Don't Forget to Say, "Thank You"Written by Matthew C. Keegan
One of biggest mistake for job seeks is to not follow up an important interview with a thank you note to people who interviewed them. Human Resources experts note that as few as 10% of interviewees take time to say, "thank you." Let's take a look as why writing a thank you is right thing to do and list some tips on how to write one.If you are a candidate for a particular position you need every edge possible to land a job. Writing a thank you note is important because: 1. It reinforces your interest in position. 2. A note shows your professionalism and suggests that you are organized, reliable, and efficient. It also underscores that you know how to deliver a personal touch. If your job is in customer service, companies will see note as especially advantageous. 3. It proves that you understand proper business protocol. For two candidates of equal strength and competency, thank you note may be tiebreaker people of hiring authority will use when selecting winning candidate. Content of Your Thank You Note Your thank you note should mention following: 1. Reiterate your interest in position. 2. Reiterate one key point of interview. For example, if you learned that company is launching a new product line following year and you will have an important part in its launch, you could state how you will further goals of company in helping to roll out new product line.
| | The Four P's of an Informational InterviewWritten by Ryan Stewart
A critical part of pharmaceutical sales job search is informational interview that you will conduct with your networking contacts. Obviously, these information-gathering meetings will provide you with valuable insight into things like day to day activities, company culture, professionalism, and overall mood of company (or at least rep you’re interviewing). On other hand, informational interview s give you a chance to practice skills that you’ve acquired that will later be used in your interview. The PharmBoard Four P’s should be able to help you get most out of your informational interview . 1. Plan - As old adage says, “If you fail to plan, you’ve planned to fail”. As with any phone call, networking meeting, or sales call, you should enter informational interview with a specific goal in mind. Here are a few things you might want to walk away from interview having gained. * Information about company’s future - You may want to ask what plans are for sales force in long term and short term. Does company plan on launching any new drugs in next few years? * Information about contact herself - Does this contact have ability to help me get a job in pharmaceutical sales - either directly or indirectly? What does this contact do on a daily basis? Does she enjoy her job? Does she find a sense of satisfaction in what she does? * The contact’s input on how you might go about your search - Does contact believe you need more sales experience? Does he believe you have right demeanor to succeed in job? Does he think you’re overqualified? 2. Prepare - In other words, research. You will be amazed at . . . * How much more willing a contact is to talk business with you if you already know a bit about business to begin with. Just as an auto racer would probably not be interested in answering question, “How do you start your car?”, a professional pharmaceutical rep isn’t typically impressed when a wannabe says, “So, do you have to wear a suit every day?” * How much more fruitful your informational interview will be if you are in tune with company and industry goings on. Reps like to educate. They like to share their thoughts on state of industry and their company. They like to speculate - even about your future as a drug rep. If you can initiate some of these discussions, you will win.
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