Madness in Job Hunting

In a tight market job like today's, a bold imaginative stroke can work wonders.

A young job applicant walked down a corridor at Vogue Magazine in New York after failing to get an interview. As she passed the open door of a large editorial office, she noticed two empty desks and inquired about them. Learning that they have been vacated by 2 caption writers who had recently left the staff, she casually sat down, saying: 'This must be where I am supposed to work.'

The employees in the room stared as the young woman settled in, but her self possession discouraged questions. Very shortly, she was handed some photographs to caption, then more. And she kept right on working until she had an official job.

Such presumptions in seeking a job is usually not recommended. Job hunters are counseled to play it straight, follow traditional routines, avoid the garish, flamboyant and unconditional. And this is sound advice for most people most of the time.

Sometimes though, when you have fought the good fight through ego flattering months, it's good for the soul to smash out of the groove. An occasional bold stroke will not hurt too much. Surprisingly often, it works.