The first benefit of being jobless is that it gives a person time to re-evaluate life. Where am I going in my career path? Is this where I want to be? How does this mesh with other areas of my life? In what areas do I need to create more balance? Take some quiet time to reflect on where you are now, and start to carve out a path that leads to your ideal life. Put in writing answers to these questions so you can look back on them in future and track how you are progressing towards your goals.

Another benefit is that being jobless forces you to reassess your job skills. Do you have skills and experience to do type of work you really want? If not, what will it take to get that level of skills and experience? What skills do you already posses that you'd like to build and improve upon? Once you have a list, get busy honing those skills to get where you want to be. There are many resources for additional training and support, something for every budget. It doesn't hurt to ask about sources of training available in your area. A call to your local Job Service office can put you on right track. And of course, read. At library, a bookstore or on Internet- there is a never-ending list of resources available in print. Somewhere there will be an information source to learn skills you need.

When you become a networking expert, you will understand importance of asking, “Who do you know?” and “Does that person know someone else who should be in my network?” Remember old adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

One of best ways to break into pharmaceuticals sales is to speak with a sales representative or district manager in industry. Building these relationships is important for a few reasons. First, it is a great way to get a referral. When an existing pharmaceutical sales rep refers someone to his district manager that can increase your exposure, which is great. Also, your existing pharma industry contacts may be able to give you more contact names, like hiring managers and Human Resource team. Third, your contacts might also have inside track on any plans to increase sales team or potential plans for opportunity within pharmaceutical industry.