With the downturn in jobs, many of us are turning to employment agencies, help want ads, and the internet to find jobs.  While these sources are definitely an important part of the job hunt, another source of hope is the people around you.  Difficult as it may be, it is important to reach out to others during this time.

Making contact with at least ten different people each day will help you land your next job.  These contacts don’t have to be hiring managers or human resource directors.  By letting your pastor, friends and acquaintances know what type of job you are seeking, you will increase your chances of getting it.    Don’t be afraid to ask your buddy to give your resume to their boss or HR department.  Companies love inside referrals.

You have heard the term “job hopper” used for many years.  It is a name given to people who switch jobs often.  But who is considered a job hopper in today’s world and has the term changed recently due to the economy and recent job losses.

Over the past ten years recruiters typically use a general rule of thumb when considering job stability.  The rule of thumb is no more than three jobs in ten years.  If you have had more than three jobs in ten years then additional information is necessary to find out the reasoning behind the job changes.

With the recent lay-offs experienced in every industry, this rule of thumb is not as crucial as it has been in the past.  However, it is still important for jobseekers to be able to provide documentation to potential employers if it is requested.  If you are being downsized, remember to ask your employer for a letter explaining that this was not due to poor performance.

There you have it! These two areas are critical in finding your next job. A well written resume offers a potential employer a peek at your organizational abilities. Don’t lose out on potential opportunities by not highlighting accomplishments throughout your resume. Within a few seconds, the potential employer should be able to read quickly your top achievements.

The second critical area concerns your relationships. Companies today are seeking people with contacts within the industry. So wherever your contacts lie, utilize these relationships to make your next career move. Contacts with specialty physicians, purchasing or other hospital department managers can all become very important when you are interviewing for a new position. Leveraging information on “who you know” is critical in sales. Find a way to add this information to your resume. By doing so, you will increase your chances of getting an interview.

It’s tough out there in the job market! I was recently thinking about our old Christmas friend Rudolph who really does have a great employment victory to tell us about. You see, Rudolph at face value might not have been the best choice to lead a team of reindeer on such a critical Christmas mission. In fact, he was somewhat smaller than the rest of the herd, appeared a little clumsy and probably wasn’t the brightest reindeer around. But, without question, he was different. (continue reading…)

The medical and pharmaceutical sales industry is constantly changing.  As an executive search firm specializing in medical and pharmaceutical sales, we have recently seen a shift in the type of candidate some of our clients are seeking.  Many pharmaceutical and medical device companies are moving to a more clinical sales approach.   To accomplish this, some companies have shifted from hiring those with business to business sales experience to hiring sales representatives who can not only sell; but may also be able to provide value to the client through their clinical knowledge.  

Medical products such as laboratory equipment, radiological or surgical products can often involve hands-on demonstration of the equipment.  Because of this, adding an employee with clinical skills makes sense. Adding a sales representative with clinical background helps to establish product credibility and customer trust.    (continue reading…)