I am doing that with a student right now. She wants a marketing job with a certain company. She applied through an ad for a job she knew she didn't have the credentials for. She was rejected by HR through their lovely screening process.

I am working with her to strengthen her approach, circumvent HR and go right to the Marketing decision makers. She will put a strong case for employment to them and bypass the killer of careers.

I would do the same for anyone else looking to start or continue a career. But I am making her work like the author's mentor did. If you really want it you have to be tough and go for it. Career building is not for the shy or faint hearted. But is you do what is needed you will be rewarded.