Gen Z Graduate's Elle Woods-Style Job Application Goes Viral

Newsweek

a day ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Landing a full-time job in Formula 1 is no easy feat.
That coupled with narrowly missing the application deadline for your dream role makes working in the sport virtually impossible—but one F1 fan desperate to work for current front runners McLaren decided to take matters into her own hands.
Louisa Weldy, 23, never expected a social media video to bring those all-important McLaren contacts to her—but when the job posting vanished before she could hit submit, she posted it anyway.
The Cornell University graduate, based in New York City, had been eyeing a social media role with the McLaren Formula 1 Team when she discovered the application allowed for a short introductory video.
Weldy told Newsweek: "McLaren's process lets you submit a 60-second video as part of the application, and I thought—what better way to showcase what I can do?"
Louisa Weldy stands and looks into a camera lens for a headshot.
Louisa Weldy stands and looks into a camera lens for a headshot.
In a pragmatic move, Weldy leaned into the opportunity, producing a fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek pitch that fused personality with polish. Posted on May 28 to her Instagram account, @louweldy, the video has since been viewed more than 60,000 times and has sparked waves of support, admiration—and even job leads.
"I can cut a reel faster than a McLaren pit stop," she said in the clip, dressed in the team's signature papaya orange.
The clip serves as a rapid-fire tour of her qualifications, passion for motorsport, and creative acumen. Through sharp editing and upbeat scripting, she channels the spirit of Legally Blonde heroine Elle Woods—complete with puns, references to driver Lando Norris' past wins, and a confident callout: "Hi McLaren, I'm Louisa and I'm a Cornell graduate with a passion for luxury brands, and a sharp eye for content creation."
At a time when Gen Z are increasingly reimagining the rules of job hunting, Weldy's viral reel underscores how creativity and authenticity can cut through corporate silence.
Louisa Weldy addresses McLaren recruiters in her viral job application video.
Louisa Weldy addresses McLaren recruiters in her viral job application video.
@louweldy
Though McLaren ultimately declined to proceed with her application, the video's traction—and the enthusiasm it generated—has exposed the growing disillusionment young job seekers feel in a post-layoff economy, and the alternative routes they are forging in response.
"I graduated from Cornell in 2023 and started working at a big beauty company in October," she said. "I was leading global campaigns—big ones like holiday and Mother's Day. But in January, they did layoffs and I was cut, even though I was on track for a promotion."
What followed were two difficult months of networking and searching—unsuccessfully—for a new role in the luxury or motorsport space.
"There was no traction, no luck," she added. "So I picked up part-time work babysitting and working at a boutique tennis shop to pay the bills."
With no full-time offers in sight, Weldy leaned into her creative side—acting in five short films, preparing for an off-Broadway role this September, and creating videos for TikTok just for fun.
The McLaren job was different. It was, she said, a dream opportunity, although based in Woking, England. When a friend forwarded her the listing, she began planning her application video immediately.
But before she could officially apply, the posting disappeared.
"I was crushed," Weldy said. "But I figured I'd post it to social media anyway. It was still a piece of work I was proud of—and I hoped it might reach the right people."
It did. Within days, the reel racked up tens of thousands of views and comments came in ranging from admiration to action.
"People were tagging friends at McLaren, resharing it, rooting for me," Weldy said. "It felt so validating—especially after five months of silence and rejection.
"I had reminded myself to keep my expectations really low, but it felt really validating seeing hundreds of strangers rooting for me."
She also heard from brands reaching out directly, intrigued by her on-camera charisma and production skills.
"When you've got a degree from a top school and real experience with one of the world's largest cosmetic companies, and you get no traction for any jobs for months—it can make you question your value," she said. "But this reminded me I do have something to offer."
Amid the froth and bubble of her viral fame, Weldy quietly received an update from McLaren confirming they would not be moving forward with her application.
"I wasn't upset," she said. "Honestly, just hearing back from them felt really good.
"I've applied to so many places and been ghosted more times than I can count, so being acknowledged feels nice."
More than anything, Weldy hopes her experience reminds others to embrace creativity, even in the face of professional uncertainty.
"Going viral is a weird feeling," she said. "But at the end of the day, I'm just trying to stay true to what I love—motorsports, storytelling, and sharing my voice."
As for what comes next, she is keeping her expectations low and her momentum high. With a growing social media presence, an off-Broadway debut on the horizon, and renewed confidence in her personal brand, Weldy is steering her own course—no pit stop required.