But things have changed a lot in the past years, especially since 911 and Katrina. And the classic notion of a job as a well-defined description of an employment task has changed, too. Sure, you'll still find job descriptions, as in advertised job openings online or in the paper. But they aren't what they appear.



For example, in our research we've found that many advertised job openings or even non-advertised job descriptions are really crapshoots. Employers are trying to get feel for who's out there. They're really only doing a little market research of their own.

So, when you apply for one of these openings, your resume and job app information is thrown in the hopper with possibly hundreds of others. And some personnel staffer will sort them out to get a feel for what talent is out there. These are not hiring decision-makers reviewing this information. Chances are those folks will never even see your resume.

Why?

Well, put yourself in a busy manager's shoes. You know there are some business needs that have to be filled by bringing someone new on board. Now, if you were anxious to make a hiring decision but you also have a hundred other important decisions you're responsible for making as well, which of these two candidates would you prefer to meet within the limited time you can set aside?

1. Someone who has passed through a couple interview cycles conducted by an unrelated department and whose credentials are on a piece of paper (which focuses on what the candidate used to do for someone else).

2. Someone who's been recommended to you by a pro in the business and who has made a personal introduction. By the way, this candidate has not submitted a resume, but has put together a thoughtful proposal showing how he/she would answer some organizational issues of importance to you. And the proposal has been submitted directly to you in advance.

Number two is the hands down winner in all the surveys we've conducted. But to get that meeting you have to treat this as a non-job.

In other words, if you think you'll beat out the competition and go after a job by putting together a superior resume and jumping through all the hoops some lower level interviewers throw at you . . . I believe you can readily understand how limited your chances are, especially if your up against a savvy candidate like #2 who treats this as a non-job.

The non-job candidate approaches this as an opportunity to meet face-to-face with a decision-maker and help that employer solve some problems. And then, together, they shape the job description that will move the process forward.

It's all part of the exciting alternative job search revolution using non-traditional career advancement strategies. It's why non-job candidates are getting in front of employers in matter of days without all the resume and interviewing hoopla. And why they're locking up great job offers in as little as two weeks!