As an employer, what do you think of the creative (and sometimes crazy) tactics of job seekers? Would you really hire someone who put their resume on a billboard?

I do have a payroll. As long as I posted the position, I would consider it. Look, we're to blame for this stuff. If we weren't stingy with our hiring practices, people wouldn't need to go to these desperate measures. Companies are way too picky nowadays, complain that there is no talent when there actually is, and won't consider people who are unemployed when employing them does much more for the economy than hiring someone already employed.
If companies won't play fair when it comes to hiring, then they have no room to complain about jobseekers' extreme measures to get their foot in the door and just need to shut up.

Please be creative and innovative in the interview. Wow me in the thank you letter. The resume is a very efficient document, set up for quick review. Playing with it is a risk. A billboard can not capture your value, when I am driving 65 miles an hour. Do what is required and acceptable. If you wish to be creative, add a line to the bottom of the resume that refers the Hiring Manager to YouTube, showing a video of you dicsussing how you can help solve his/her problems. I have to credit Samuel Dergel for the video idea.

Thanks Regis for the credit.

Innovative can be important, but it has to be relevant and appropriate.

One example of appropriate is a the use of a photo on a resume. In North America, including a photo on a resume is not generally considered to be appropriate. In Europe, it is almost a requirement. Why the difference? I would say it is a cultural issue. It all comes down to appropriate.

I do find it interesting that a photo is acceptable and a positive point (again, if appropriate) on a LinkedIn profile but not on a resume.

There are many innovative ways to stand out. The ideal way is to build a proper brand that accurately reflects your value while setting you in a positive light, especially in relation to your peers. Using social media to propagate your brand is a good way to get noticed (Regis is an excellent example of a finance professional that uses social media to build his brand).

A billboard for a finance professional? Sounds too desperate. Most employers would not be comfortable with hiring a desperate finance professional.

Wayne - Regis and Samuel sum it up nicely. I've exercised creativity quite a bit in my roles, there is no question it is recommended (required) to advance in any profession. The more extreme expressions of creativity that might be appropriate to some professions are not appropriate for a finance professional. A certain degree of restraint is just as important as the ability to "wow", and both need to be balanced with each other.

Do you want to be creative and helpful? What about sponsoring refreshments for career fair booth hosts? I could find several job seekers like myself, and invest some money (no more than for a billboard) and get to introduce myself to the company representatives while bringing them free refreshments.

If it's about getting your foot in the door and presenting yourself in a positive light. A finance professional showing that they are more than just spreadsheets, having excellent communication skills, thinking strategically, would be welcome to the front of the line when they walk by the booth (coffee, energy drink, water, soda..).

Even if the person in the booth is looking for lathe operators, or call center reps, they return to the office with your card and a good experience in meeting you. Casual conversation back at the office can put you at the front of the line when an appropriate position opens up. I have also had other job seekers in completely different fields refer openings to me just based upon a positive interaction from the past. All you have to do is be there, be positive, show interest in the other person, and have your business card.