Posts Tagged ‘specialist’

Are you eligible? Having your documents ready for your job search.

July 7, 2011

Embarking on a search for a new job can be daunting however like all things in life it can go more smoothly with forward planning. This short article is aimed at ensuring you have the relevant factual information at hand. This is important as agencies (like20:20 Selection Ltd) and importantly employers do need to check your legal, employment and academic documentation. Hence if you have all this in order, then when it comes to you being made that perfect job offer the contract/job offer letter is likely to be with you more quickly.

 

The following checklist should help you with your preparation:

  • Passport & Visa (if applicable) – an employer can be fined for employing individuals who are not eligible to work in theUK
  • Driving Licence – you will need the paper and photo card parts. For field based positions you will need a validUKdriving licence with no more than 6 penalty points. It is important you make clear declarations about your driving history when asked as employers will check this with the DVLA.

If you have a nonUKlicence holder and need to convert your licence the following link will give you some guidance:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022562

  • A recent payslip. This will validated your current basic salary and your National Insurance number. If you are in receipt of other monthly benefits such as a car allowance this will also be verified on the payslip.
  • ABPI certificate – if you have sat and passed the examination you will need to produce your certificate if you are offered employment with a pharmaceutical company. If you have misplaced this, the following link may help

https://extranet.abpi.org.uk/web/abpi/exams.nsf/pages/duplicate_certificate_request

  • Highest education certificates (degree, nursing, A levels etc)
  • For nursing roles you will need your current NMC PIN number and date of expiry. Plus you will also be asked about the date of your last CRB check however your new employer will need to undertake a fresh check.
  • For sales positions you should also put together your ‘Brag File’ or portfolio of successes which should include Sales Data, other performance against KPIs, recent appraisal documents; in fact anything that you can use to sell you and differentiate you in the marketplace.

 

If you are not facing redundancy, timing your job search is also something to consider. For example,

  • We do come across people who may be tied in to car schemes. You are advised to carefully calculate the costs involved to you in walking away from your current agreement, as not all employers offer car opt-out schemes.
  • If you are going to jeopardise any bonus/incentive payments pay by leaving before a certain date.
  • If you have significant holiday commitments it is important you flag these. A job offer may be subject to you attending a training course on a specific date for a fixed time, however discussing these with your Recruitment Consultant early in the process may mean this can be negotiated. Also remember that holiday entitlement will be prorated depending at what stage of the leave year you commence work.

 

At 20:20Selection, we are here to help and guide our candidate along the process. Our specialist team can be contacted on 0845 026 2020 from08:30 – 18:00weekdays.

Exclusive to 20:20 Selection Ltd – Crucell Team expansion

August 24, 2010

In 2009, Crucell – the largest independent vaccines company in the world
– launched a dedicated Sales & Marketing function in the UK. Since the
establishment of its own dedicated sales team, Crucell has been able to focus
on expanding market share for its portfolio of travel and respiratory vaccines
in the UK. Recent changes to the reimbursement status of oral vaccines by the Department of Health mean that Crucell can now further expand this sales
team in England.
The expansion of the sales team is a reflection of the successful first year of
the UK Sales & Marketing function, and represents an excellent time to join
the team as they capitalise on their achievements to date. Crucell firmly believe that investing in their people is investing in the future, and is dedicated to developing employees’ competencies and promoting individual performance.
Brand new opportunities now exist for Territory and Regional Business
Managers to join the company throughout England and Wales.
These are senior sales roles where you will be responsible for the cash and
market share growth on your own territory. You will also play a major part
in developing Crucell’s reputation as a trusted partner in the provision of
vaccines to general practice. If you have previously sold vaccines, this may be an advantage: however, it is your attitude, drive, tenacity and enthusiasm that will be the key qualities you will need to succeed.
On offer to successful candidates will be a highly attractive basic salary,
company car or car allowance, excellent bonus potential, 25 days holiday,
pension & private healthcare. Crucell UK Ltd is a growing organisation with
full investment from their headquarters in Holland. This is a genuinely exciting opportunity for you to develop your career within a company that is dedicated to bringing meaningful innovation to global health.

Securing your next role – What NOT to do!

May 7, 2010

Landing a job is never easy, as the industry is now in a state of flux it is more competitive these days. There are fewer vacancies and more people chasing them than in more than a decade. But even now — more than ever — it’s still on you. Despite the fact that the job market is everything but easy right now… have you ever stopped to consider that the reason you’re still sitting there unemployed … might in fact be … you?

It’s a hard concept that most job seekers have trouble wrapping their heads around, but applicants frequently — inadvertently — raise red flags to recruiting managers that immediately scream, “Don’t employ me!” You might not be raising them on purpose, but there are ways to avoid them.

Not sure if you’re unknowingly blowing your chances at securing your dream position? Here are 10 red flags to be wary of during your next job hunt:

 

Red flag No. 1: Your CV is lacking any specific achievements that distinguish you from other Medical Representatives

When you’re crafting your CV, you should focus on highlighting relevant skills and accomplishments that are in line with the position for which you are applying. Highlighting your sales successes is key!

 

Red flag No. 2: You have long gaps between jobs on your CV

Even if your long departure from the work force is valid, extended lapses of unemployment might say to an employer, “Why weren’t you wanted by anyone?” Anytime you have more than a three-month gap of idleness on your CV, legitimate or otherwise, be prepared to explain yourself.

 

Red flag No. 3: You aren’t prepared for the interview

There are many ways to be unprepared for an interview: You haven’t researched the company, you haven’t researched the products & therapy area, you don’t have any questions prepared, etc. Plain and simple, do your homework before an interview. Explore the company online, prepare answers to Competency Based questions and have someone give you a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously.

 

Red flag No. 4: You didn’t provide any evidence of success

In today’s competitive market use of evidence/brag file can be the difference between progressing to the next stage and being told that there ‘where stronger people on the day.’  You need to prove how successful you have been (the more specific you can be the better) and differentiate yourself from other candidates.  Do not wait to be asked for your evidence, use it as a sales aid to illustrate your answers.  YOU are your product!

 

Red flag No. 5: You only have negative things to say about previous employment

If you feel aggrieved or down-beat about your current/prior employer, it could be very tempting to want to tell anyone who will listen how much of ‘bad time’ you have experienced– but a recruiting manager for a coveted job is not that person. There are hundreds of ways to turn negative things about an old job into positives. Thought your last job was a dead end? Spin it by saying, “I felt I had gone as far as I could go in that position. I’m looking for something with more opportunity for advancement.”

 

Red flag No. 6: You’ve held seven different jobs — in the past six years

Job hopping is a new trend in the working world. Workers are no longer staying in a job for 10-20 years; they stay for a couple and move on to the next one. While such a tactic can further your career, switching jobs too often will raise a prospective employer’s antenna. Too many jobs in too little time tells employers that either you can’t hold a job or you have no loyalty. Be prepared to explain your reasoning/rationale

 

Red flag No. 7: You give inconsistent answers in your interview

One tactic recruiting manager’s use during the recruitment process is to ask you the same question in several different ways. This is mostly to ensure that you’re genuine with your answers and not just telling an employer what he or she wants to hear. Keep your responses sincere throughout the entire process and you should be good to go.

 

Red flag No. 8: You lack flexibility

Most people know what they want in a job as far as benefits, basic salary, bonus, etc. If you’re unable to be flexible with some of your (unrealistic?) expectations, however, you’re going to have a difficult time finding a job. Have a bottom line in terms of what you want before you start the job hunting process and be willing to bend a bit if necessary.

 

Red flag No. 9: Your application was — in a word – lazy

Only doing the bare minimum of what’s asked of you won’t get very far — in life or in your job search. Applying to jobs with the same CV and the same cover letter (or none at all) is pure laziness. And, if you won’t spend extra time on yourself and your application materials, you probably won’t do it for a client either.

 

Red flag No. 10: You lack objective or ambition

If you have no long-term goals, then you really have no short-term goals either. Long-term goals may change, however you need to have some concept of where you want to go. Know where you want to go and how you plan to get there. Otherwise you seem unfocused and unmotivated, which are two big no-no’s for an applicant.

We are specialists in Medical & Pharmaceutical Recruitment, to secure your next role in this sector call us at 20:20 Selection Ltd on 0845 026 2020 and speak to one of our consultants or visit www.2020selection.co.uk to view our current Medical Sales vacancies

(Adapted from CareerBuilder)

Pharmaceutical Sales – A spark of interest

April 23, 2010

Having embarked on a career as a medical representative in 1987, I still reflect on the route that led me to the pharmaceutical industry.  Being a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative doesn’t often appear in the list of careers that we aspire to as teenagers hence it is invariably something people come across coincidently.  For me I spent five years in a hospital Biochemistry Dept completing post graduate studies and developing a strong clinical understanding of various diseases and illnesses.  It was here I met Sales Representatives selling laboratory diagnostics and equipment which sparked an interest in sales (I have to admit to being initially impressed by the suit, car and perceived flexibility of their job).  In fact what did appeal to me about a sales role was the inherent challenges working towards targets and ultimately being rewarded (bonus) and recognised for exceeding goals (working in the NHS could not fulfil that need) as well as selling products which genuinely make a difference to people’s lives.

Hence I started buying the New Scientist and Daily Telegraph; there was no internet job searching in those days! Quite quickly I secured two interviews for Laboratory Territory Manager positions before seeing an advertisement for Trainee Medical Representatives with a major pharmaceutical company.

Have to confess at that stage that pharmaceuticals was a bit of a mystery to me, but my Dad said that company was great (blue-chip), and there was a number to call to apply.  Two interviews later, including being flown to head office, I was offered a GP/Hospital Representative position.

Looking back I do wonder how I got that job as these days we expect entry level candidates to know so much more about the day to day practicalities of the role, the NHS and how the business works.  Clearly the company were looking for the basic ingredients which they could then train, develop and mould to reflect their values and culture in the eyes of their customers;  GP, Nurses, Pharmacists, Consultants, Registrars, SHO etc.

Over twenty years later in a different NHS landscape I still believe this to be true so what are some of those basics;

Personal Qualities – An inner drive, self-starter, the ability to work on your own initiative, enthusiasm, can-do attitude, tenacity, the ability to problem solve, good interpersonal skills, the willingness as well as aptitude to learn.

Clinical Foundation – This means an interest in medicine, the ability to learn and apply technical information.  You will need to communicate this knowledge to customers of all levels.  ‘A’ level standard Biology should help with ABPI. 

Business & Selling Skills – Understand you are there to increase sales; it is a sales job & not a promotional or educational position.  Have a consultative selling style, i.e. probe to understand the customer needs and agenda before offering solutions. Key Account Management & Networking Skills. Understanding local NHS politics, targets, agenda and how these may impact on your business.

Clearly a lot of clinical and business skills can be taught as long as you have the right positive attitude. In summary I would describe the role of a Medical Sales Representative, whether that be GP, GP/Hospital, Hospital or Generics as the opportunity to run your own local business.

I have enjoyed a varied, challenging and satisfying career in the pharmaceutical industry. I also know others, who embarked on their career at the same time, who have had similar experiences and taken their careers in to different functions in the industry including: Marketing, Senior Sales Management, Training, Consultancy as well as others who are now Senior Representatives such as Hospital Specialist Representative or Healthcare Development Manager.

If this sparks an interest in you fantastic!  To discuss your background and transferable skills then contact 20:20 Selection Ltd on 0845 026 2020 or visit www.2020selection.co.uk . We have current opportunities Nationwide with hot-spots in London, Kent, Sussex, Essex, Somerset, Wiltshire, East Anglia.

Nurse Advisor and similar roles within the Pharmaceutical Industry

July 20, 2009

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