Tom Berger

Recent Posts

One Page Resume Nonsense

Posted by Tom Berger on Jan 15, 2020 4:09:12 PM

It seems to be a universal recommendation that resumes should be restricted to one page.  This recommendation might be a good, general guideline, but certainly should not be a hard and fast rule.  The applicable content –whether it is one paragraph or four pages – should drive the length of the resume. A recent high school graduate, for example, might have a very difficult time filling up a one-page resume, even with fourteen-point font and wide margins.  On the other hand, it would be sufficient for Peyton Manning or Tom Brady to submit a two-line resume that included their name and the address for the offer letter if they were applying for a quarterback coaching position!

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Topics: Resume Writing, Resume Tips, Interview Prep, Interview Preparation

If nothing else, prepare for these 3 interview questions

Posted by Tom Berger on Dec 14, 2019 4:49:43 PM


A Google search on “interview questions” will result in hundreds of hits, and most are actually quite helpful. But a common mistake that most candidates make is to quickly review the questions and mentally develop a picture of how you would answer them. Our minds work at blazing speeds compared to our mouths!  Instead of just reading and “knowing” how you will answer the questions, say your answers out loud – preferably while standing in front of a full-length mirror. After you have stumbled with your first few answers, you will quickly realize you need to prepare and practice. 

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Topics: Executive Interviews, Interview Prep, Interview Preparation, Career Transition, Interview Questions

Considering making the jump to a company of a different size? Read this first.

Posted by Tom Berger on Aug 25, 2019 6:15:29 AM

Other than size, as measured by revenue, the number of employees, or perhaps, physical presence or
reach, the biggest difference between large and small companies is the level of internal support that they provide. Support can cover a wide range of activities varying from well-defined internal “silos” in which certain tasks are relegated to specific departments, to companies that expect individuals to “Do whatever it takes” to get their job done. Based on one’s experience, an individual can become accustomed to operating anywhere within the operational support continuum.

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Topics: Career Advancement, Career Opportunity Evaluation, Executive Career Success, Cultural Fit, Culture Fit Assessment, Large Company Environment, Small Company Environment, Small to Large Company Move, Large to Small Company Move, Career Transition, Candidate-to-Company Fit, Start-Up Environment, Changing Company Size, Company Fit, Corporate Environment

They Know All About You

Posted by Tom Berger on Jun 27, 2019 2:16:57 PM

The old statement, “You can run, but you can't hide” is truer today than ever before. Two words explain it: social media. Couple those words with the now recognized lack of privacy that has engulfed us all and we have a situation that results in others, especially prospective employers, knowing more about you than you know about them.  The statement that everything that ever was or will be is “Googleable” is not far from the truth. Almost all of our deepest, darkest secrets can be discovered. It is a reality, and we all must learn to live with it. Today, we see public officials confronted with statements and pictures from their distant past come back to haunt them. In many instances, those ancient incidents are taken out of context.  Explanations are interpreted as excuses. It can easily happen to you!

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Topics: EMBA, Career Planning, Executive Recruiting, Interview Prep, Interview Preparation, Social Media

the right way to ask questions in an interview

Posted by Tom Berger on Jun 7, 2019 8:59:46 AM

Many people approach an interview as if it were a test in which the candidate patiently waits to respond to the questions asked by the interviewer.  Although some of the question / answer dialogue is required, essentially the candidate is playing on the interviewer’s home court and playing by their rules.  It is easy to change the game. There is an old saying, “The more they talk, the smarter that they will think you are.” With the standard q/a format, the interviewer may ask a one sentence question, and the candidate may respond with a one paragraph or one-page response.  This normal interaction is the exact opposite of the old saying.

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Topics: EMBA, Career Planning, GeniusMesh, Executive Interviewing, Career Advancement, Executive Interviews, Interview Prep, Interview Preparation

DNA Match? Assessing Culture Fit

Posted by Tom Berger on May 17, 2019 11:54:58 AM

Historically, both a candidate and the hiring company spend a considerable amount of time during the candidate selection process assessing the fit between the candidate and the requirements of the job. Today, an emphasis is also placed on the cultural fit of both parties which is probably more important in gauging the long-term success of a candidate than their actual performance.

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Topics: Executive Recruiting, Executive Interviewing, Executive Interviews, Cultural Fit, Culture Fit Assessment

running to a new job? or away from a current job?

Posted by Tom Berger on Apr 18, 2019 6:16:34 AM

When one starts the job search process, it is easy for this activity to become the center stage in all their thinking.  Sleepless nights and playing the 'what-if' games are almost a certainty. This situation is especially true if the candidate is unemployed and relying on their severance or savings to pay the monthly bills which did not stop when the paychecks did.

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Topics: EMBA, Career Planning, Career Advancement, Opportunity Assessment, Career Opportunity Evaluation, Executive Career Success

Make it all about them, not you

Posted by Tom Berger on Mar 26, 2019 7:00:23 PM

Most resume preparation books and experts recommend that the resume begin with a summary of the candidate’s qualifications.  Unfortunately, that approach focuses on what the candidate wants to say instead of what they want the recipient to hear!  All of us have a natural tendency to think of ourselves first.  With this “standard” approach, the candidate is asking the interviewer to interpret the person’s qualifications to ensure that there is a match to the position that they are trying to fill. Sometimes the resume reviewer will make the proper interpretation, sometimes not. In any event, the candidate is asking the interviewer to do the work in translating a person’s summary to their company’s needs.

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Topics: Career Advancement, Resume Writing, Resume Tips

Meet Your Boss's Boss

Posted by Tom Berger on Feb 22, 2019 4:33:25 PM

There is an old corporate water cooler saying: “Your boss isn’t your boss; your boss’s boss is your boss.”

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Topics: EMBA, Career Planning, GeniusMesh, Executive Recruiting, Networking, Executive Interviewing, Career Advancement, Executive Interviews