Interviewing tips.off subject but I am going through SAME process!!

[Guest guest]

REgarding interviewing tips...I feel like I am in the SAME shoes...

We will go on COBRA in Sept if I dont find a job with benefits. My

dad has bought his summer home in Ft.Myers ,Fla. I have decided to go

back on my nursing background but capitalize on my experience as a

proven sales consultant. I am trying to break in to the

Pharmaceutical Sales Industry. I was told over 15 yrs ago that I

should be a Pharm REp...back then I was what I thought a fat 150#

(those were the days now that I look back)

Today I am almost 100# more..........But I have to hold my head up

high and convince myself and then that I have MORE to offer than a

young college grad who truthfully had alot more on my mind that a

CAREER!!!!!LOL yes I sucessfully completed and excelled in nursing

school BUT I did not have the sales background nor the life

experiences that will make me a better sales person in this industry

than before. Hopefully they can look past the fat......if they can't

I do NOT want to work for them ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!

I bought a book that is chock full of advise specific to this field.

If you are already getting interviews...I say GREAT........

Specific to Interviewing advice...here are some of the ideas....

OK now for those of you not interested I dont mind if you pass on

this.

Different Types of Interviews

Screening

Initial or First Interview

Second Interview

Final Interview

Screening- conducted to reduce the number of candidates who were

determined to have acceptable resumes(I can give you tips on this too)

Designed to identify characteristics or profile of the desired

candidate.

It is BREIF-20-30 min and it can sometimes be done over the phone.

Usually a set of standard questions not always conducted by the

person who will have the most say about the hiring.

Sometimes a scoring system is used to determine who will advace to

the first interview stage.

Initial or First Interview- THis is the REAL thing.Time to pull out

allthe stops.You will be asked specific questions.You will be able to

ask you own questions,Importantly you will want to volunteer as much

information about yourself as you can.

Second Interview-

If you are asked back for this you are a SERIOUS candidate---one of

the few in the running ...usually only 2 0r 3. The questions will be

more specific. There may be additional people involved.Such as the

Regional Manager

Final Interview

Sometimes a third interview is necessary to answer a few remaining

questions or to have someone else in the company meet you. Often this

is just a formality or omitted altogether.

Prepare your self for these interviews by being PREPARED by

networking and researching the company and their products and the

competition. Be knowledgeable about expectations so you are not taken

off guard. You should have a knowledge about salaries and work day

etc.I f you need more help here e mail me and I will try to tailor

this information to your needs.

An excellant strategy is to tape record potential questions and your

responses and re record it until you are happy . Videotaping is even

better.Loik and sound confident. This will give you a profound

advantage over other candidates.

Sometimes the interviewer is not as prepared for the process as you

are. If this is the case,volunteer the answers you have prepared

for.Weave in your strong points and accomplishments throughout the

interview. Your confidence will show aand your skills and preparation

will be rewarded.

The interviewer will be looking for INITIATIVE. Show the strategy you

used to network,research and prepare yourself. This will demonstrate

initiative and the determination to scussed. make the conclusion for

the interviewer that you will apply the same skills and abilities

that you brought to the interview process into your new career.

Before leaving the interview,be certain to obtain the interviewers'

business card. You will need it for completing your follow up

correspondence.

DO NOT inthe interview process ask about compensation or benifits.

GET the OFFER first!!!!!!

Common questions

* Why do you want a career in_______________?

Fundamental question,be prepared to answer without hesitation.

This is a two part question that deserves 2 answers.

Why you want to do the particular job(IE sell)

Why you want to be a part of that industry(Ie mortgage loans,etc)

State for example that you want and like to (sell,,,make this

specific to the type of job) and that you are sucessful at doing so.

You possess the essential qualites of high energy

level,motivation,conidence,dedication,creativity,and organizational

skills. Provide specific examples of situations that demonstrate one

or more of thes qualities.

Next they type of industry........(XYZ) appeals to you because of its

challange and reward. Teh challange lies in the(technical environment

for example ,professional customer audience(or

whatever your market is...everyone has a a " market " no matter what the

job by the way),and Stiff competition(loan officers definitely have

that) THis time related it to something you thing you will do in yur

new position as a (loan officer/closer,,,etc)

Tip:

This is the time to use examples from your networking and real life

situations you have had in front of customeers. Use your answers to

showcase your industry explorattion.

WHY DO YO BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL FIND(xyz) AS A REWARDING CAREER?

You know from your extensive research that you will of the job and

the company that you will find this profession challanging. Answers

such as " I have a friend that likes it " is NOT sufficient.

YOu may include that you feel responsible for your own destiny. Yo ae

aggressive. Yu work hard. You will succeed on your own merit.In clude

an example from a precious business sucess.

You may also include your knowledge or career advancement

opportunities.

Communicate your excitement abou the possibilities for personal and

professional growth. Include that you are willing to dedicate the

time adn effort to learn the business from the (what ever position

you are applying for)

WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WILL EXCELL AS(xyz)

Similiar to above question,but by asking it the interviewer is

seeking MORE information. You should answer that you know what this

position requires and you have those requirements. Give some specific

qualities...ie indidvidual creativity,excellant time management

skills,excellent business acumen.

Aslo be sure to include the fact that you will enjoy it and it will e

fun for you. If you are doing something that you truely enjoy you

will naturally do it better.

HOW LONG WILL YOU BE( A MORTGAGE ORIGINARO,,,ETC)

Be sure that you relate to the interveiwer that as long as you feel

challanged and rewarded by the position that you feel your time is

umconstrained. IF career advancement is one of your goals,communicate

that you desire to learn the industry " from the (entry level) postion

up " . YOu plan to use this opporunity to develop yur strengths and

assess your opportunities. Then you will realisticall evaluate you

career goals at that time.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE CAREERS?

The question is looking for conviction about what you want to do.

thaink about what attracted you to the(industry you are applying for)

Prepare an honest answer and convery your excitement.

Whatever the REASON......deliver it with conviction.ie

You want to be a poart of........(bla bla bla) that will improve

peoples lifes...ie helping them buy a home, reduce debt.

You want to offer solutions to real-lie problems that are faces by

(homeowners or those wanting homes,business loans etc)

Maybe your answer will be less idealistic....such as.....You may be

lookng for a mix of business and(what ever the area the job is in)

Youi may desire professional,consultive relationships with your

customer where you are the expert.

WHAT EXPERIENCES DO YOU HAVE THAT WOULD LEND ITSELF TO(bla bla bla)

HOW DOES YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR A CAREER IN(BLAH BLA )

WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR XYZ?

The interviewer wants to know if you have done your " homework " What

are some unique characteristics of this company?Large,camll,medium

sized? What is the procudct or area you like?ARe you exicted about

new products that are soon to be availabe? Do you know anyone that

works for the company? State that you are impressed with the

individuals yu have met through networking and that you would have

and excelant working chemistry with the team.

WHAT QUALIFIES YOU TO BE A (lOAN ORIGINATOR/CLOSER)?

State education,interest,research,network,understanding of position

and industry and most importantly you WANT TO DO THIS JOB.,YOU are

QUALIFIED. You have devoted countless hours of time and energy

towards obtaining your goal which is employment in the industry. You

plan to be well versed in the product knowledge,selling skills and

territory organization. You WANT to excel in this industry.

ARE YOU CURRENTLY INERVIEWING WITH OTHER COMPANIES AT THIS TIME?

If this is your first interview say so. Be honest. State that your

goal is to gain successful employment in a dyanamic(whatever kind of

company) and that you will persist until you accomplish your goal.

Describe yur networking strategy,include that you are or will be

interviwint with prospective companies as yu push to uncover

opportunities.

Include companies by name and address and names of individuals that

yu have met or interviewed with and a major product or two made or

(services available) by the other companies.

TIP-

90% of candidated interviewing for a job can not state the current

products being offered/promoted by the firm they are interviewing

with,much less the people and the products of other companies. Think

of the advantage you will create for yourself with this prospective

employer by being versed on the multiple companies in the industry.

WHAT ARE YOU GREATEST STRENGTHS?

Make sure you answer this quesiont. YOur strengths should be

qualities that are in demand by the company(You want to fit the

profile of the canidate)

Examples-

Self motivated and self discplined

Creative

Coinfident

Flexible

expand on these

WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES/IN WHAT AREAS WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPROVE?

Design your answer so that ultimately your weakness is a strength.

Your interviewer will probably know what you are doing,but the fact

that you have done the -preparation to handle this difficult question

will gain their respect.

They are looking for your confidence under pressure. Poor anwers are

ones that shit the weakness to another person,such as a previous

manager,coworkers or company policy. Be careful NOt to interject

blame or negative comments about past employers and others.

Examples of good answers:

Sometimed I have trouble compiling my paperwork in an enthusiastic

manner.I know that timeliness of reporting has great importance to my

managers and company,so I make sure I am alwasy prompt with it's

delivery/

Sometimes I have difficulty when other indivduals do not display

a positive attitue towards new ideas. So I make it a poin tot stay

positive hoping it will influence some ot the other memebers of the

organization or team.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?

From your researchyou know that there are many opportunities for a

successful(XYZ loan closer etc)

Reiterate that learning the(XYZ position) and becoming a proven

performer within yur organization is your primary goal for at least

the next 3 yr. AFter learning the business from this level you will

direct your goals to where you can grow the most professionally and

contribute to the corporation's goals.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR CURRENT BOSS?

This is not the time to voice any negatives. Whether you get along or

not,state that you have been managed effectively,provide guidance and

growth by which you have met your position's objectives. You should

avoid taking about personalites and philosophies.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?

Never sit and complain . State that the position has provided you

with the ability to gain knowledge and grow professionally,but you

desire a personal and professional challange. Talk less about your

current positona dn more abut your decision to be(XYX...loar

origintor ,etc) In other words you are moving TOWARD......(blah blan)

not AWAY form another situation that you do not like)

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THAT SHOWS INITIATIVEIN YOUR PRESENT POSITION?

Use an example. Also describe the detalis fot the current job search

will provide and excellant response.

WHAT ARE YOUR IMMEDIATE GOALS?

Immediate goals are professional and personal. Express that you

number one professional priority is to acheive a career with( a loan

company etc) and begin contributing as a successful

(representative/loan officer.....etc) Ad personal gaols ,such as

physical exercise,hobbies,family ,if you wouldlike,to tound out this

response.

WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTS /HOBBIES

Choose activities that show

competition.,determination,motivation ,creativity or team planning.

DESCRIBE A PROBLEM YOU ENCOUNTERED IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION

The interviewer is really looking for the solution yur created.

Desribe a problem AND a solution.

Example

A probel inmy current positon was that we were unable to meet some of

the deadlines of our department. I overcame this by placing alarge

calendar inthe break room wiht our deadlines aand marked in red. It

was a clear reminder to other office members,which in turn improved

hitting our deadlines.

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOU LARGEST DISSAPOINTMENTS?

Descrive a situation where you experienced dissappontiment and were

aboe to learn and develop from it,thus turning it into a positive

experience

Example: AS I began my job searc in the (XYZ industry) it ws taking

too long to get my first interview. Since then I have changedmy

approach and become more aggressive and turning up opportunities. aS

ai result,I have become much more successful. I feel most

disappointments can teach us something useful for the future.

HOW DO YU PREPARE YOUR REPORTS OF PARERWORK IN YOU CURRENT POSITION

eXAMPLE " I prepare my reports ot communication relevant information

about my business. Not only for my mangaer and for my company ,bu t

for my self, I find they are more useful when I wirte them as soon as

I complete( a sales call etc). I make sure that my reporst are

prompt,organized ,detailed ,yet concise>

HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH A DIFFICULT PERSON AT WORK?HOW DID YOU

HANDLE THIS?

I f you have not...say so.......if you have describe a situation in

which though you did not agree with an individual ,yu ere able to wrk

through the project or task and complete the project. It is more

important to cooperate with individuals so that work atmosphere

remains productive.

DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE TREATED AND COMPENSATED FAIRLY AT YOUR PRESENT

POSITION?

NEVER complain about your present position,boss,company,duties etc

EVER!!! Simply say " yes " and stop.

WHAT IS YOUR LARGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT in your PRESENT POSITION?

If you have received awards or commendations ,mention them. Bring any

documentation of any recognitioin that you have been awared and show

it to the interviewer.Describe a work situation that you resolved

with favorable results,or a creative solution You used with a

difficult customer. USE this opportunity to expand ot other jobs or

to extracurricular or community accomplishments ,as well.

Use your answers to lead the interviewer to other areas yu would like

to present about yourself.If you rely on the interviewer to ask the

question it may not be asked and you will lose an opportunity to say

something important about your successes.

WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR PRESENT POSITION

YOu may want to choose some minor andmenial aspect of yu job.It is a

good bet to pic something that deters or distracts from the business

at hand.Office shatter is a good one,wainting on people who are

late,being stuck in traffic. Be sure to inclued what you would do t9o

deal with the problem.Paperwork is always a good thing to say you

dislike.Just be sure to include that because you dislike it ,you are

sure to complete it in a timely and accurate way. Conclude by saying

you have been satisfied with your present position,but you desire to

accelerate your growth in(XYZ field)

DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE BEEN EVALUATED FAIRLY?

Again NEVER complain. The interviewer is looking for someone unhappy

in a position regardless of who is at fault. A " yes " is the answer

and move on.

GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF YOUR BEST SALES?

GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF A SALE(BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY) YOU MISSED AND HWO

YOU COULD HAVE HANDLED IT DIFFERENTLY.

Convey you excitement over challenging siituations,customers and the

thrill of overcoming.

HO DO YOU GO ABOUT(SELLING YOUR PRODUCT,,,,ETC)

Sescrive you sales cycle(marketing etc) and approach to the customer.

Do you initially interface with the client by phone,direct

mail,advertiseing. Be confident and differentiate yourself form you

competition.

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AND YOU CURRENT MANAGER DISAGREE ON?

State that you and your manager have raley disagreed on issures and

that your relationship ans been very productive within your

organization.

HOW ARE YOU MOTIVATED IN YOUR POSITION?

You are motivated by a job well done. etc

WHAT THINGS DETRACT FROM SOME OF YOUR INITIATIVES?

Make a negative a positive....For example you may occasionaly

overacheive....while it is good for business,in can be better in the

long run if you keep a balance between your work and relaxation. Yu

find that you are more productive when you take an occasional break

to refocus.

HOW HAVE YOU DIFFERENTIATED YUORSELF FROM YOU PEERS BOTH OUTSIDE ADN

WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION?

EMBELLISH successful

attribures,ambition,determintatin,.organization.,energy,self

motivation,ability to handle rejection,teamwork,etc,

HOW WERE YOU GRADES IN COLLEGE?

IF they were admirable have an official transcript from you college

to present to the interviewere, YOur answer should focus on the fact

that you willlhave no difficulty learing product knowledge.

If grades were NOT praiseworthy fault it on working while attending

school(if appropriate) extracurricular activities(sports) or youth>

Move on to illustrate recent sucesses in your career,continuing

educatin,seminars,or training classes.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT SALARY?

Answer breifly and to the point,then stop talking. Do not exaggerate.

Avoid discussion what salary you may requiiew until you have been

made an offer.Likewise avoid the temptation to ask anythign about

salary or compensation.

CAN I CONTACT YUR CURRENT EMPLOYER OR COWORKERS? " No " is an accepted

answer. You woudl not want to jepordize yur current standing withing

yur present organiation.

DO NOT BRING prewritten reference letters.

It is appropriate to provde references type written on a separate

sheet of paper, Provde both personal and professional references.

Give complete names,title,addresses,phone numbers(3 of each is

appropriate)

Be sure to have permissin from the individuals on your list and tell

them when you give it out.

WHEN I CALL YOUR REFERENCES,HOW WILL THEY DESCRIBE YOU?WHAT WILLYOU

BOSS SAY?

List some of the qualities that you have demonstrated in the presence

of your referenced individuals. For example,that would say that you

are determinied,creative,motivated,strong,honest,strong work

ethic,relaibel,good sense of humor,great salsperson (OR XYX)

Product demonstration- DEmonstrate HOW you would market or do your

job you are applying for if possible....

Lastly.,,,,,,professional attire..

Skirted suit for woman,DK BLue,Black or Navy with pumps that are

darker that suit....also tan hose.high color blouse ,understated

jewelry and the ONLY nail polish that is acceptable is natural or

French manicure. NO perfume. A purse and a breifcase( the best you

can afford)

GOOD LUCK I hope this helps some one.

FOR Those of you that read all of this..............you can see WHY I

am not a secretary. I am NO typist and I did not proof it.

Pharmaceutical rep wannabe....

Anyone know anyone in the industry>I am web only so e mail me

directly please