As a point of job search strategy -- avoid HR flunkies, who have been trained to check for pedigree and credentials. Instead, focus your search on interfacing

As a point of job search strategy -- avoid HR flunkies, who have been trained to check for pedigree and credentials. Instead, focus your search on interfacing with senior managers and executives that could use your specific expertise. Typically you'll have a higher success rate with small companies that no one has heard about.