Chapter 2. Don’t Trust the Official “System”: It’s Not Working in Your Favor

Depending on who you are and what your particular dreams are, you probably have a list of companies that you would love to work for. Perhaps any one of the 100 companies on Fortune’s annual Best Companies to Work For list? Or even the runners-up would be nice. Or maybe any one of the Working Mother-endorsed companies? Or AARP-endorsed companies? Or maybe your tastes run toward the more adventurous: Wouldn’t it be great to work for one of those luxury cruise lines that take passengers on eco-aware journeys to the Galapagos?

It’s probably not hard to create a list of your ideal companies. The trouble is, how do people get inside? Surely there has to be a system. Some ...

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