What advice would you offer on breaking into the Medical Device Field ... particularly, a sales job?

I get this question at least once every few weeks. Here's my take: If the job seeker is not on Linkedin, s/he should join immediately if not sooner! The second action item I'd suggest is to join relevant "medical devices" and "healthcare" or "health care" groups on Linked in. Many groups have job boards where jobs appear there and no where else. Also, for those in sales, you need to proactively put yourself out there and sell yourself. I realize there's a thin line between promoting oneself and being too aggressive, but someone with good sales skills will find that balance. Selling yourself in this market is likely one of the hardest sales you'll make, but there are jobs out there, and someone has to get them. Why not you?! As for the medical devices field, while I do not want to discourage anyone, I think job seekers should be realistic and remain flexible. It's a bit easier in this market to get an entry level job, but the seasoned ones are going to those with experience, and the market is flooded with qualified and over qualified folks. The timing is not right to break into this field unless it's an entry-level spot. The timing may be better in a year or so. There are a number of companies that have training programs, and that likely will be your best bet other than networking and getting someone to refer you internally. I cannot recall specifically, but there are a few well-publicized websites that you can subscribe to. You can, of course, do a Google search. There's a dedicated industry site: http://www.medicaldevicesalesjob.com/ and another is medrep.com that often lists companies that have training programs in addition to ore seasoned jobs (job seekers can subscribe to this website alert). Check the separate post here on the best Medical Devices/Life Sciences URLs. There are some great links there. Hope this helps. What do others think?

Why Join Groups on Linkedin.com (and Other Linkedin Help & Tips)?

As you know, Linkedin is a social network that operates under the premise of degrees of separation. The more contacts you have, the closer you will be to connections you may be interested in making. Once you link in with others, be sure to utilize the "Find People" or "Find Companies" feature on the top (using the "Advanced" search functions, so that you can get introduced to others). Also, just a tip: The more groups you join, the more access you will have to people (without using the "inMail" feature! It's a great way to expand your network! (Once you do a people or company search, you can mouse over the options to the right of each common group member's name, and write to them directly. In addition, the length of such messages is more liberal than inMails!

For more tips on how to maximize Linkedin, either click on the "About" in the bottom navifgation links, and then click on the "Learning Center" on the right-hand margin of the page.

3 Digital Marketing Job Sites: Courtesy of Todd Herschberg

SEO/SEM positions - Searchable job listings for the group As there seem to be a significant number of group members who are seeking new jobs as a result of the economy, and Todd Herschberg has set up a job listing board. Todd is the 37th most connected person on LinkedIn Twitter: @Herschberg - http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter%2Ecom%2FHerschberg&urlhash=r1Ja


You can find the board here:
http://ocean.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-seo
http://ocean.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-sem
http://ocean.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-search+engine

Hope this helps!

Marissa Marsala
Founder, Employer & Candidate Connection (Job Seeker Consultancy and Search Firm)
Founder/Manager, Employer & Candidate Connection Linkedin Pro Bono Group

Notice to Job Seekers: Tip on a Best-Kept Linkedin Secret

For those of you who have been beating the bushes and are discouraged because you are seeing the same jobs everywhere you look, if you have not already done so, sign up for as many groups as possible (you can now join 50). This may be one of the most critical uses of your time and if done diligently, will be key in your job search efforts. BENEFITS OF JOINING GROUPS:

1) Uncover hidden jobs: Employers and search firms post their jobs free on Linkedin groups. The competition is lower as many jobs are not widely advertised elsewhere (or at all). This is especially true of contingency search firms who operate on 100% commission and are trying to keep their costs down. Linkedin or other social networking sites are often the only way to spread the word about open jobs.

2) Access to many more Linkedin Members: When you join a group, you have the option of de-selecting a box that allows other group members to contact you. Most of those who join groups do not UNclick the box. This has a two-fold benefit:

a) When you do a search by people or company, you can freely send in mails to other group members who have not UNclicked the box. These in mail messages also allow you to write slightly longer messages (as opposed to "Get introduced to others"). In addition, if memory serves, you can only get introduced to up to five new connections at a time.

b) Those in your group show up as 1st degree connections. This may be a flaw on the Linkedin system, but if so, it provides an advantage.

c) It is easier to connect to those already in your group. Carefully do so by referencing that you share a group. Be mindful that it is better to do this after you have shared something in common such as attending a group function or commenting on the same discussion. BEAR IN MIND THAT LINKEDIN ONLY ALLOWS 5 "Don't Knows" BEFORE THEY SANCTION MEMBERS.

d) The more members you are connected with (in your Connections Tally), the more searches you will turn up in. When employers and search firms do searches, in addition to searching on keywords (those in your headline, in particular), since Linkedin only returns 300 searches at a time (unless those searching have a premium membership for which they pay $600), the more people you are connected to,

3) Some groups offer networking groups (phone or local face-to-face meetings) that may prove to be useful in your job search. At a minimum, you can connect with others who are in transition and make valuable friendships.

4) You can start a discussion and establish visibility and credibility as a subject matter expert.

5) Free Advertising: You can also start a discussion to promote yourself and spotlight some of your key skills. (This can be used IN ADDITION TO your own status update bubble on your profile--another free commercial)

6) If you see a discussion about a job opening, you can reply privately to the employer/search firm that posted it. Even if the job is not ideal, you can leverage the opportunity to introduce yourself for future opportunities. Again - more exposure.

TO JOIN A GROUP: Click on "Groups," then "Join Groups," then type in relevant keywords to find groups that are geared toward the career you are in, the career that you are hoping to be in or other groups that will provide you with the right networking ideas and/or people. Good luck!

Giving, Getting and Leveraging Recommendations (Audio Link)

For those who would need a little help with this topic, take a listen ... I think this audio file runs about 30 minutes, so you may want to have it play in the background as you exercise, do chores or are otherwise engaged. My hope is that you glean at least one good, actionable idea from the time you invest in tuning in.

http://surkanstance.blogspot.com/2009/12/job-search-tales-how-to-get.html

Leveraging Conferences, Trade Shows and Other Job Search Ideas

In this competitive job market, perhaps more than ever before, it's simply good business practice to maintain and build upon your professional network. This sounds like a "no brainer," but many job seekers have been caught off guard now that they are unexpectedly in transition. They have had to jump-start their efforts to build their network and/or reputation in the industry ... sometimes both.

ESPECIALLY if you are not employed, it is a good idea to attend industry conferences and tradeshows, as well as regularly-scheduled industry/organization events. Doing so will not only help your psyche, but will help you keep pace with regulations, competitive offerings, and other market drivers that shape and affect your industry. In addition, such events provide job seekers with an excellent opportunity to remain highly visible and network and promote their capabilities. In fact, many who are in transition are now doing volunteer work at such organizations, which enhances their skills, builds their reputations, and boosts their pipeline of reference sources. In a best-case scenario, it may serve as a stepping stone for the next great job!

In terms of other activities that can help with your job search, check out Linkedin or ask your network of friends and family of they know of someone in the industry who may actually be in a role similar to one that you are ideally seeking. If you cannot find someone in a similar role, identify someone close enough to the job that they have a peripheral understanding. Offer to meet them for coffee. It will be worth the cost of treating them. Each time I've networked for job-related reasons, I've gotten good tidbits of information, even if it did not ultimately lead to a job, itself. I also enjoyed the networking experience and have kept up with many of those I have networked with in the past, and vice versa. In many cases, I've reciprocated over the years. THAT'S what it's all about. I believe you can never know too many people.

In terms of guarding against transitioning into industries that may be a "fad," I also think that using the Bureau of Labor Statistics to see evidence of where the jobs/industries are going (shrinking or growing) is a great way to gain insight.

Also, to get you to take action in a more structured way, make a "To Do" list. My grandma always told me to "Write it down on paper." In her experience, memorializing fleeting thoughts crystallized them, resulting in a clearer sense of what needed to get done and provided a visual map of the order in which to best tackle such steps. In addition such a list serves as a checklist; and for most people, crossing things off your list will likely give you a sense of accomplishment. There are even some statistics that demonstrate that you are more likely to follow through if things are solidified on paper!

What to Do When Your Reference Sources are NOT on Linkedin

Dan asked, “If I ask for recommendations, will that tip off my currently employer that I am looking?”

(My response)
That’s always possible. I recognize that some may see a recommendation and think, "Hmmmm ... Dan must be thinking about leaving," but Linkedin is not just a social networking site that people consult when they are out of work or seeking work. It's a business networking site, and more and more, it's becoming commonplace to see recommendations for folks who are actively employed. The more this happens, the fewer eyebrows will be raised when they see one. Of course, each person must determine what they are comfortable with.

If you pursue recommendations, it’s a REALLY good idea to get recommendations from different disciplines (e.g., types of colleagues from other departments, ones that address different strengths that each candidate brings to bear, etc.) as well as different levels of current/former colleagues. I also added "current" because many people wait to leave a company to get references, but I say, "Strike while the iron is hot!"

Here’s one other comment from another of my Linkedin group members that may be helpful:

Agostina wrote, "Marissa, I agree that recommendations are very appreciated by employers in today’s job market where skills and qualifications for candidates are getting higher day by day. Thus, recommendations can make the difference when choosing talent. There´s a very interesting site that I recently discovered for the mere purpose of recommendations (both for getting recommended and endorsing others). Here´s the link: http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmeritbuilder%2Ecom%2F&urlhash=S5zM "

Good luck, and I hope this helps you with your recommendations.