressed by that.

“I was even more impressed after the interview. He’s very employable, so much so I offered him a job.”

But Mr Rowe hasn’t committed to anything concrete as such yet. He said: “I told myself I’d do the sandwich board for five days and I will follow through on that.”

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