GeniusMesh Blog

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.

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.

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.

Daniel, a 2013 EMBA graduate, had been searching for a new role for over 8 months after he lost his job in a reorganization. Daniel had previously worked as the Director of Mechanical Engineering at one of the largest companies in his small, midwestern city. He had lived in the area most of his life – his house and family were all rooted in the city he called home. Finding new opportunities in the area for someone with his technical expertise, in his industry, was difficult (to say the least).

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.

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