When I decided after 28 years in the industry to set up on my own as a medical device sales recruiter, it caused me to stop and think about things. It made me ask myself some questions – both about what I was aiming to achieve and crucially, how I wanted to achieve them.
Sure, it’s very easy to come out with glib generalisations. I want to work with my candidates, get to know them properly, blah, blah, blah. And of course, I do! But, that desire for collaboration – what exactly does that look like? How does it manifest itself? What does it mean for you?
The best way I can answer these questions is by chatting about and through the process. The “candidate journey”, if you like. By doing so, I can explain a little about my own thought processes and how they impact a candidate who is entrusting me to work and act in their best interests.
So, let’s pretend that you are looking for a new job in MedTech sales, and have reached out (or possibly replied to a message I may have fired over to you via LinkedIn) to see if I can help you.
Step 1 – Initial contact
We’re talking on the ‘phone. And I’m curious.
Curious about you, about what you’ve done in your career so far, about what you want to do next in your career.
Don’t get me wrong. This is all pretty top line stuff at this moment in time. We’ve barely got to know each other, and let’s not rush things. But from this initial chat, I reckon we both want two things:
- For me to have a basic understanding of what I can do to help you; and
- For you to have had a positive first impression and to leave our conversation confident that I can help you.
If we’ve ticked these two boxes, I’ll be looking forward to getting the cv you’ve promised to send through. And then we can really get going!
Step 2 – Getting to know each other better
You know back in the day, to meet a candidate – an essential part of doing a proper job for you – meant sitting in motorway traffic or catching the red eye to Heathrow or Glasgow or somewhere. It meant fighting for a free table in a busy hotel lobby. And it meant hoping that Sales Managers wouldn’t see one of their team talking to a sales recruiter! Awkward.
Now, with Teams and the like, we can “meet” easily, at a convenient time (maybe before or after work as after all, you have customers to see and selling to do) and in the comfort of our own homes.
Why do we need to meet?
Because then we can really get to know each other properly. We can talk at greater length around your skills and experiences, about your aims and ambitions. You can tell me about your greatest achievements, what gives you job satisfaction, and what doesn’t!
And from all this we get two things.
First, a focus from me on the sort of companies and culture you are best suited to and happiest in. And second, a clear plan on how we are going to get you to where you want to be.
All this means being able to represent you in the exact way you would want me to. I can send your cv without having met you, of course. But that isn’t going to tell the recruiting manager what you’re like as a person. Nor is it going to explain properly why you are looking for a new position. Or how much of a team player you are, or how focused, or how hard working, conscientious, and…. You get the picture.
In other words, we “meet” to chat, and your chances of getting an interview for that job you love the sound of have grown exponentially!
Step 3 – Networking, your doorway to career progression
I play cricket. Still. It takes about three days before I can walk properly again after bowling a few overs. My shoulder hurts. The back is in pieces. Why? Because, I’m not exactly getting old, but let’s just say the body isn’t quite as flexible and nor does it recover as quickly as it used to.
I’ve spent my entire career in MedTech sales recruitment. 28 years and counting. And over that time, you get to know a lot of people in the industry.
There are people I placed in their first job in medical sales, who are now Sales Directors and General Managers. There aren’t many medical device and equipment companies I don’t know someone at.
And this is my USP to you…we’re going to be PROACTIVE in our job search, not REACTIVE. And we’re going to use this network to do it.
We’re going to (very discretely) take you to the market. No names, full confidentiality at this stage (naturally) and until you say otherwise. But I’m going to go out there and find the opportunities you want. We’re not going to wait for them to come to us, because who knows when that might be?
It takes collaboration between you and I for this to work. We’re going to work together on this. But what I’m giving you is access to a network of contacts built over 28 years. Believe me, this can open up opportunities for you that others don’t see. I’ll explain why when we chat.
Step 4 – A helping hand
I’ve worked with candidates who breeze through interviews. They find the process easy. Lucky so-and-sos!
Most though, find that some help and direction through the interview process is very helpful. I know this, because people tell me.
An understanding of what the interviewers are looking for, what they’re likely to ask, what they have found positive in candidates they’ve previously recruited, what the traps to avoid falling into look like… all of these things and more, I’ll be passing on to you before you have any contact with your potential employer.
As you’re likely aware, most interview second stages involve a presentation. Why not run it through and practice it with me via Teams before you go? I obviously can’t do the presentation for you, or prepare it, but I can give you honest and constructive feedback before the big day. You can go into the interview confident, and prepared. A potent, highly effective combination.
Step 5 – Happy days in a new job, and ongoing advice
The offer stage is potentially the most stressful part of the whole recruitment process. The company want you. You want them. I want the both of you to be happy at a successful outcome. Everybody wants something!
But there are times when things need to be thought through, discussed, and settled upon. Maybe negotiated.
Working with me, and the relationship we’ll have established, means you’ll trust me to give honest thoughts. A wall to bounce things off, as it were.
I’ll also make sure the logistics of the move work smoothly for you. Paperwork sent out efficiently, start dates organised, etc. In short, we’ll be in regular contact with each other throughout your notice period.
And from experience, things won’t end there. The number of calls I have each day from people I have got to know, who I placed maybe years ago, who ring up for a chat, to ask questions, for thoughts on something or other. Sometimes just to take the mickey out of the football team I support!
What I’m trying to say is, if you want to work properly witha recruiter, one who has years of experience and a huge network that will work to your benefit, and one who will take a genuine pride in getting to know you and representing you…you should give me a call.
It could be the start of a great friendship.