Ballista

About Ballista

Ballista is a practical solution for job seekers tired of sending applications into the digital void. It directly addresses the core problem of the modern job search: the "black hole" of online applications where resumes are filtered out by AI, buried under hundreds of competitors, and never seen by human eyes. The platform operates on a simple, powerful premise—physical mail gets noticed. Ballista helps you bypass automated systems by finding the correct hiring manager, professionally printing your resume on premium paper, and mailing it directly to their office desk. This tangible approach demonstrates unmatched initiative and ensures your application physically lands in front of the decision-maker who matters. Designed for any candidate from recent graduates to seasoned executives, Ballista turns the impersonal online application process into a targeted, memorable campaign. For as little as $5 per application, you gain a significant edge, leveraging a 90% open rate for physical mail to achieve a response rate up to 10 times higher than traditional online methods.

Features of Ballista

Smart Hiring Manager Discovery

Ballista's research tool eliminates the guesswork of finding the right contact. Simply paste a job listing link, and the platform analyzes the company to suggest the top three most likely decision-makers. Each suggestion comes with a confidence score, detailed reasoning, and a verified physical office address. This feature saves hours of manual LinkedIn sleuthing and ensures your packet is directed to someone with actual hiring authority, not a generic HR inbox.

Professional Physical Packet Creation

Your resume is transformed from a digital file into a tangible, high-impact document. Ballista prints your uploaded PDF on thick, 90lb professional-grade paper using full-color printing for a polished look. The resume is mailed flat in an envelope to prevent creasing, ensuring it arrives in pristine, desk-ready condition. This physical presentation commands attention and subconsciously communicates quality and serious intent to the recipient.

Flexible Credit-Based System

Ballista uses a straightforward credit system for purchasing and sending applications. Credits never expire, allowing you to buy in bulk for a campaign or as needed. Different actions cost different amounts: a standard mailed packet, premium certified mail with tracking, adding a personalized cover letter, or using the discovery tool. This flexibility lets you tailor your strategy and budget, whether sending one standout application or launching a full-scale job search campaign.

Proof of Initiative & Delivery

With Ballista, you get tangible proof that your application was delivered. The Premium Packet option utilizes USPS Certified Mail with tracking, providing you with a delivery confirmation receipt. This not only gives you peace of mind but also serves as a concrete data point for your follow-up. You can confidently reference your mailed application in a follow-up email, knowing it successfully reached the hiring manager's desk.

Use Cases of Ballista

Breaking Into Competitive Industries

When applying for roles at prestigious firms or in saturated fields like tech or finance, standing out is critical. A Ballista packet cuts through the noise of thousands of identical online submissions. The physical resume on a hiring manager's desk demonstrates extraordinary drive and creativity, making a candidate memorable for the right reasons and significantly increasing the chance of an interview callback.

Re-engaging with a Stalled Application

If you've applied online for a dream job and heard nothing back, the process isn't necessarily over. Sending a Ballista packet to the identified hiring manager can re-ignite their interest. It serves as a powerful follow-up that is impossible to ignore, prompting them to locate your original digital application and giving you a second, more impactful chance to make a first impression.

Senior-Level and Executive Job Search

For leadership roles, the expectation for initiative and strategic thinking is high. Relying solely on online portals can appear passive. Executives using Ballista signal their proactive nature and understanding of high-level outreach. It mirrors the direct, respectful approach used in boardroom networking, ensuring their credentials are reviewed personally by a peer in a position of authority.

Career Changers Needing to Explain Their Narrative

Candidates shifting industries often struggle with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that filter for specific keywords. A physical resume mailed via Ballista bypasses these bots entirely. It allows the candidate to use a personalized cover letter to directly tell their story and connect their transferable skills to the new role, ensuring a human makes the first evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ballista find the right hiring manager?

Ballista uses intelligent research algorithms to analyze job listings and company structures. When you paste a job link, it scans publicly available data, professional networks, and company hierarchies to identify the individuals most likely to be the hiring decision-maker for that specific role, such as a department head or senior manager, rather than a generic HR contact.

What is included in a "packet"?

A standard Ballista packet includes your resume, professionally printed in full color on high-quality 90lb bond paper. It is mailed flat (not folded) via USPS First-Class Mail to the physical office address you provide. You can add options like a personalized cover letter or choose a Premium Packet, which includes Certified Mail tracking for delivery confirmation.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery typically takes 5 to 7 business days within the United States from the time your order is processed and mailed. This timeframe uses standard USPS First-Class Mail service. If you select the Premium Packet with Certified Mail, you will receive a tracking number to monitor the delivery progress.

What if I already know who I want to send my resume to?

The process is even faster. You can sign into your Ballista dashboard and manually enter the name and address of your target hiring manager. Then, simply upload your resume PDF, and Ballista will handle the professional printing and mailing, saving you a trip to the post office and ensuring a polished result.

Pricing of Ballista

Ballista operates on a transparent credit system. Credits never expire and can be used for various services.

Single Packet: $10 for 1,000 credits. Enough for one Standard Packet (668 credits), which includes printing and first-class mailing of one resume.

Triple Pack (Most Popular): $30 for 3,150 credits (a 5% bonus). Enough to mail three Standard Packets or one Premium Packet (1,728 credits) with Certified Mail tracking.

Campaign (Best Value): $100 for 11,000 credits (a 10% bonus). Ideal for a full job search, covering approximately 10 Standard Packets or 4 Premium Packets with tracking. You can mix and match packet types.

Credit Costs:

• Standard Packet: 668 credits
• Premium Packet (with tracking): 1,728 credits
• Personalized Cover Letter: 9 credits
• Hiring Manager Discovery Search: 15 credits