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If you've got to do the daily grind, then at least feel like yourself and not like you've sold your soul to a devil that wants to disarm you of all your personal style. These seven companies are young, inspiring, and pride themselves on being just a bit different. It is simple to see what distinguishes them by what they do for business and by what they want in an employee. It's not what it used to be. Here's a decent representation from all regions of the United States and a good cross-section of the workforce.

Swaptree

On Swaptree, you can exchange books, CDs, DVDs, and video games with other members and just for the cost of postage, which at the media mail rate is one of the best deals on the internet for shopping. Swaptree was recently featured on the Today Show as a smart way for families to save money by Money editor Jean Chatsky.

This is what Swaptree wants in an employee:

A group of entrepreneurs dedicated to creating an exciting, useful and cutting-edge website. Swaptree is currently looking for a few talented people to round out their team. If you think swaptree is a great idea and are interested in being part of our team, send your resume.

We are always looking for exceptional people who are excited by what we are building. So if you look at Swaptree and say, "that's amazing" and you have outstanding and relevant work experience, then maybe you should be working with us.

What we provide:

* An exciting, fast-paced, pleasant working environment

* The opportunity to work with a small team and really make a difference

* The chance to have your responsibilities grow as the company grows

* Excellent benefits

* Competitive salary

* Easily accessible office in downtown Boston

The positions below are currently available, however if you think you are too good for us to pass up, send us your resume, and if we agree, we’ll be in touch.

Swaptree was founded in 2004 when the owners noticed that their mothers were frequently trading books with their network of friends, their nephews played a new $55 dollar video game for a week or so, and then never again, their shelves (and everyone else's shelves that they knew) were filled with hundreds of CDs and DVDs that weren't going to see the inside of a CD or DVD player anytime soon, and the price of college textbooks had gotten out of hand.

StumbleUpon

This website provides a different twist on social bookmarking and searching the internet and combines it with a personal page, groups, and community-building. The most distinct feature may be that when you've gone completely blank, click on your StumbleUpon button and perform random searches and see where you end up. Give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down. I've discovered my favorite websites this way, including HubPages. For Mac users like me, it will work on Firefox.

This is what StumbleUpon wants in an employee:

StumbleUpon is a fast growing, pioneering online discovery company that enables people to connect and find relevant and entertaining content online based on personal interests, with millions of registered users. We are an independent business unit operating within eBay Inc. All jobs are located in downtown San Francisco and include: competitive compensation (salary, stock), health benefits, a ping-pong table and free snacks! Our office is easily accessible via BART, CalTrain, MUNI and the Transbay Terminal. To apply, email your resume with the name of the job as the title. At the beginning of your email please include:

* A short paragraph explaining how you would improve SU

* Relevant experience (personal projects are great!)

* Your current location

We look forward to hearing from you!

And then there's a smilie. How many companies include a smilie on their job applicant page?

StumbleUpon was founded in 2002 in Canada.

Zappos

Zappos is an online store that swears they will have the color, style, and size you want and they ship fast without an additional charge. Not a typical company with a YouTube video showing their employees hugging. They use twitter to communicate and list MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn on their website. This company is #23 on Fortune's list of 100 Best Companies to Work For 2009.

This is what Zappos wants in an employee:

Welcome to the end... the end of a boring work environment, the end of typical corporate America, and the end of a go-nowhere job! With every ending comes a new beginning... the beginning of a satisfying and fulfilling job, amazing benefits, and a career you can be proud of. Work Hard. Play Hard. All the time!

You've got to see us to believe us! ABC Nightline featured Zappos and our hiring process during one of their segments! Take a look and see if this is the right kind of environment for you! We may be a little fun and weird, but that's okay; it's a core value!

Zappos was founded in 1999 when the owner was shopping for a pair of shoes in the mall and even online. He kept finding the right pair of shoes but in the wrong color or wrong size. They started out in shoes and now offer many common consumer items. Their headquarters are in Las Vegas, Nevada and their fulfillment center is in Shepherdsville, Kentucky.

PODS - Portable On Demand Storage

Now that you've made all those purchases at Zappos, you may need a place to put them. This is an innovative way to avoid renting that moving truck a few too many times and a storage unit. PODS will bring a portable storage unit to your house. You load it up with your household belongings. They will move it to your new location or store it for you.

This is what PODS wants in an employee:

PODS offers exciting career opportunities at our corporate location and in cities all across the United States and Canada. Become a part of a dynamic company that has revolutionized an entire industry--move into a new career at PODS!

PODS was founded in 1998 on the following philosophy: We bring it. You pack it. We store it. We move it. They offer jobs in all 50 states and Canada.

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Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile is one of the wireless providers (aka, cell phone company) that focuses on youth, and because it is an international company, if you want to leave the US and go abroad, you'll have that opportunity.

This is what Virgin Mobile wants in an employee:

If you're not working at Virgin Mobile, you must be bored! Virgin Mobile USA isn't for everyone. You have to flourish in an environment where the focus is 100% on our customers. You should desire to look beyond the bottom line and recognize that young people are driving our business.

You must also enjoy driving the competition crazy by being part of creating offers that are more compelling and unique than anything that they offer. That means working at 150 mph to stay yards ahead of them. We always want to be the innovators, and leave behind those trying to copy us. It won't matter, by then we'll be onto something else anyway....

To work here, you should enjoy technology and working with data, and have a mind for analytical thinking. You'll need an ability to work very hard and have a lot of endurance. We are not a place where you come to work 9-5. A good sense of humor and ability to not take everything too seriously is going to get you a long way, too.

Being at Virgin Mobile is about wanting to be challenged in your role, not about racing up the corporate ladder. You should be willing to push the boundaries of your job and stretch it as far as it will go—so be prepared to shout out when you want more work and responsibility.

You should constantly be thinking about others on your team and other departments in terms of how they may be affected by the work you are doing. It's not all about you. It's about us...it's about our customers.

Finally, it's not just about building the most successful youth wireless network in the USA. You should be fueled by helping others and embrace and champion the pro-social concerns of our customers. We aim to help others in need, and our customers certainly expect us to.

In return you get a wild ride at one of the fastest growing youth-based companies. Sure you get a salary, a performance bonus and benefits—and you earn experience that will elevate whatever you've got on your resume at the moment. You also get the chance to work with wireless experts who are re-shaping the industry....and you become part of the legendary Virgin brand.

Don't join us unless you are willing to never give up, give in or cop out.

Are you ready to interview?

If you've been asked to come in for an interview, you'll need to do a few important things before you show up. First off, no suits please! If you're sporting a tie, you definitely have no idea what Virgin Mobile USA is about. We definitely want to see that you relate to the Virgin vibe. So, glam up a bit!

Lastly, you'll find directions to get to our office here! Have a safe trip, we can't wait to see you!

There's a link with directions for their offices in Warren, NJ and Los Angeles, CA.

Virgin Mobile was founded in 1999 in the UK and in 2002 in the US by Sir Richard Branson who started a student magazine and a small mail order record company. Since it is part of the Virgin Group, if you don't want to work in telecommunications, you've got options in planes, trains, finance, soft drinks, music, holidays, cars, wines, publishing and even bridal wear.

Elance

The beauty of Elance is that you can work for them or you can work for yourself. The company specializes in connecting employers and freelancers.

This is what Elance wants in an employee:

Elance is always looking for motivated and inspired people to join the leading provider of internet solutions for small business outsourcing.

Elance was founded in 1998 when an article titled, "The Dawn of the E-Lance Economy" was published in the Harvard Business Review. Its office is located in Mountain View, California.

Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company

Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company is the maker of American Spirit cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco. They are an eco-friendly company. They are active participants in a new green world and encourage everyone to plant a tree and perform roadside cleanup.

This is what Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company wants in an employee:

Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company seeks talented, creative professionals who want to work in a fast-paced, diverse and progressive environment. Check out the current listings for job opportunities at:

* Our headquarters in Santa Fe, NM

* Our manufacturing facilities in Oxford, NC

* Our Western Distribution Center in Sparks, NV

* With our field sales force throughout the country

The best way to show your interest in a position with Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company is to send your resume. Please indicate the specific position for which you are submitting your resume in the subject line of your email. Include a cover letter indicating your salary history and requirements, and describe why you would be a good fit for our company. Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company offers an award winning benefits package, challenging work, and an opportunity to grow with our company.

Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company was founded in the 1980s in a shed in a Santa Fe, NM rail yard.

Remember, during your job search when you're surfing the internet for entertainment to go to the bottom of the page and check for the link for Jobs, Careers or Employment. More times than not, it will be there. If not, go to their About Us page, it's likely there. If any of the companies I have profiled don't suit your needs, hopefully they'll spur your imagination for other similar companies or maybe, even a new job.

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