Plan your pharmaceutical career and get the best from your recruitment consultant

1. www.clinicalprofessionals.co.uk
Your Career
in Pharma

2. Career planning
Plan your career
in pharma
Career planning is simply negotiating - with yourself
The keys to successful negotiation are term goals are broader plans for the future (e.g. infrastructure.Whatever size of company, you’ll
simple: set ground rules, clarify issues from all family, lifestyle and career aspirations). Set them need to be able to handle change.There’s a
perspectives, brainstorm and agree a solution. by envisioning what you want to be doing and strong chance your company will be taken
The keys to successful career planning are where you want to be in the next five to ten over or merged in the next few years!
much the same because career planning is years – and think about barriers you might
simply negotiating – with yourself. have to overcome. Where do I look for jobs?
Define what you can offer a prospective Scouring the general press for job
The ground rules employer. Look at your experience, advertisements is one option however the
It’s easier to make the right choices on your qualifications, personality and skills. Identify pharmaceutical industry has several dedicated
career path if you truly understand where you achievements in your career to date. If you’re publications which contain job adverts – the
are now and where you want to be in the new to the job market, give examples of advantage of the latter being that you’re more
future. So, make time to focus on your career, achievements in your personal or academic life. likely to find a suitable role. Indeed, it’s worth
and prepare to have your self perception If you’re looking at a career change, identify keeping an eye on the adverts in such
challenged! skills you can transfer into a new role. publications even when you are not actively
Highlight where you have a skill deficit and job hunting.They give you a good idea of
Clarify issues see if you can improve in that area. what the job situation is in your chosen field.
Write down answers to these questions. Write down career options that meet your Most recruiters place advertisements on
• What do I enjoy doing? aspirations but don't make choices at this stage. industry-specific websites.You can search by
• What motivates me? Visualise yourself in each role. Look at the role, location, salary etc, and submit your CV
• What annoys me? types of things you really don’t want to do. Be for review. Most postings have contact names
• What is important to me in a career? honest about this now to prevent mistakes that and email addresses so you can find out more
• What opportunities do I have? may come back to haunt you later! about the role before applying formally.
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• What sorts of things can I see myself doing? Agree a solution Networking
• What do I want my personal- work-life You’ve assessed your strengths and Developing a professional network is a
balance to be? weaknesses, set your career and life goals and, fundamental way of getting exposure to
• What interests do I have outside work? for better or for worse, have confirmed the path potential employers. Start with a list of people
• How would I like work to make me feel? for your career in the pharmaceutical sector. you know within or in some way associated
Ask others how they would answer some of with the pharmaceutical industry.
these questions about you. Don’t just ask those Does size matter? Once the contact is made, know what you
who’ll tell you what you want to hear. Ask What type of company would you like to want from it. Is it advice, information or a lead
people you don’t get along with – and learn work for? Small companies can give you to another contact who may be able to help
from what they say. opportunity to work cross-functionally.They more? Always thank people for their help even if
sometimes offer incentives to stay with them they haven’t really moved your search on. If they
Brainstorm and it’s easier for you to shine. Remember have, go back to them with feedback. Be
Now write down career goals for the short though, that being out there on your own or proactive and confident and above all, don’t give
and long term. Short-term goals are specific in a small team may be tough. And that small up – the perfect job is out there waiting for you!
objectives that, when met, you will take you companies can become big companies. Big
on your way to meeting long-term goals (e.g. companies may offer more flexible benefits
getting a qualification, getting a job in a packages, the opportunity to work with a
chosen career, getting a promotion etc). Long- wider product range and a stronger marketing
5
www.clinicalprofessionals.co.uk Your Career in Pharma

3. Working with consultants
Get the best from
your consultant
After all, you’re looking for someone you can trust
The first and arguably most important step is that your consultant can give you sound career If you know what you want to do and don’t
to choose your agencies with care.You may advice.Your consultant needs to be able to have a particular preference towards where you
think that the more you register with the more quickly assimilate your current experience and do it, you may just want to use a consultant to
vacancies you are likely to hear about.This is competencies in order to determine what roles help you to explore your opportunities. In this
not necessarily true. And this approach has its are available to you. situation, your consultant can save you a good
risks: An initial face-to-face meeting is important deal of time by exploring a range of roles for
• You could flood the market with your in this process.Telephone interviews are you. Make sure youre clear about what types
applications. Pharma companies may tire commonly used and are a good start but do of positions you do and don’t want to consider.
of you. not give ideal opportunity for you and your
• You could lose control of your job search. Managing your consultant
’
You might find yourself being put forward Once you have chosen the consultant(s) that
for roles you havent had time to learn There’s a lot to be said for personal meets your requirements, there are a few things
• enough about. recommendation. You’re looking that you should do in order to ensure your
Consider then what you really want from
’ relationships run smoothly.
your consultant. Is it career advice, knowledge for someone you can trust Tell your consultant if he or she calls you to
of the industry and its key players, a range of discuss a role for which you have already
positions for which to apply? Which agency is applied via another agency.The last thing you
best-placed to meet your specific consultant to really get to know one another. want is your CV landing on one manager’s
requirements? Be prepared to spend time with your desk from five different places!
Don t be fooled by recruitment agencies consultant, exploring every facet of your career Never allow your CV to be sent to a
with many pages of vacancies on their website. to date.What have you done? What are you company without your permission. A
A quick’ check will often show that some good at? What are you not so good at? What recruitment consultant should have first
vacancies are no longer current or have been do you like? What don t you like? All these discussed the role with you in detail and sent
duplicated to (falsely) portray a wealth of questions will help your consultant form a you a job description for review.
opportunity. Find an agency instead that has a picture of the right type of role for you.
’ Interviewing: beware of any consultant who
range of vacancies (and therefore contacts), simply leaves you to your own devices!
relevant experience and specialised knowledge Company knowledge Give your consultant feedback as soon as
of your industry. Ask potential consultants who If you know what you want to do but are possible after interviews so that they know
they know and the type and volume of not quite sure where you would like to do it, your views when the client calls with theirs.
business they have done with particular you need a consultant to help find the right Be honest with your consultant they will be
companies in the past. And ask contemporaries company for you. Ask them which companies: discreet but need to know if there are any issues
who theyve found supportive, helpful and • have the type of role you’re looking for that might affect your suitability for a role.
successful.There a lot to be said for taking up
s • have a product portfolio that interests you Finally, never fail to turn up for an interview
a personal recommendation. After all, you’re • are located in the right area for you
’ without telling your consultant. A cancelled or
looking for someone you can trust. • have an organisational culture in which you re-arranged interview is acceptable - a ‘no
• might enjoy working show’ is not!
Career advice Also find out who the key players in are in
If you are uncertain at this stage what your the organisation. Have you worked with them
next career step could be, you need to ensure before? Do you want to again?
www.clinicalprofessionals.co.uk Your Career in Pharma