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During a typical week I will get quite a few calls from folks asking about new opportunities in pharmaceutical companies, and some will want advice on resume preparation as well as scenarios at their current employer, etc.

My advice is consistent…. Make sure you are being proactive and improving your skills with initiative and professional persistence to perform at your best, each and every day.

Competition for talent is fierce. Improvement and self evaluation are necessary. If you find your career is lacking challenge or the glass ceiling is getting thicker, perhaps the time is right to explore new opportunities.

I was recently talking to friend of mine who is a senior level executive at one of our pharma clients and I found her advice to be quite valuable: “I am more interested in what a candidate tells me about vision and initiative for the future and what they see ahead for the company, than spending a majority of time reviewing what he/she has done in the past….”

Wow! She is right! A resume with a track record and experience is great, but companies want to hear about how a person can make a difference and add value to a company. The result: You’re hired!

So, if you are in the ditch, close to the ditch, or the mud is flying up on your new car – take an inventory of where you are, what you’re doing, and recommit, get focused, or start exploring for new opportunities because the positions are out there and companies can’t wait to hire you – if the glove fits…you’ve got the job!!

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Many of us have been in new positions and some will even start a new job this month, but how comfortable are you during that first day/first week in your new office environment?

Over the years, we have consistently heard from folks who have started their new positions with various clients and here are some valuable tips they have shared:

  1. Wear a suit or outfit you feel the most comfortable with… that gives you that spark of physical and professional confidence! If you look good, you’ll feel good about yourself and will become less stressed that first day..
  2. Smile! Yes, smile even though you may feel nervous or anxious! When you greet a co-worker, supervisor, or administrative assistant, those first impressions count and last!
  3. Memorize names and person’s faces. For some, this exercise can be very difficult in the beginning, but the results are very impressive. A very powerful and respectful communication skill is using a person’s (first) name upon getting to know them. Reaching out to co-workers reassures them that you value their experience and expertise.

 

These tips may side with basic common sense during a first day on the job, but nothing is surprising or out of the ordinary in these times….make your first day and every new day count!

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The Interview! (Phone and/or In-House)… Probably the single most important part of establishing your specific VALUE for the company you are pursuing.

But what separates one candidate from the next? PREPARATION, no doubt about it. You do the research, define your strengths, be familiar with your specific resume and the chances are you will score points in the interview, big time.

At PharmaOne Search, we specifically encourage all candidates to prepare, prepare, prepare!! Know and anticipate what questions will be asked of you. Take a look at these commonly asked interview questions, and feel comfortable with your answers..

Top 15 Interview Questions to Prepare Answers For:

  1. Why are you here interviewing with us today?
  2. What is there about this opportunity that most excites you?
  3. What will make you enjoy coming to work here everyday?
  4. How do you make decisions?
  5. What do you think are the most important attributes of successful people? How do you rate yourself in those areas? Why?
  6. What’s one thing you would like to do better? What’s your plan for improving it?
  7. If I were to ask your current supervisor to tell me one thing you do that drives him/her crazy what would he/she tell me?
  8. What’s the one accomplishment you are most proud of over the past year? Why?
  9. If you had only two words to describe yourself, what would they be?
  10. When you have failed at a particular time, describe what happened and what you learned from it?
  11. How do you take advantage of your strengths? How do you compensate for you weaknesses?
  12. What would you do if you made and important business decision and co-worker challenged it?
  13. Describe a crisis you faced at work. What was your role? How did you resolve it?
  14. What is your greatest fear and/or concern about this opportunity?
  15. Is there any question I haven’t asked you that I should?

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Again, thanks for your continued interest in our monthly newsletter. We are continuing to work hard to keep it useful and informative. This month its short and sweet…

If you would like to be included in special email notices in the future, targeted to your position in the pharma industry, you may place yourself into one of several Interest Groups. This enables us to send an email to, let’s say — all our contacts in Sales Analysis. We can then make you aware of “Sales Analysis” news and opportunities as they arise…

To add yourself to an Interest Group, go to the bottom of this newsletter and Click Here to Change Your Subscription. Then, click on Change Preferences. Click the box for the interest group that best relates to your position and background. Confirm your email address by typing it into the required block and SUBMIT.

February Update – Selected Position Openings

Now that the new year in in full throttle mode, below is a partial list of positions (all with pharma companies) we are currently working on. Keep in mind, the 1st Qtr. of any calendar year is probably the most active in terms of clients wanting to solidify headcount and aggressively continue their interviewing:

* Supervisor, Professional & Sales Education

* Associate Director, Market Research (2)

* Director, Market Research

* Sr. Manager/Manager, Market Research

* Sr. Market Research Analyst

* Market Research Analyst (3)

* Product Director, New Products

* Senior Product Manager

* Sales Analyst

* Forecast Manager

* Forecast Analyst

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Thanks for your continued interest in our monthly newsletter! We’ll work hard to keep it useful, yet concise with tips to enhance your career.

Career Tip

Interviewing for any opportunity is being prepared. No joke. You would be surprised how often we encounter a client who is disappointed the candidate did not prepare properly. And likewise, the candidate complains he/she didn’t get the job offer. Whether a phone interview or face-to-face, know your game plan: Here are some “behind the scenes” hints that we found effective:

1. Know the company and key brands, both current products and the therapeutic category you are looking into. Pipeline education is helpful to know as well.

2. Compare your resume to the job description and prepare a one-page addendum that lists in bullet points your skills relative to the position requirements. Have available to use as reference and/or a follow up tool after the interview.

3. Ask you recruiter for help. Pick his/her brain about any issues, hot buttons, background on the interviewers, etc.

4. Smile, yes smile and be a regular person. So many companies want to see the “human side” of people. You can be professional and serious and still score points with a fresh, interpersonal, and relational side of yourself.

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Here at PharmaOne Search, we would like to periodically share with you some valuable information to keep you current on our new opportunities, and to bring you some tips that may be of benefit to your career.

Career Tip

Career track in any company is important. When you find yourself stagnated with extra work and a supervisor that postpones discussions for the next steps in your career, it may be time to evaluate other opportunities. Ask yourself these questions:

* Why are you considering a move?

* What is your best skill set(s) and how do you use it effectively?

* What does the client company need to offer, besides compensation, to make the position attractive for you?

 

Update Your Resume

Update your resume now! Sept./Oct. is the 2nd busiest timeframe in recruiting by clients needing to locate top level talent. We invite you to email us your resume, confidentially, and we’ll update your information in our talent database.

Did you know that Jan./Feb./Mar. are THE busiest months of the year for recruiting? Why? Because calendar year headcounts are approved and candidates receive their annual bonus checks during this time. When checks are “in hand,” people seriously start investigating making a change.