|
|
|
CAN'T WRITE A SPEECH OR PRESENTATION? GET SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR YOU
When it comes to writing and delivering a speech, many
individuals become increasingly intimidated. This feeling of
dread is only worsened if the presentation hosts higher ranking
company officials that can potential make or break your...
Chasm of Change---Restructuring --- The Goliath of Change
Copyright 2005 Rick Johnson
Restructuring --- The Goliath of Change
Richard L. Daft one of the countrys recognized academic leadership experts raises the question, What kind of people can lead an organization through major change? A...
How To Write A Killer Sales Letter
I sit down and look at my notebook. Then, I put myself into the zone. Thats how I start to write web copy that sells. Whether you agree with me or not, your web copy will determine whether your products going to sell online or not. ...
Overcoming Work Addiction
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too much work? Is work so important to you that you'll sacrifice just about anything in your life to get the job done? Even if it's at the expense of your health and your relationships?
If you find...
RSS Ego Searches
Ego searches are free and simple searches designed
to monitor blogs and news portals for mentions of
your company, product, competitors or other specific
keywords. Conducting ego searches not only allows
you to stay informed, but also...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Job-Search Strategies: Real Estate to Pharmaceutical Sales (Career Change)
One of the largest challenges facing career changes is going from one industry to the next. Working with a recent clients, we came to the conclusion that with some ingenuity and persistence, even large obstacles are nothing more than "paper walls" when approached at them from a different angle.
(1) How many interviews did you attend? Provide an overview of the timeline between interviews; position title of who conducted each interview; and, what progressed after each meeting?
I initially became aware of the opening and applied immediately by submitting a resume and cover letter. I received a phone call from a recruiter with the company almost a week later. She wanted to do a pre-screening over the phone and then if she felt I was qualified enough or liked my answers she would set up an interview with the district manager (DM) that following Tuesday. Her big questions were, "Why do you want to get into Pharmaceutical Sales?" and "Why this particular company?" She was pleased with my questions and set up the interview for a week later.
My first interview with the DM lasted an hour and he asked basic questions nothing too overwhelming again, "Why Pharmaceuticals and Why this company?" He wanted to get an understanding of what I currently do and how I thought some of those skills would transition into the industry. I made an immediate connection with him; we knew some of the same people. I then received a phone call that same day, several hours later, from the same recruiter to schedule a second interview. I was VERY shocked when I heard back the same day I had interviewed, it was something I was not used to at all.
The DM again held the second interview, I was told to have my brag book and that the interview would last 1.5 hours and it would be a situational interview. For example, "Tell me a time when such and such happened," "What did you do," and "What was the outcome." I was told at the first interview there were about 15-20 people being interviewed, and at the second interview, he had already cut it down to 4. I was told by the DM after the second interview he was going to narrow it down to 2 candidates. Again, I was called later the same day I interviewed. This time I was called by the DM, he informed me I had been selected to be one of the two candidates remaining.
The next morning, the DM asked me if I could do a ride along with another rep that following day 2 hours away. Of course I agreed. I was also asked by him to take an on-line profiling test.
After the ride along I was told by the DM he would call me at the beginning of the following week. After not hearing from him, I decided to follow up with him the next afternoon. After hearing back from him a couple hours after my call, he asked if I could be available to meet the regional manager, and if I could have a 1 to 1.5-page autobiography prepared.
The interview with the RM (DM was also there) lasted over 2 hours and was pretty intense. He repeated some of the questions the DM had asked but also asked a lot of questions about the ride along and what I learned and found challenging. He also questioned my science grades in college because they were primarily Bs and even more Cs. I just stayed positive throughout the interview and reminded him of all my strengths. After the interview I was told I would be called again at the beginning of the week. The same day of the third interview, I was called by corporate to schedule a drug test. I was then called by the DM and offered the job.
(2) Was there something specific that helped you compete aggressively in this highly sought after industry?
First off, having my resume professionally written. I learned quickly the reason why so many people dont have any luck with finding jobs on-line is because they dont know the "tricks." I am completely convinced that you may be the best person for a particular job but never in a million years get the chance to get face to face with someone because your resume doesnt contain the keywords
that recruiters and employers are looking for. I found that my resume was looked at in a 3-month period over 100 times AFTER I had it professionally written.
I also read Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales, researched on the internet, and posted my resume on every site I could think of. I also called and told everyone I knew that I was trying to get into Pharmaceutical Sales.
Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales
Examines several key areas relevant to job seekers with their sights set on the pharmaceutical industry. The author asked key pharmaceutical experts on what exactly they're looking for in candidates. Find out what they said. [...get your copy today at http://www.resumebycprw.com/resume_pharm_book.htm]
I also differentiated myself in interviews by doing creative presentations, things I thought others wouldnt do. I tried to "think outside the box," something managers really like in reps.
One other big thing was locating a rep in my area. I quickly got the reps phone number, called her, asked a lot of questions about the job, and what I could expect in the interviewing process. Before I knew it, I had another person supporting me through the process, as well as giving me a good recommendation to the DM. I had never even met this person! I guess what Im trying to say is, try to find out as much as you can about the interviewer, interview them as well. You will be surprised as to what youll learn about them. Also, dont forget to tell everyone you know who you are interviewing with or who you would like to interview with, chances are they know someone in the company!
(3) What part of the process did you find particularly difficult?
The waiting, although I got called back pretty quickly. Also, never knowing what sort of assignment would be thrown at me. Another difficult aspect was sitting in an interview for as long as two hours. It was draining, and many times, I had to think quickly.
(4) How much time passed from the beginning of your job search until accepting your new position as pharmaceutical sales rep?
I accepted the position approximately 13 weeks after beginning my job-search. I did interview with three other companies as well; two with pharmaceutical companies and the other was a skin care company.
(5) What advice would you offer to someone targeting this type of position?
Be prepared! Research the company, know about the industry in general: what attracts you to it, etc. Get an idea of what sort of questions they will ask you. I really studied the questions in Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales. Also, try and set yourself apart. Do something different, be creative. Stay positive, persistent, and try to really connect with the person interviewing you - remember they are just like you and I they have a family, hobbies etc. One last thing that I learned was they like to know you are money motivated, and they like to know you are a competitive person who strives to be the best!
Oh, and I almost forgot something very important to share. Dont assume that if you dont have prior experience in pharmaceuticals or a medical background that you wont get the job. The other candidate that I was competing against currently sells medical devises and they chose me having no prior experience!
Special thanks to S. Plamper for her above honesty and candor. Ms. Plamper is a perfect example that when you set your sights on a particular career challenge, you can accomplish anything. Although she was new to the pharmaceutical industry, she never reflected her entry level status. She promoted herself to pharmaceutical companies like a pro. She was a doll to work with, and I know her new employer is glad to have her. Great job!
Written by Teena Rose of Resume to Referral
Teena Rose is a certified and published resume writer and author of "20-Minute Cover Letter Fixer" and "Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales" (available at the Resume to Referral bookstore)
|
|
|
|
|
| Oral Presentation Advice |
| Your presentation should not replace your paper, but rather whet the ... Below I consider goals for academic interview talks and class presentations. ... |
| www.cs.wisc.edu |
|
| Presentation Skills |
| This site contains annotated links to resources concerned with presentation and communication skills. |
| lorien.ncl.ac.uk |
|
| Presentation Helper - Free PowerPoint templates, help, advice and ... |
| Resources on how to make effective presentations. Includes tips on PowerPoint and topic ideas. |
| www.presentationhelper.co.uk |
|
| Neurobehavioral Systems, Inc. |
| Neuroscience stimulus delivery software can be used for cognitive psychology, fMRI, erp and single unit research (Windows). |
| nbs.neuro-bs.com |
|
| Why tables for layout is stupid: problems defined, solutions offered |
| Why tables for layout is stupid:. problems defined, solutions offered. Tables existed in HTML for one reason: To display tabular data. ... |
| www.hotdesign.com |
|
| The Gettysburg Powerpoint Presentation |
| This presentation prepared with the help of Microsoft Powerpoint Autocontent Wizard. ... Permission is granted to use this presentation in any course or ... |
| norvig.com |
|
| Presentation Zen |
| I love the clear presentation of the ideas in the book and the fact that the ... In the context of presentations, moving info away can help you and the ... |
| www.presentationzen.com |
|
| Presentation Tips for Public Speaking |
| Better Public Speaking & Presentation - Ensure Your Words Are Always ... On the Job: Public Speaking Tips - Twelve Steps to Great Presentations by Elise ... |
| www.aresearchguide.com |
|
| Presentation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Presentation is the process of presenting the content of a topic to an ... You should plan to rehearse your presentation out loud at least four times. ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
|
| OSCON 2005 Keynote - Identity 2.0 |
| A barn-burner of a presentation. I loved this. - Cory Doctorow. I watched it twice, and greatly enjoyed it both times. - Jon Udell ... |
| www.identity20.com |
|
| Presentations - Effective Communication - Public Speaking |
| Tips and tools for creating and delivering presentations: text, techniques and technology. |
| www.presentations.com |
|
| Presentation Information Resources - Presentation Technology News ... |
| Presentation Information Resources - Comprehensive presenter's resource providing instant access to up-to-date information on technology and techniques for ... |
| 199.249.170.231 |
|
| Effective Presentations homepage |
| In addition, the skills needed to prepare an oral presentation can be used ... A spiffy presentation discussing Effective Teaching with Powerpoint from the ... |
| www.kumc.edu |
|
| Impress |
| Your presentations will stand out with 2D and 3D clip art, special effects, animation, ... Slide show Animation and Effects bring your presentation to life. ... |
| www.openoffice.org |
|
| PRESENTATIONPRO - experts for Microsoft PowerPoint |
| A series of products and services to help enhance PowerPoint presentations with templates and backgrounds. |
| www.presentationpro.com |
|
| Leadership - Presentation Skills |
| Presentation, PowerPoint, and Leadership. ... Presentations and reports are ways of communicating ideas and information to a group. But unlike a report, ... |
| www.skagit.com |
|
| Presentation: See what people are saying right now on Technorati |
| See all blog posts tagged with presentation on Technorati. |
| www.technorati.com |
|
| Secretary of State Addresses the U.N. Security Council |
| My friends, this has been a long and a detailed presentation. And I thank you for your patience. But there is one more subject that I would like to touch on ... |
| www.whitehouse.gov |
|
| Rubric |
| Organization, Audience cannot understand presentation because there is no sequence of information. Audience has difficulty following presentation because ... |
| www.ncsu.edu |
|
| Presentation Skills |
| Presentations are one of the first managerial skills which a junior engineer ... This article looks at the basics of Presentation Skills as they might apply ... |
| www.see.ed.ac.uk |
|
|