How to start your search (one in a series)

Hello Jobseekers (cause if you're not looking, you probably wouldn't have stumbled upon this website). I get many (MANY) questions about how to search for that elusive job, regardless of experience. I'm going to give tips (based on your level of experience in the industry or in sales). Understand that these are MY tips and not necessarily the best route for everyone. Once again, my advice is don't just listen (read) my tips. Do the research! Hell, this is your life here. You're selling the most important product of all: YOU. So, this is a starting point, but by no means the only things your should be doing to find your next job. OK, here we go:

For the person with some pharma experience interested in making a switch:

1. Update your resume and have some (trusted) friends look it over. Do a websearch to find some examples so you're not simply updating the resume you had in college. You're not in college anymore and it should be a different type of resume. The update also depends on your success in the business. The more successful, the easier it might be. But, even without lots of success, there are things you can do to make it look good. Figure it out.

2. Go to sites like medzilla.com, monster.com and indeed.com to set up search agents to help you find those jobs. You can also set up search agents at most of the major corporate web sites. Oh, and apply for the jobs you are interested in...

3. If you have some experience, I'd recommend getting your resume into the hands of recruiters. You can either find them through this site or others but recruiters seem to have more luck getting you interviews (than just submitting a resume yourself). I'd also recommend the resume blasts (like the one linked from this site). They may cost 30-50 bucks, but the people I know who've used them have received 10-20 phone calls in the first week and many emails, too. The cost is minimal if your resume gets to a recruiter who can help get you an interview. Even if you don't use the blast service, you should still use recruiters - they ONLY make money if you get hired...so they're quite motivated.

4. Network with other reps you already know. Also, if there's a company you are interested in working for, talk to your doctors to find a rep from that company and contact them directly. They might be helpful (especially if they get a referral fee for getting you hired).

5. Don't tell anyone you are looking for another job. And concentrate on maintaining your numbers/call average/attitude. You don't need the drama that comes from the gossip involved with not being discreet.

6. Put together a basic brag book - and then add a cover page, updated resume, mission statement, business plan (all one page each except the resume, which can be 2) that is specific to the company/interview you have. Make a few extra copies, bind them and bring them to the interview. This is easy once you have the first one done. This is your detail book to sell you. Very important to have good content, not just a fancy book.

7. Practice coming up with 4-6 stories to use to answer the basic questions you'll get. Be sure to stick to the STAR system so you'll have concise answers that prove your point (and worth) to the interviewer.

8. Be professional with attire, attitude, etc.

9. Close for the next interview or for the job.

I think that's the basic start, though I'm certain I've forgotten something. Let me know what I missed and I'll add it in...

Good Luck!

nicotine jones (yeah, like that's my real name)