Finding out about an organization’s culture is an important step in the interview process.  The culture of an organization is made up of the values, beliefs and the attitudes of its members.  Written mission statements give the potential employee an idea of the values held by management.  However, a true view of an organization comes from direct communication with its members.

When interviewing, it is important for potential employees to spend a few minutes asking the hiring manager or interviewer what they like about the organization and why they decided to work there.  Most managers are open to this question and will gladly spend a few minutes telling you about the organization and what they feel are the major benefits for employees.

Keep in mind that the benefits of an organization can be more than vacations, 401k’s and salary.  Finding a company that values its employees and their input may be worth more to your career in the long run.

You have heard the term “job hopper” used for many years.  It is a name given to people who switch jobs often.  But who is considered a job hopper in today’s world and has the term changed recently due to the economy and recent job losses.

Over the past ten years recruiters typically use a general rule of thumb when considering job stability.  The rule of thumb is no more than three jobs in ten years.  If you have had more than three jobs in ten years then additional information is necessary to find out the reasoning behind the job changes.

With the recent lay-offs experienced in every industry, this rule of thumb is not as crucial as it has been in the past.  However, it is still important for jobseekers to be able to provide documentation to potential employers if it is requested.  If you are being downsized, remember to ask your employer for a letter explaining that this was not due to poor performance.

Question:  I’m currently in medical device sales and looking to make a career move.  I’m being asked to give existing client references to a potential, new employer.   I’ve spent the last 6 years building relationships with these clients. I’m hesitant to ask them to be a reference. What if I don’t get the job.   Should I give the client references?

Answer:  This can be a tricky situation to be in.  However, it is commonly asked when interviewing for a job in medical sales.   My advice is to tell the company you are interviewing with that you would be happy to supply this information when you are extended an offer.  If you plan to accept the offer this should work out.  Their offer would most likely be contingent upon these references.  Hope this helps.

There you have it! These two areas are critical in finding your next job. A well written resume offers a potential employer a peek at your organizational abilities. Don’t lose out on potential opportunities by not highlighting accomplishments throughout your resume. Within a few seconds, the potential employer should be able to read quickly your top achievements.

The second critical area concerns your relationships. Companies today are seeking people with contacts within the industry. So wherever your contacts lie, utilize these relationships to make your next career move. Contacts with specialty physicians, purchasing or other hospital department managers can all become very important when you are interviewing for a new position. Leveraging information on “who you know” is critical in sales. Find a way to add this information to your resume. By doing so, you will increase your chances of getting an interview.   For more information on resume development, interviewing or building your brand, visit our free career information site, Medical Sales Connection.

Before you submit your resume, cover letter or application to a prospective employer, make sure you have gone over it with a fine-toothed comb. Unfortunately, it’s fairly easy to make an error that could disqualify you from further consideration in today’s job market. That being said, read and review any potential submissions several times before submission so that you know their (oops, I mean there) are no errors. We recommend that you have a friend or family member also review your resume and any other mission-critical documentation prior to distribution. One of the key functions of a resume is to land you that all-important interview! Let’s not derail that mission with any unnecessary errors. (more…)