October 31, 2008   |  Vol. 1 No. 6     Published by Biotech Ink, LLC, and Word Angel Document Design Solutions
Dear ,
 
This week, I spoke with several recruiters who know the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries from a staffing perspective. The feedback I've received suggests that many companies are waiting for the results of the presidential election on Tuesday before they commit to filling new consultant and staff positions. Hopefully, after the election is history and the results are in, we'll see more medical writing and related positions opening up.

In the meantime, I've included an article in this week's Insider that's relevant to your job search. For those of us who have done job searches, the author, Tim Tyrell-Smith, strikes a familiar chord: the worst day of a job search is the day when absolutely nothing happens. His article lists several excellent suggestions for avoiding those days when no job search progress is made. His ideas are applicable to staff and contract job searches, within and outside the medical writing and publishing arena. I hope his ideas are helpful if you're in the job market.
 
Even if you aren't seeking a new position, you can still implement his strategy for finding jobs on a daily basis. In so doing, you'll keep building your network and infusing it with fresh new connections. Then, when the time comes to start your real job hunt, you'll have easier access to recruiters and hiring managers.
  
Warm regards,

Susan

Susan E Caldwell, PhD
Managing Editor, Biotech Ink Insider, and
Medical Writer Consultant and President
Biotech Ink, LLC
Tel: 650-286-9300
Fax: 650-286-9301
Email: caldwell@biotechink.com
Web: www.biotechink.com and www.biotechinkinsider.com
Inside the Insider
The Worst Days During a Job Search
Director PV Medical Writing, Philadelphia
Article Archive
 
 

The Worst Days During a Job Search
by Tim Tyrell-Smith

In my experience, the worst days during a job search are those when nothing happens. No calls come in, no e-mails arrive, you have no events or coffees scheduled, etc.

During my job search last year, I preferred a decision or any kind of communication (even if negative) to the emptiness of a quiet day. I remember vividly a day when I came out of a networking meeting with no expectations, checked my voicemail and found three messages. Two of the three were negative but all three cleared up long lingering opportunities that had been nagging me. Despite the bad results, I was thrilled to have closure on those opportunities as it forced me to re-focus on the remaining opportunities and to kick-start a new effort.

Is this just me? I really don't like ambiguity when it comes to job search. If you love me, let me know. If not, let me go.

I had one experience during the last search where I was rushed through the process at one of my target companies, met twice with the CEO (I was even called back twice the same day). These guys loved me and wanted to move fast, right? Not so much, it turns out. After 8 interviews over three days, someone threw cold water on the fire and let it smolder for almost 8 weeks. You really have to manage expectations, right?

Question: So, how do you manage your job search to create, build and keep your momentum?

Answer: You need to drive constant activity.

This means:

1. Regular communications with your network (i.e. a quick update to let them know you are still out there).

2. Constant (but efficient) use of the web to see what's out there and, as appropriate, applying for relevant roles.

3. Creating new networking relationships through current network extensions. Ask a person in your network: who else should I be talking to?

4. Attending networking events and walking away with no less than 5 solid new contacts.

5. Looking for ways to help people in your network. This can include helping a fellow job seeker as well as helping a recruiter find a candidate for a role that isn't quite right for you.

6. Expanding your micro network usage by identifying yet untapped groups of people who have a reason to want to help you (see my introductory post).

7. Finding friendly but clear ways to insert your "looking for work" status to friends, neighbors and others.

8. Using your spouse or significant other as an evangelist for your search.

9. Building a clear and specific list of target companies. How can people help you if they don't know what you want?

10. Maintaining a nice set of personal, at the ready, marketing materials. Business cards, resume, one pager, elevator speech. You never know when a chance to impress will strike.

At the end of the day, if you are sitting at your computer waiting for something to happen, it won't. Results come as a result of your activity-driving efforts - not because you are a deserving, well-liked person.

The other thing to remember is that a good response rate to outbound e-mails and phone calls is about 20 percent. While you need to be careful not to burn out your network, the worse sin is in being passive or too cautious.

As a final note, be memorable and remember to thank everyone who helps you (even in the smallest ways). From my own experience in trying to help job seekers, I can tell you the fastest way to burn out, flame out or discourage those who can help you is to forget to say "thanks".

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Tim TyrellTim Tyrell-Smith is a veteran consumer packaged goods marketing executive with a passion for ideas and strategy. He writes the blog Spin Strategy™ - Tools for Intelligent Job Search, a new efficiency-based job search strategy and tool set that is based on the concept of "plate-spinning". It helps place the right efforts against the right resources to maximize the return in job search. He created Spin Strategy in 2007 after coming out of his own job search experience with a desire to share his new found methodology with anyone needing support in finding that next great role.

You can view Tim's blog at http://quixoting.typepad.com/spin_strategy

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Tyrell-Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Worst-Days-During-a-Job-Search&id=1634341

Open Medical Writing Staff and Contract Jobs

Director PV Medical Writing
Philadelphia Biotech Company
Strategic Search Solutions, LLC
120 North Main Street, Suite 302
New City, New York 10956
 
Strategic Search Solutions specializes in the recruitment of top tier scientific and medical professionals. Our client, a leading biopharmaceutical company, located in the Philadelphia area is seeking to fill a newly created position:
 
Director PV Medical Writing
Reporting to the Sr. Director, Pharmacovigilance, the Director, PV&RM Writing will be responsible for medical writing, management of reference documentation, training and quality control associated with aggregate report writing in pharmacovigilance. Activities include preparation and expert oversight in the preparation of company PSURs, Risk management plans, responses to regulatory enquiries and ad hoc safety reports. The Director will support the PV&RM therapeutic area teams in the preparation and updating of risk management plans; maintain and archiving and version control of RMPs. Provide expert oversight and quality control in the preparation of aggregate reports in liaison with the therapeutic area-specific physicians and associates accountable for their authorship. Report review, revision and editing will be part of these responsibilities. Training and mentoring for the Pharmacovigilance and risk management department, which includes MDs, in medical writing skills and best practices in association with aggregate report preparation. Liaise with safety operations, quality and standards to develop and maintain associated processes within company, identify areas for process improvement as required.  This position offers the opportunity to work across several therapeutic areas, have Global responsibilities, and provide necessary support to the EU qualified person.

This position requires a life science degree with PhD or PharmD preferred. Minimum of 5 years previous experience working in a similar role with direct experience in aggregate report preparation. Ability to summarise aggregate safety data and identify the key areas for focus in reports.  Solid understanding of the regulations supporting aggregate regulatory reports including ICH guidance, FDA regulations, EU clinical trial directives and Volume 9a.
 
Qualified candidates should submit CV to:

Sue Bell
Executive Recruiter
845-639-6727 direct phone
sue.strategic@verizon.net
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