Medical Sales Career - Are You Too Late?

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Job Searching in the 21st Century
Searching for a job isn’t as difficult as it used to be. With the Internet at your disposable 24X7, the searching process has become much easier. Now you can locate jobs that interested you and send your resume via Internet from the comforts of your living room.
Does Your Resume Tell Your Story?
I have reviewed more than 100,000 resumes during my 30 plus years in sales recruiting. There have been many books and online articles produced over the past 10 years about how to write the perfect resume and it still amazes me how many poor and ineffective resumes are being produced.
Apply only to the jobs you are qualified for
This seems like another no-brainer. However, since there are fewer jobs available, a sense of desperation may creep in and you might find yourself applying for jobs that are a real stretch. As a rule of thumb, if you cannot check off 75% of the requirements listed for the job (including all mandatory requirements), then you should probably pass on applying for that particular position- no matter how smart, enthusiastic or willing to learn you may be.
Keep your current job as long as you can
As outrageous as it may seem, I have spoken to people who have left their jobs to undertake a full-time job search. In this economy, this is a bad choice, even if you think your present company is contemplating layoffs, working you into the ground, or you are otherwise dissatisfied. To Type A hiring managers (who seem to multi-task even in their sleep), it is incomprehensible that someone would be unable to do their job and conduct a job search at the same time. Moreover, in this economic climate, it is seen as evidence of poor decision-making.

Written by Administrator

Monday, 11 January 2010 18:57

This is one of those
tricky and touchy subjects
that no one likes to discuss
AGE - EXPERIENCE - AGE

Although we would like to believe that “the age factor” should have nothing to do with whether you get consideration most companies care.

If you’re making a 180 degree career change (example) spent 14 years in Industrial Widget Sales and you want to transfer those skills to Medical Sales it’s probably not going to happen unless the hiring manager is your brother-in-law.

It has been my experience that the “un-written rule” is generally mid 30’s OR 10

-12 years removed from college as a benchmark no matter what your track record or field.

It’s not that anyone feels you can’t learn or do the job it’s simply a matter of FIT. Most hiring managers feel the person that fits better regarding money being offered, different sales habits and style, overall chemistry with the sales team is dependent on age.
Even though you bring great sales experience, desire and determination there are younger jobseekers that possess what’s necessary. The rule is that if a company (in their mind) is going to train their new hire then previous experience to determine as to whether you can get the job done is based on your performance over the past 2-3 years.

Now there’s always the exception to the rule - over my 30 years in recruiting I have seen people outside the norm get hired, usually a personal referral, great chemistry or simply in the
right place - right time.

I always advise people that it can happen but have plan B working also. If you’re reading this and it applies my suggestion is to broaden your search base and you just never know what can happen.

If you can share any stories or experiences on
this subject please use the comment area.

Last Updated on Monday, 11 January 2010 19:53