The employment market has changed considerably over the past few years. More and more, workers are taking career design into their own hands. No longer will they leave their lives in the hands of impersonal employers who are bound by rules and tradition.
Workers want to drive their own careers, but they'll still have to apply for jobs the same way that applicants have for years. There are certain procedures and steps that are necessary to get a job. You submit resumes. You work through the human resources department that manages the hiring process, being careful to give the employment interviewers all the information they request. And don't attempt to interview by telephone. References must be provided. This is the way things are done and, if you want to get a decent job, you have to follow these rules.
Wrong!
William Cohen, a former headhunter and corporate executive who is now a professor at California State University, Los Angeles. Let's go a little further. He's a professor of marketing and leadership. There's an odd combination. And he's chairman of the marketing department. Interesting combination coming together here. But his bachelor's degree is from West Point, where Rules are honored religiously. MBA from the University of Chicago, plus an MA and PhD from the Peter Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate School. 40 business and professional books published. This is an author to take seriously.
But, breaking the rules? In employment that could cause some serious damage! Not so says Cohen as he punches through tradition in chapter after chapter. Sixteen rules are presented, challenged, and ignored as Cohen dumps a huge amount of advice on the reader. Three appendices on sample advertisement and analysis of responses, how to find prospective employers, and sample interview-getting letters add to the value of this book.
I got goose bumps as I read some of the tactics Cohen suggests! Why, he tells his readers to violate some of the precepts that are practically holy in the employment world. He emphasizes calling the decision-maker, rather than human resources. He advises readers to bypass human resources, ignore them! Blasphemy! (Giggle, giggle.) It's enough to make you shake your head!
HR people: read this book in self-defense. It's the enemy's manual. Or are job seekers really the enemy if they don't follow the rules? Not a problem, if you're a job seeker: whatever it takes! Let's go for it! Job-seekers: read this book to get the lay of the land and a stimulating blueprint of what you can do. Tight on time, no problem! There's a quick main point summary at the end of each chapter. Want proof? Examples and illustrations throughout the book.
Break the Rules is a book for the times. GenXers will love it! And older workers will buy it to learn the secrets, then tentatively try a whole different approach that's exciting and scary at the same time. Daring. Think you're ready for this book? Don't wait till you leave your current job to get this book-Cohen advises that there are some things that you should do now to prepare yourself for that magic time when it's time to play musical jobs again.
Extra note: if you're self-employed, you'll find some interesting approaches in this book to landing new clients. Much of the marketing strategy (remember who the author is!) is transferable.
