The Resume IS Dead!

Now that I have your attention…CALM DOWN…and hear me out.

There is so much talent available in the marketplace and it has become abundantly clear that people need to find a way to differentiate themselves. With Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and other such outlets dominating the Social Media space, how does one stand out anymore? Everyone is selling something. The marketplace is crowded and is becoming diluted. The same thing happens when you apply for a job opening and submit your resume along with hundreds of others to be considered for one position. What will make your resume stand out? It has already been determined that recruiters spend approximately 6 seconds reviewing a resume. What can a recruiter see in 6 seconds? If you do not possess the specific experience or qualifications that the position requires, it is highly unlikely that you will receive a call or response. Until now…

If you follow the advice given by David Meerman Scott in his YouTube video entitled Inbound Job Search you just might have a chance. In his presentation he gives an example of what successful implementation of the inbound job search process looks like. His example recounts the story of Lindsey Kirchoff, who started following Meerman Scott as a college student after reading his book, “New Rules of Marketing & PR”, where he recommends that every job hunter should have a blog (see Scott’s blog here). The bottom line is this – when you share relevant and valuable information people take notice. Whether that is via a blog, LinkedIn, Twitter or another popular social media outlet is up to you.

So, of course the resume is NOT dead. But, one must ask him/herself, “How relevant is it in this age of social media, inbound marketing, etc.?”

Happy (inbound) job hunting!

NEVER GIVE UP!

I am not a football fan.  If I watch a football game on tv, it is by default, not by design.  You see, we have ONE television in our home and when sports is on I am often overruled.  So, to keep the peace, I join in.  However, this afternoon, as I watched the Seattle Seahawks play the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game I became a fan.  Not so much of football, but of the underdog.  The score was 16-0 at the half (Green Bay).  In the 4th quarter, the score was 19-14 (Green Bay) with only a little over 2 minutes left in the game.  Then the unthinkable happened...Seattle scored a TOUCHDOWN!  Now, the score is 19-20 (Seattle Seahawks) with 1 minute & 25 seconds left in the game.  Then the unbelievable happened...the Seattle Seahawks scored a 2-point conversion to give them a 3 point lead.  NEVER GIVE UP!  The announcers said the Seattle Seahawks scored 15 points in 44 seconds.  The Green Bay Packers were not ready to concede, though.  They answered with a field goal from 48 yards with 14 seconds to play.  NEVER GIVE UP!  Finally, the improbable happened when Russell Wilson hit Jermaine Kearse for a 35-yard touchdown 3 minutes and 19 seconds into overtime to win the game for the Seahawks.  The Seattle Seahawks beat the Green Bay Bay Packers in the NFC Championship.  NEVER GIVE UP!  I'll never forget one of my district managers' favorite inspirational words, "It's not how you start, but how you finish."  Those powerful words never rang more true than on today as I watched the Seattle Seahawks pull out an astonishing win against the Green Bay Packers to earn a coveted spot in Superbowl XLIX.






As you look to transition from pharmaceutical sales to another career or a more fulfilling job NEVER GIVE UP!  You won't always find the right job opportunity.  NEVER GIVE UP!  You won't always get a call when you submit your resume.  NEVER GIVE UP!  You won't always get a call back after the phone interview.  NEVER GIVE UP!  You won't always get an offer after the face-to-face interview.  NEVER GIVE UP!  Keep searching, keep applying,  and keep interviewing.  You have to stay in the game in order to win!

Until next time-

Off the Pharm

New Year, Same Mission!

Happy New Year! 

I am looking forward to some exciting changes to come with Get Off the Pharm. As each new year comes to an end and we look forward to new beginnings, we tend to evaluate our successes and failures and make plans to improve ourselves or circumstances for the coming year. During my time of reflection and planning, I realized that I had slightly gotten away from the mission of Get Off the Pharm - "to encourage, engage, equip and empower pharmaceutical sales professionals who have been displaced and/or are searching for career alternatives."  Unfortunately, I got sidetracked by my desire to make money instead of remaining true to my original desire to help others by sharing my story and the stories of others who had successfully made it off the pharm, as well as offering advice on how to successfully transition out of pharmaceutical sales into a new career or business.  

So, in case you haven't already noticed, I have removed the Events page of the blog that was designed to advertise fee-based webinars and the Services page where I offered one-on-one consulting services.  I am making the transition to a new blog format that will offer completely free advice, information and resources AND I am excited to introduce it to you in due time.  In the meantime, I am looking for former pharmaceutical sales reps who have successfully transitioned into a new career or started a new business.  Please email your "success story" to GetOffthePharm@gmail.com and I will respond with next steps.  Finally, please comment below with the type of content and specific topics you would like to see addressed on this blog.   This blog was originally designed to be a community and a community we will be.   

Until then, 

Get Off the Pharm

com·mu·ni·ty

kəˈmyo͞onədē/

noun

1. 1. 

   a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

   
   
2. 2. 

   a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.