Ballista

About Ballista

Ballista is a growth-stage startup on a mission to dismantle the broken, impersonal system of online job applications. We empower ambitious job seekers to break through the digital noise and land directly on the desk of the person who matters most: the hiring manager. In an era where applicant tracking systems (ATS) and AI filters automatically reject up to 75% of candidates before human eyes ever see them, Ballista provides a scalable, tangible solution. Our platform combines intelligent research with the undeniable impact of physical mail. We identify the precise decision-maker for any role, professionally print your resume on premium 90lb bond paper, and mail it directly to their office via USPS First-Class Mail. This strategy delivers a 10x higher response rate than traditional online applications by leveraging a fundamental truth: paper gets opened, noticed, and remembered. For as little as $5 per application, Ballista users bypass bots, skip HR gatekeepers, and demonstrate unparalleled initiative—transforming from an invisible PDF in a database into a memorable, physical candidate that hiring managers can't ignore or ghost.

Features of Ballista

AI-Powered Hiring Manager Discovery

Our proprietary research engine does the heavy lifting for you. Simply paste a job listing link, and Ballista's intelligent system analyzes the company structure 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 eliminates hours of manual LinkedIn sleuthing and guesswork, ensuring your packet targets the right individual from the start.

Premium Physical Packet Delivery

Ballista transforms your digital resume into a tangible asset. We professionally print your uploaded PDF on thick, pro-grade 90lb bond paper (8.5x11 US Letter size) and mail it in a flat envelope to prevent creasing. The packet arrives via USPS First-Class Mail within 5-7 business days, landing with the substance and permanence that digital files lack. This physical presence on a hiring manager's desk commands attention in a way an email never could.

Flexible Credit-Based System

Scale your job search campaign with our transparent, pay-as-you-go credit system. Purchase credits in packs that never expire, and use them for various services. Allocate credits for Standard Packets, Premium Packets with certified tracking, smart cover letter personalization, custom brand design, and more. This flexibility allows you to mix and match strategies across multiple applications without being locked into rigid, one-size-fits-all plans.

Campaign Management & Tracking

Designed for the serious job seeker, Ballista enables you to run coordinated outreach campaigns. Use larger credit bundles to send multiple packets for different roles, optionally upgrading key applications to Premium with tracking and proof of delivery. This feature provides a strategic framework to manage your entire outreach effort, track what you've sent, and measure your tangible impact beyond the digital void.

Use Cases of Ballista

Breaking Into Competitive Industries

When targeting roles in hyper-competitive fields like tech, finance, or media, standing out is non-negotiable. Ballista users apply for these coveted positions by ensuring their resume is the only physical document on the hiring manager's desk amidst hundreds of identical digital submissions. This bold move demonstrates confidence and tenacity, key traits that top firms actively seek.

Overcoming Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Filters

Job seekers who are perfectly qualified but whose resumes are formatted in a way that confuses ATS bots find immense value in Ballista. By completely bypassing the digital filter stage, your application reaches human evaluation immediately. This is crucial for career changers, those with non-linear career paths, or individuals with skills that are often poorly parsed by automated systems.

The Senior-Level Executive Search

For directors, VPs, and C-suite candidates, discretion and direct outreach are paramount. Ballista facilitates a professional, direct-line approach that respects protocol. Sending a finely crafted physical packet to a fellow executive shows peer-level respect and initiative, making it far more effective than getting lost in a general HR portal meant for mass applications.

Reviving a Stalled Job Search

After applying to 50+ jobs online with no responses, job seekers experience the "black hole" effect. Ballista acts as a powerful reset button. By switching tactics to a physical, targeted campaign, candidates can reinvigorate their search, gain new momentum, and finally secure interviews for roles where they were previously invisible, often re-engaging with companies they had already applied to online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ballista find the right hiring manager?

Our system uses smart research algorithms to analyze publicly available data from company websites, professional networks, and business directories. When you paste a job link, we cross-reference the department and role title with organizational hierarchies to identify the most probable direct manager or department head, providing you with multiple verified options and the reasoning behind each suggestion.

What is included in a "Standard Packet"?

A Standard Packet includes our AI-powered search to find the hiring manager (or you can provide a name/address), professional printing of your one-page resume on premium 90lb bond paper, and delivery via USPS First-Class Mail in a flat envelope. It is designed for effective, straightforward outreach without tracking, costing 668 credits from your balance.

What is the difference between Standard and Premium Packets?

The Premium Packet includes all the benefits of the Standard Packet but is sent via USPS Certified Mail. This provides tracking, proof of mailing, and a delivery record requiring a signature. It's ideal for critical applications where you want confirmation of receipt. A Premium Packet requires 1728 credits, reflecting the enhanced service and postage costs.

Do my credits expire?

No. Ballista credits never expire. You can purchase a credit pack today and use it weeks or months later whenever you are ready to send your next application. We believe in giving you complete control over the timing and pace of your job search campaign without any pressure or hidden fees.

Pricing of Ballista

Ballista operates on a flexible credit system. You purchase packs of credits, which never expire, and spend them on the services you need.

Single Packet: $10 for 1,000 credits. Perfect for trying the service. Covers 1 Standard Packet (668 credits) with credits left over for extras like a cover letter.

Triple Pack (Most Popular): $30 for 3,150 credits (includes a 5% bonus). Mail 3 Standard Packets or 1 Premium Packet with tracking. Offers a balance of value and flexibility.

Campaign (Best Value): $100 for 11,000 credits (includes a 10% bonus). Designed for a full-scale search. Mail 10 Standard Packets or 4 Premium Packets, and mix/match services as needed.

Credit Costs: Standard Packet: 668 credits. Premium Packet (with tracking): 1,728 credits. Cover Letter: 9 credits. Brand Design: 35 credits. Resume Scrape: 3 credits. Target Discovery: 15 credits.