Monday, 6 February 2012
Job Searching and Document Checks
Embarking on a search for a new job can be daunting however like all things in life it can go more smoothly with forward planning. This short article is aimed at ensuring you have the relevant factual information at hand. This is important as recruitment agencies like 20:20 Selection Ltd and importantly employers do need to check your legal, employment and academic documentation. Hence if you have all this in order, then when it comes to you being made that perfect job offer the contract/job offer letter is likely to be with you more quickly.
The following checklist should help you with your preparation:
•Passport & Visa (if applicable) – an employer can be fined for employing individuals who are not eligible to work in the UK
•Driving Licence – you will need the paper and photo card parts. For field based positions you will need a valid UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points. It is important you make clear declarations about your driving history when asked as employers will check this with the DVLA.
If you have a non UK licence holder and need to convert your licence the following link will give you some guidance:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022562
•A recent payslip. This will validated your current basic salary and your National Insurance number. If you are in receipt of other monthly benefits such as a car allowance this will also be verified on the payslip.
•ABPI certificate – if you have sat and passed the examination you will need to produce your certificate if you are offered employment with a pharmaceutical company. If you have misplaced this, the following link may help
https://extranet.abpi.org.uk/web/abpi/exams.nsf/pages/duplicate_certificate_request
•Highest education certificates (degree, nursing, A levels etc)
•For nursing roles you will need your current NMC PIN number and date of expiry. Plus you will also be asked about the date of your last CRB check however your new employer will need to undertake a fresh check.
•For sales positions you should also put together your ‘Brag File’ or portfolio of successes which should include Sales Data, other performance against KPIs, recent appraisal documents; in fact anything that you can use to sell you and differentiate you in the marketplace.
If you are not facing redundancy, timing your job search is also something to consider. For example,
•We do come across people who may be tied in to car schemes. You are advised to carefully calculate the costs involved to you in walking away from your current agreement, as not all employers offer car opt-out schemes.
•If you are going to jeopardise any bonus/incentive payments pay by leaving before a certain date.
•If you have significant holiday commitments it is important you flag these. A job offer may be subject to you attending a training course on a specific date for a fixed time, however discussing these with your Recruitment Consultant early in the process may mean this can be negotiated. Also remember that holiday entitlement will be prorated depending at what stage of the leave year you commence work.
At 20:20 Selection, we are here to help and guide our candidate along the process. Our specialist team can be contacted on 0845 026 2020 from 08:30 – 18:00 weekdays, or alternatively you may wish to visit our website http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
20:20 Selection Ltd – Crucell Team expansion
In 2009, Crucell – the largest independent vaccines company in the world – launched a dedicated Sales & Marketing function in the
The expansion of the sales team is a reflection of the successful first year of the UK Sales & Marketing function, and represents an excellent time to join the team as they capitalise on their achievements to date. Crucell firmly believe that investing in their people is investing in the future, and is dedicated to developing employees’ competencies and promoting individual performance.
Brand new opportunities now exist for Territory and Regional Business Managers to join the company throughout
On offer to successful candidates will be a highly attractive basic salary, company car or car allowance, excellent bonus potential, 25 days holiday, pension & private healthcare. Crucell UK Ltd is a growing organisation with
full investment from their headquarters in
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Interview Guidance
PRIOR TO the Interview
Research
Look committed and find out as much as possible about the company.
Visit their web site for more information on the company.
Find out who will your competitors be and as much as possible about the market/customers you will be selling to
Job Description
Make sure you are fully aware what the role is you are being interviewed for. Your consultant at 20:20 Selection Ltd will have fully briefed you on this.
Be confident that you are technically qualified to do the job. We would not have spoken to you about the role if we didn’t think your profile matched the client’s criteria!
Have examples from your previous roles to demonstrate your ability to do this job and evidence in your brag file to back this up
FOR THE INTERVIEW
Personal Presentation
Look your smartest and show your most professional side during the interview. A company is more likely to employ someone who is well presented and who will therefore best represent their company to customers.
Punctuality
Arrive to start the interview on time (be early if possible)
Obtain clear directions for the location of the interview and plan your journey, allowing plenty of time to arrive.
INTERVIEW DO’S
Introduce yourself courteously (first impressions last!)
Express yourself clearly.
Show tact, manners, courtesy, and maturity at every opportunity.
Be confident and maintain poise. The ability to handle your nerves during the interview will come across as confidence in your ability to handle the job.
Be prepared to show how your experience would benefit the company.
Ask questions concerning the company or products and the position for which you are being interviewed for. An interviewer will be impressed by an eager and inquisitive mind. You will also be able to demonstrate that you can contribute to the company or industry if you show an interest in its products and/or services.
Take time to think and construct your answers to questions to avoid rushing into a vague and senseless reply.
Demonstrate that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done well and that you will fit in with the company's organisational structure and the team in which you will work.
Show willingness to start at the bottom and work up.
Anticipate questions you’re likely to be asked and have answers prepared in advance. Uncertainty and disorganisation show the interviewer that you are unprepared and unclear what your goals are.
Be assertive without being aggressive (ensure you close – remember you are a sales person & ‘you’ are your product)
Thank the interviewer for their time
Interview Don'ts
Be late for the interview. Tardiness is a sign of irresponsibility or disorganisation and the employer could take it as what to expect in the future.
Arrive unprepared for the interview.
Say unfavourable things about previous employers.
Make excuses for failings.
Give vague responses to questions.
Show lack of career planning - no goals or purpose could convey the impression you're merely shopping around or only want the job for a short time.
Show too much concern about rapid advancement.
Overemphasise money. Your interviewing goal is to sell yourself to the interviewer and to get an offer of employment. Salary discussion is secondary.
Show any reservations you may have about the role/company. You can always turn down second interviews and job offers after you have had time to appraise your concerns in the cold light of day.
Express strong prejudices or any personal intolerance.
Leave your mobile phone on during the interview.
These are general tips that can be applied to any interview situation. Part of the service we offer at 20:20 Selection Ltd is to help you prepare for specific client interviews. We have key account managers specifically working with clients & members of the team who come from a pharmaceutical sales management background so you will get personalised expert advice relating to your interview! To find out more about 20:20 Selection Ltd visit www.2020selection.co.uk
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Top 10 Interview Questions
2. Why Should We Hire You?
3. Why Do You Want to Work Here?
4. What Are Your Goals?
5. Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?
6. When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?
7. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?
8. What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You?
9. What Salary Are You Seeking?
10. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?
1. What Are Your Weaknesses?
This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimising your weakness and emphasising your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."
2. Why Should We Hire You? Summarise your experiences: "With five years' experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
3. Why Do You Want to Work Here? The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out CVs just because there is an opening. For example, "I've selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices."
4. What Are Your Goals? Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."
5. Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job? If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me." If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."
6. When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job? The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."
7. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't? What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarise concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."
8. What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You? It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humour."
9. What Salary Are You Seeking? It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: "I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?"
10. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be? Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?
Source: Monster.co.uk
