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Online career management
Getting to grips with online career management - a
candidate perspective
Getting to grips with online career management - a
candidate perspective
(Date published: 20 October
2002)
Jeremy Tromans
AllAboutMedicalSales.com
In
an increasingly IT literate society, where 'search engines' are fast replacing
more traditional sources of reference, it is inevitable that recruiters will
look more to technology and the internet in their quest for improved
recruitment efficiency. Despite the fact that recruitment will always remain a
'people business', the trend towards e-recruitment presents a wealth of
benefits to recruiters, employers and candidates alike. This article is for the
benefit of the candidate and was written as a practical guide to ensure that
you gain maximum advantage in your online job search activities. Take heed of
the following advice, apply a strong dose of quality and make your
e-applications shine.
Consider your audience
Vacancies
that are posted on the internet are on the whole posted there by specialist
recruitment agencies, who make their living by filtering out the most suitable
and qualified candidates, on behalf of their client companies i.e. your future
employer.
These agencies are paid on the basis of results and are
highly skilled at identifying the best candidates. Your application via an
online jobs board such as www.JobsPharm.com may be your only opportunity to make a
first impression. Just as you should invest in a professional curriculum vitae,
anything less than a well considered and professional online application is
potentially, a wasted opportunity.
Do not sell your self short with a
poorly thought out, unfocused and unprofessional online application. If you do
not heed this advice, your applications will likely be rejected. When you apply
online, all the recruitment agency can judge you by is what you have written
about yourself. To read more about how to stack the odds in your favour when
working with recruitment agencies, please read our article on 'managing
recruitment agencies. [click here].
Your online CV
This
document is as important as your paper based curriculum vitae. When completing
it, take your time, measure every word and ensure that what you write presents
you in a professional way. For some basic advice on perfecting your curriculum
vitae please [click here].
Spelling
Most jobs boards
make it easy to register your details and via a few forms and clicks, a version
of your CV is online. Because this process is so easy, there is a tendancy to
forget the importance of good grammar and spelling. An application or CV that
is littered with such poor attention to detail will be rejected. Do not rush
your online applications and ensure that you have used 100% good grammar, with
no spelling mistakes.
Geographical location
Most jobs
boards prompt you to select the geographical location of your choice. Ensure
that there is a focus in your choice of geographical locations. Candidates who
indicate that they are willing to work anywhere from Virginia to Ireland, may
be considered to have no focus. Consider very carefully where you would ideally
wish to work and select geographical locations accordingly.
Job
alerts, candidate matching and jobs by e-mail
Jobs boards and their
associated technology can allow an agency to auto-match your stated job
preferences against existing and new vacancies. It is recommended that you
select only those job descriptions that you are qualified to consider. If you
are a Trainee (Graduate or otherwise), there is no point applying for
Managerial vacancies. If you do not understand all of the positions that exist,
seek advice before applying. Poorly thought out job-description selections can
demonstrate lack of focus or that you do not understand what you are applying
for. In general, we would suggest that you select no more than five potential
job descriptions and that the ones that you do select are of a similar status.
Skills & Achievements
As with any paper-based
application form, you will normally be presented with an option to highlight
your skills and achievements. Such sections should be carefully considered and
should contain information that demonstrates that your past experiences and
successes, qualify you for the positions that you are applying for. Likewise,
how you complete this section is an indication that you understand what the
role requires and its essential competencies.
To understand more about
this important subject our article on Competency based interviews will help [click
here].
Experience & value to an employer
In
curriculum vitae terms, this type of section is your profile and should be
completed with great care. This is often the only section that a recruitment
consultant will initially scan. If it fails to capture their interest, they
will read no further and your application has been a wasted exercise. When
completing this section, you are in effect offering a focused summary of what
you have to offer. Be specific. Use words that describe you and paint a
positive picture of you. Reference those key achievements that stand you out
from the crowd. If you are a trainee, seek advice on transferable skills and
how to best present your experiences in a way that demonstrates that you have
the required competencies.
You may also wish to consider a few sentences
about your goals and aspirations. Include a summary of the type of job you are
looking for, along with reference to your preferred location. If you are
geographically flexible and willing to relocate, mention this
here.
Qualifications & Training
Here you should list
your academic record, with your highest qualification first. As well as this,
consider other types of training that might support your application and stand
you out from the crowd.
Personal Details
Ensure that you
complete 'personal details' sections as fully as possible. It is of vital
importance that you consider how you will be contacted. What does your e-mail
address say about you. An email address of daffyduck@hotmail.com may not
present the best impression. You may wish to consider a new email address. We
would recommend the Pharm-mail service, where you can register for a
professional, industry specific e-mail of you@pharm.co.uk. This alone might
give you an edge. Pharm-mail can be accessed via the following link: [click here]
Also consider the answer phone message
of your mobile phone. Is it professional? What does it say about you? Listen to
your own answer phone message through the eyes of a potential employer. If it
fails to present a positive impression - record one that
does.
Employment History
Most jobs boards will prompt you
to complete your most recent employment details. Ensure that you draw attention
to those aspects of your current employment that demonstrate your suitability
for the positions that you wish to apply for. Perhaps include reference to any
key achievements that further demonstrate your qualification. A knowledge of
key competencies will help you complete this section [click
here].
You may also have the opportunity to complete your full
employment history. It is highly recommend that you do this, as a failure to do
so may be translated as a reluctance to share this information. Pay attention
to every past employment that you include, ensuring that you reference key
skills, responsibilities and achievements. Also check that dates are correct
and in order.
Applications from overseas
Applying for
vacancies in UK, if you do not yet live in the UK is 99% of the time, a wasted
effort and will only serve to irritate the agency that you are applying to. In
most cases, a face to face interview would be required and unless you are able
to fulfil this basic need, you would be well advised not to apply via a country
specific jobs board.
Mass applications from overseas candidates are
common place, where every available vacancy is applied for, without any thought
or consideration. This is a totally wasted exercise. If you have adopted this
approach - stop. You would be better advised to send one well written e-mail to
an agency of your choice, explaining your intentions and asking their
advice.
A list of UK recruitment agencies can be found on the following
page [click
here].
Trainees
If you are trying to break into
medical sales for the first time, research the role before applying. This is
effective use of your time and will greatly increase your chances of success.
You will find a wealth of resources at:
www.AllAboutMedicalSales.com/graduates/
Think
carefully before you apply
Decide where you wish to work and which
roles you are qualified for. Having determined this, ensure that you maintain
focus when applying for positions. As you are using a jobs-board such as
www.JobsPharm.com
system, keep a careful note of the agencies to which you are applying and only
apply for those select vacancies that meet your criteria. A shot gun approach
does not work and will result is your CV being rejected.
Consider this
from the recruitment consultants perspective - how many times do they want to
receive the same CV?
Follow Up
When you apply for
positions online, a record is normally maintained within your account. With the
more highly specified jobs-boards, you should be able to check the progress of
these applications at any time.
This is another chance to stand out from
the crowd by implementing a professional follow-up. Sitting back and waiting
for a response may result in nothing. Wait at least two working days and then,
if you have not had a response, you may wish to consider contacting the agency
by telephone or by e-mail. In both cases, be sure to communicate which
jobs-board you used, along with details of the vacancy that you have applied
for. This is your opportunity to further sell yourself and may be the
ingredient that is required to gain you an all important face-to-face
interview.
Online e-recruitment websites are an excellent resource, but,
cannot do everything for you. Take action - Follow-up and stand out from the
crowd. Be prepared to ask for an interview.
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