I listened to a podcast interview recently and according to, Janet White, "if you want to get the job of your dreams, stop going to the job boards, don't mass mail your resume, forget networking, don't even think about recruiters and avoid Human Resources like the plague."
For 35 years, Janet White says she, “has gotten every job she ever wanted easily and effortlessly, even when she didn't have the qualifications, didn't have any experience, didn't know anyone on the inside, there was enormous competition and the economy was either in the tank or getting there."
Anyway, I listened on to the podcast to see what direction this would take.
Basically, Janet said when you get notice that you have been fired or laid off, take a deep breath and don’t assign any emotions to it. Rather, be happy for the things you have. This event gives you the opportunity to explore a career change.
Next visualize yourself already in the job. There is abundance out there and the job will come to you if you take responsibility for yourself. At that point she went into a tirade about recruiters, and that they were only interested in finding people who matched the skills desired by the employer, rather than finding you a job.
When pressed with the question of how you do get a job, she said you go directly to “Mr. Big” her euphemism for the person who can hire you if they think you can solve their problem. According to the strategy she was offering up, you tell Mr. Big what he wants to hear (not what you believe yourself). Don’t worry, she said, about being qualified for the job, Mr. Big will hire you if he likes what he hears.
She said that a resume is just an introduction to you, and the most important thing is you cover letter. It so happens that her book has two chapters on writing a cover letter (she didn’t say why to chapters on the same subject).
When she was asked how you find your future employer, she gave a little scenario that featured an Accountant who could do accounting for just about anybody. Her suggestion was to look to a hobby to combine skill and personal interests. Turns out her imaginary accountant liked wood working, so she said that he should go into Home Depot and pick up a tool. If he turned it over he would find the name of the manufacture and he could contact them about a job.
The interviewer pointed out that all of those companies were in China. She said, “Do you think so?” Undaunted she continued, “… well there has to be hundred of companies that saw the wood to fill Home Depots, so contact one of them about being an accountant.”
Well, now I have heard it all… the New Age meets Greed in the lamest attempt I can remember to cash in on the misfortune of others and take money for her book from people who need a job. This was such a disgusting rouse to propagate a load of hooey that I am not even going to dignify it with a link to the source.
She would have you believe that all you have to do is to “channel” a new job, forget about experience, training and study, and actually qualifying for the position (that’s why she doesn’t want you to get near a Human Resources office). By the way, recruiters are supposed to match candidates with the skill set needed to be a high achiever in the job, that’s what they do.
If you ever see this person’s name, and she does have several employment related articles and podcasts floating around in cyberspace, rapidly mouse click out of that web site. Any site that would give her a platform has no business ethics.
As my mentors have reminded me, “If it sounds too good to be true… it is!” And, “The easiest choice is the wrong one.” Finding a new job and recruiting a new employee takes a lot of effort and commitment on both sides.