Ballista

About Ballista

Ballista is a revolutionary job search platform that weaponizes a classic medium—physical mail—to help candidates break through the digital noise. In an era where online applications vanish into Applicant Tracking System (ATS) black holes, Ballista offers a tangible, high-impact alternative. The service is designed for proactive job seekers who are tired of being ignored by algorithms and want to demonstrate exceptional initiative directly to the people who make hiring decisions. Its core value proposition is simple yet powerful: bypass automated filters by delivering a professionally printed resume and cover letter directly to a hiring manager's physical desk. Ballista handles the entire logistical chain, from using smart research to identify the correct decision-maker to printing your materials on premium paper and mailing them via USPS. For a fraction of the cost of a new suit, users gain a significant psychological and tactical advantage, transforming their application from an invisible digital file into a physical artifact that commands attention and dramatically increases response rates.

Features of Ballista

Hiring Manager Discovery Engine

Ballista's intelligent research tool is the cornerstone of its service. Users can paste a job listing URL, and the platform analyzes the company to suggest the top three most likely decision-makers. Each suggestion comes with a confidence score, reasoning, and a verified physical office address. This feature eliminates the hours of guesswork and LinkedIn sleuthing typically required to find the right contact, ensuring your packet reaches someone with actual hiring authority.

Premium Physical Packet Creation

Once the target is identified, Ballista transforms your standard PDF resume into a tangible marketing piece. Your documents are printed on thick, 90lb professional-grade bond paper, ensuring a substantial and impressive feel. The materials are mailed flat in an envelope to avoid unsightly folds, preserving a pristine, professional presentation that stands in stark contrast to the pile of standard office mail.

Flexible Credit-Based System

Instead of rigid subscriptions, Ballista operates on a transparent credit system. Users purchase packs of credits that never expire. Different actions cost different amounts: mailing a standard packet, adding certified tracking, or using the cover letter personalization tool. This allows for complete flexibility, letting users pay for exactly what they need, from a single application to a full-scale job search campaign.

Integrated Application Tools

Beyond just mailing, Ballista provides a suite of integrated tools to enhance your packet. For a few credits, you can add a smartly personalized cover letter, apply custom brand styling for visual cohesion, or use the resume scrape feature to extract contact information. These tools allow for a highly customized and professional application package without needing design or writing software.

Use Cases of Ballista

The Strategic Role-Changer

A professional aiming to pivot into a more senior role or a different industry uses Ballista to circumvent HR gatekeepers. By sending a meticulously crafted physical packet directly to a department head or VP, they demonstrate strategic thinking and serious intent, making their career transition proposal impossible to ignore amidst a sea of generic digital applications.

The Recent Graduate

A new graduate with a sparse digital footprint and limited network uses Ballista to create a memorable first impression. A tangible, high-quality resume packet on a hiring manager's desk provides a concrete touchpoint that a LinkedIn profile cannot, showcasing professionalism and drive that helps them compete against candidates with more experience.

The Executive Candidate

Senior executives and C-suite candidates utilize Ballista for discreet and direct outreach. The tangible, confidential nature of physical mail is ideal for sensitive career moves. It allows them to bypass corporate portals entirely and place their credentials directly into the hands of a board member or CEO, aligning with the high-stakes, personal nature of executive recruitment.

The Persistent Applicant

A candidate who has applied online multiple times without a response employs Ballista as a powerful follow-up strategy. Sending a physical packet after a digital application serves as a bold reminder of their interest and qualifications. It physically places their name and resume back on the decision-maker's radar, often triggering a review that the initial online submission did not.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ballista find the right hiring manager?

Ballista uses a proprietary research engine that analyzes company structures, job titles, departments, and publicly available data. When you paste a job link, it cross-references this information to identify and rank the most probable decision-makers for that specific role, providing you with names, titles, and verified physical addresses to ensure your packet reaches the right desk.

What is included in a standard packet?

A standard Ballista packet includes your resume printed in full color on premium 90lb bond paper (US Letter size), mailed flat via USPS First-Class Mail to ensure it arrives without folds. You have the option to add a personalized cover letter and custom design styling for an additional credit cost. Certified mail with tracking is available as a premium upgrade.

How long does delivery take?

Ballista packets typically arrive at their destination within 5 to 7 business days after being mailed via USPS First-Class Mail. You can select the Premium Packet option, which uses Certified Mail, for added security and tracking details, allowing you to confirm delivery directly to the hiring manager's office.

Do my credits expire?

No, Ballista credits never expire. When you purchase a credit pack—whether the Single, Triple, or Campaign pack—you can use those credits at any time in the future. This flexible system allows you to buy credits when you need them and use them for applications as opportunities arise throughout your job search journey.

Pricing of Ballista

Ballista operates on a transparent, credit-based pricing model. Credits never expire and can be used for various services.

Single Packet: $10 for 1,000 credits. Enough for one standard application packet (668 credits) with credits leftover for tools like cover letter personalization.

Triple Pack (Most Popular): $30 for 3,150 credits (a 5% bonus). Ideal for mailing three standard applications or one premium Certified Mail packet with tracking (1,728 credits).

Campaign (Best Value): $100 for 11,000 credits (a 10% bonus). Designed for a serious job search, covering approximately 10 standard mailings or 4 premium tracked packets, with ample credits for added personalization and research tools.