Job Hunting for Medical Device Sales Careers During the Great Resignation
Americans quit their jobs in record numbers last year, and data from the start of 2022 shows the trend is not slowing down. According to reporting by CNBC, over 4 million people left their jobs in January.
A survey by the Pew Research Center determined the top reasons people are quitting their jobs:
Low pay
No opportunity for growth
Feelings of being disrespected
With over 11 million open positions, job seekers have a major upper hand in the hiring process. However, job seekers know well that some jobs aren’t worth taking. As you comb through the job openings for medical device sales, it’s important to consider why your predecessor left the position.
Were top sellers driven away by a micromanaging boss? Were wages and bonuses stuck at the same rate (which really means they’re trending downwards when you account for inflation)? Was the company outpaced by the competition?
To determine if the position is open due to larger company issues, be attentive to red flags during the hiring process, and gather insight about the company from internet research and personal connections. Here’s how to determine if you’re interviewing with a problematic company.
Red flags of a bad employer
The company isn’t growing. Lack of product development and business growth is a bad sign in any industry, but it’s a huge red flag in medical device sales. Advancements should always be on the horizon because you can guarantee that the competition is refining their portfolio and introducing new products. Any company you work for should have a plan to ensure their longevity.
Growth opportunities are limited. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? This is one of the most common job interview questions, and it’s an opportunity for you to learn what the company offers in terms of your long-term growth. Your interviewer should be able to share how the company can support your growth, expand your skills, and, of course, make more money.. If they can’t do that, or simply don’t, there might not be a future for you at that company.
Customer needs aren’t being met. Health care staff or surgeon complaints will arise–no matter how advanced your company’s products are, so it’s important that your new employer has a clear plan of action for addressing customer issues. Unheard customer feedback is a clear sign of business stagnation. Companies committed to longevity should not only listen to customer feedback, but also integrate it into their future plans.
How to find a good medical device sales company
Research the company. As you research the company, be sure to look beyond their website because that’s where they put their best food forward. Look for reviews from past employees on websites like Indeed or Glassdoor to learn what people liked or disliked about the company. Since these websites are anonymous, you’re likely to get unfiltered opinions about the job.
Leverage your connections. Don’t be afraid to ask your network for information or connections during the job search. If you’re lucky enough to know someone at the company, ask about their experience.
Even if you don’t have a direct link to the company, you might have a mutual connection. This is where LinkedIn can be especially useful. If you share mutual connections with any employees, ask that person if they can make an introduction. By developing a connection on your own, you’re not only likely to get great insight, you’re also more likely to hear honest opinions.
Connections are important in medical device sales. For more advice on using LinkedIn to pursue a career in medical device sales read Interested in Medical Device Sales Careers? Here’s How to Find a Job
Learn from the hiring process. Don’t underestimate what you can learn from the interview. If you feel valued, listened to and like they’re eager to answer your questions and learn more about you–both as an employee and as an individual–then that’s a good sign.
Ask questions. Much like the company website, it’s likely that the interviewer will be putting their best foot forward during the hiring process. If not, that’s a red flag in itself. To get a feel for your future at the company, ask questions that will help you learn about company culture, management and processes.
Some questions you ought to ask:
Who is your ideal sales rep?
Who would you consider a difficult sales rep?
How do you resolve conflicts (within teams or with customers)?
How is feedback given?
How long has this team been with the company?
Although their answers won’t give you the full picture, they’ll help you learn more about the company’s decision-makers.
What you need to know before accepting an offer
Above all, your employer should be equally invested in your success as they are their own. If a company is staffed with longtime reps, that’s a good sign that employees are valued and growth opportunities are robust. Meanwhile, high turnover is a warning sign of internal strife. Accepting a role at a company with bad managers or stagnant technology could hinder your career goals.
You’re not the only one who should be working to prove yourself during the hiring process–the company looking to hire you should be demonstrating why they’ve earned your trust as well.
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