Catch 22 - A classic problem of Experience
Catch 22 - a classic problem! Are you looking to move into healthcare sales? Or maybe diversify your already proven experience into a different medical field, maybe for optical, dental or medical device companies? You may even be a graduate who is looking to kick start your career in healthcare sales? Whoever you are, you may well encounter the same classic problem which is how to gain experience in a new industry if the industry insists on experienced candidates?
Zest Medical's Healthcare Sales Division realise the importance that a recruitment agency can make in minimising this "catch 22" and ensure that you are presented with realistic opportunities. Zest Medical pride themselves on the relationships that they have built up with their clients since their inception; many of which are on a preferred partner level. Acting as a true partner with a number of clients allows us to understand fully why certain skills are important for a role and even prioritise those to help secure a shortlist within niche healthcare sales market areas. This information will help us decide if the role itself has a realistic positive outcome for your application, you will have heard the expression that "people buy from people" and our experience shows that ultimately this is true. However it is industry experience that helps you get through doors initially which is often why there is always a heavy importance put on this pre-requisite. Getting a full understanding from our healthcare sales clients will enable us to distinguish what the opportunities are for taking someone from outside the healthcare sales industry.
Detailed preparation at interview stage may sound obvious but this is an area that will make the difference. To fill the void you must be able to demonstrate that your research has demonstrated suitability in your commercial experiences. You will need to fully understand a prospective employer's route to market, the channels that they work in and the problems that are associated with it. Go and visit a number of potential customers and spend time with an existing representative to gain insight, Graduates will spend a number of days 'shadowing' current medical sales representatives to report their findings and in some ways it should be no different for experienced sales representatives looking to get into the medical sectors. Above all else you must be able to analyse your own reasons for changing industry and why you could add value.
Zest Medical boast an excellent interview management programme, whereby we offer our experience to make sure that you are more than ready to face the interview panel. Elements of this programme include;
- Full job specification and company profile, backed up with standard interview questions that require structured responses.
- Highlighted potential areas of concern for clients - tackling what could be a foreseen objection head on has a positive outcome.
- Full interview information including contact details for candidate and client should the interview be taking place outside of formal office buildings. Map / Directions and suggested time of journey. Also contact details should delays occur.
- Presentation information and preparation.
- Mock interviews.
- Understanding of interview process, stages and timescales.
- Competition? Understanding who you are up against could hold the key for you.
- Out of Hours Interview preparation.
All Zest Medical's Healthcare Sales Consultants are trained to offer the most fitting interview advice and preparation, call us on 0114 238 0012 or contact us online. Further interview advice can be found here.
For Graduates eyes only!
You've just graduated and had a great summer, done the milk rounds and now it's the time to kick start your career. Well the good news is that increasingly our healthcare sales clients are looking for a university degree as a minimum requirement, for entry level up to senior appointments so all your hard work has not been in vain. But the main question is how do you stand out from the crowd? Firstly, take a look at your CV and consider the following: is it chronological and all dates in order with gaps accounted for? Have you listed all your achievements be they academic, work and personal? And is it presented in a coherent and readable manner? Now, a good looking, up to date achievement oriented CV wont get you the job but it will get you that interview.
Make sure that your shadow - day experience is up to date and a full report detailing your day plan, objections and observations is available to your prospective employer as they are likely to reject your application if not. Our experience shows that those CV's that have work experience, whether that is retail sales, temporary work or even voluntary work have a greater chance of employment. So what you thought was a just a part time job could be the difference in you getting a commercial edge on your job hunting competition.
What ultimately is going to help you stand out is early and pro-activity identifying target opportunities through networks or prospects today and making sure that your application is tailored to the role. Each job you apply to may be slightly different and so should your CV, avoid addressing it to sir / madam and make sure you have the correct spelling of the recruiting managers names and tell them why you are applying for their role. At interview, sell yourself and your achievements.
If you would like to discuss your career in more detail with one of our experienced and professional Healthcare Sales Recruitment Consultants please contact Zest Medical for an informal discussion specific to you and your career.
If you want more information on CV writing, click here
