In this article (Why Networking is Overrated), Marty Nemko advises job hunters to focus on creating a winning “application” rather than networking for a gig.

“If you don’t have a great network and dislike schmoozing, you’ll land a job faster if you devote most of your job search time to writing top-of-the-pile applications for well-suited job openings.” (Kiplinger)

It’s as if he had never heard of Applicant Tracking Systems (which tend to strip out cover letters) or EEO Regulations. Nemko advises the development of a cover letter. The idea is nice but ineffective in today’s market.

Then, he suggests:

“If you make a good first impression and can think on your feet, in addition to answering ads, contact employers who are not advertising a job opening. Make a list of 25 employers you’d like to work for, and phone or send each an email…” (Kiplingers)

Or, what we commonly think of as , um, networking.

Job hunters are routinely fed a constant stream of this sort of contradictory crap. Imagine…an article called “Why Networking Is Overrated” that recommends a half-a$$ed form of networking.

People rarely get jobs from job boards. A job board is a lead generation engine for job hunters, not a magic slot machine. Information submitted to a job board ends up in Resume Databases around the globe. The decision to investigate a resume is made after there are enough responses to ensure apples to apples comparisons.

The best strategy for finding a job is:

1. Figure out what you want to do
2. Figure out where you want to work
3. Find out who works there
4. Figure out how to get to know them
5. Get to know them
6. Understand what will make them successful
7. Propose things to help them be successful