Preparation = Confidence = Success

- edited by Ben Mudrak

Many have said that confidence is the key to success. Well, preparation is the key to confidence; when you are prepared, you can be confident of your actions and your words. Therefore, the key to a successful face-to-face interview is preparation.

The Face-to-Face Interview

If you have received a request for a face-to-face interview, congratulations! This is an important step and is almost always the last step before an offer. The face-to-face interview will be your chance to show your potential new employer that everything they see on your resume is there, and more. This is also another chance for you to find out whether or not the position will be a right fit for you. So, don’t forget to interview your potential employer as well.

Preparing for the Interview

Just as you prepared for phone interview, do your research. Find out as much as you can about the company and the hiring manager. If you can get in touch with past or current employees with similar roles, this might help you better understand the company’s expectations as well as those of your hiring manager.

You should also look over your resume and be prepared to explain any gap in employment history, your job experience, or the reasons that you left previous positions. Remember that you only have, at most, one hour to impress and address any concerns. One trick is to write down all potential questions and your answers to them. Try not to memorize the answers, but have a general idea of what you will say so it will flow better in conversation.

Employers are simply trying to understand if you would be a good fit for their company, their culture and their mission, aside from determining your skill set, so don’t take offense if it feels like the Spanish Inquisition. One of the most common questions I have heard is “Why do you want this position?” Of course, the pay is the reason why everyone wants a job, so that’s a given. What they are really asking is “Besides the salary/money, what would motivate you to come to work every day and do an excellent job for us?” Understanding the company’s mission statement and the direction they are heading by perusing news articles can help you formulate a better answer. So, again, do your research.

If it is a technical position, be prepared to talk technical, so brush up on your lingo. You should be able to understand specific terminology, especially if you have mentioned familiarity with the field on your resume.

Most people enjoy a good story, so think of a couple of stories that would highlight some of your skill sets and keep them in mind as answers for those ‘how’ questions (like “How do you handle…?” or “How do you do…?”). If it is a position involving customer interaction, an example question might be “How have you handled irate customers?” If it’s an engineering position, you might be asked something like “How do you start new projects?” The company is simply trying to understand how you would handle certain situations. What better way to answer these questions than to provide real scenarios that you have experienced? Not only will these stories better highlight your skill set, but good stories stay in the interviewer’s memory longer after you leave the interview.

During the Interview

Having done all the preparation, you should walk into that interview room with confidence that you are ready for the interview. Of course, if you are like me, you will still be a little nervous. That’s alright. However, do not do the “show up and throw up” routine (that is, telling them everything about yourself and why you would be a good fit for the position before they even ask you one question). Stay calm. Always let them start first. They have certain objectives in mind before coming into the interview, so let them tell you what those are. You may find some interesting things that help you sell yourself. If you happen to run into one of these people who start off saying, “So, tell me about yourself,” give a brief introduction and why you would like to join their company. Then, turn the question around and ask him/her when he/she joined the company and why. This should help get the dialogue going and give you more insight about where he/she is coming from. More often than not, the interviewer will start asking you more specific questions after that.

Often, the interviewer will give you a chance to ask questions by asking if you have any questions for them. Take that chance, and ask questions that you have formulated during your preparation. Once you start asking the questions, you can continue the momentum and take control of the interview, leading it where you want it to go. Try to have more of a conversation than a question-and-answer session. Pause some between each topic to give yourself a chance to take in what they have just said.  

The next-to-last question you should ask so you can better understand your potential employer’s expectations is to ask your interviewer who the ideal candidate for the position would be. Their answer will also help you formulate how you present yourself. Once you understand the criteria, you can talk about yourself and, specifically, how your capabilities fit the description of their ideal candidate.

I called that the next-to-last question because the final question should be to ask for the job. Ask whether the interviewer thinks you would be the right fit for the job now that you have presented your case. If any objection is going to be raised, this would be the time, but at least you will be able to address it. If you leave without asking this critical question, you will be left wondering if there was a concern that you didn’t address during the interview.

After the Interview

A thank-you note is customary for after the interview. Nowadays, most people send a thank-you note by e-mail. There is nothing wrong with that, but I prefer a thank-you card. There is much to be said about a nicely written thank-you note. Instead of mailing the card, however, I would deliver it to the receptionist or someone within the company who can drop it off with the recipient for you. Stop off at a nearby coffee shop, take out your notes and jot down key things mentioned during the interview. Emphasize that you are interested in the position and want to be a part of their company. Of course, this plan will only work if you were being interviewed on site, which happens with most formal and final interviews. Sometimes, if you are being rushed to the airport, this may be difficult to do. However, a thank-you note should be brief. I only put down about 2 to 3 sentences, so you might be able to write the note in five minutes while waiting for the cab. If all else fails, send an e-mail. I don’t suggest using e-cards, as some companies have firewalls that block those sites, possibly preventing your message from going through.

Now, you just have to wait. At this point, you did the best you could, and it is now up to them. If you addressed all of their concerns, you should be in a good position. I know everyone will tell you to relax and not think about, but I honestly have never been able to do that. One of my former bosses told me once that the best thing to do is to apply for another job. That makes sense. Taking on another task will keep your mind off of that last interview and keep you from second-guessing yourself.

I wish all of you luck in your job hunts. We all need a little of luck on our side. In the meantime, please feel free to e-mail me with questions. If I can help in any way, I will.

Wages Survey on Medical Laboratory Technicians and Medical Technologists

I have received a number of questions regarding the wages that an MT or MLT would make. I would like to offer some concrete data for you to examine. A recent survey by the ASCP offers very specific numbers:

MT/MLS/CLS                       Average Wage                           Average Experience
Staff Level                            $26.16/hr ($54,412/yr)                     16.53 years
Supervisory Level                  $31.68/hr ($65,478/yr)                     17.36 years

MLT/CLT                              Average Wage                           Average Experience
Staff Level                            $19.78/hr ($40,768/yr)                     14.43 years
Supervisory Level                  $23.72/hr ($49,338/yr)                     15.68 years

The survey also shows that those certified through ASCP get paid more on average. It also listed the highest paying states for MT to be California with $36.10/hr, Maryland with $32.40 versus Nebraska with $24.66 and North Dakota with $23.78.

If you are interested to know about the compensation and which states to head to with the highest salary, this would be a good read for you. The link for the PDF file is below:

http://www.labsarevital.com/media/Garcia%20E.%20ASCP's%202010%20wage%20survey%20for%20US%20clinical%20laboratories.%20LabMed%202011;42()141-146.pdf

Medical Technologists in Demand

- edited by Ben Mudrak

I want to break away from my series on resumes and the interview process to highlight this topic because I would hate for any research technicians out there looking for employment to miss this opportunity.

I have written about this topic in an earlier post, but the number of medical technologist positions open right now with no qualified candidates is overwhelming. The main reason for this shortage is the ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathology) certification requirement. However, if you have a bachelor’s degree in science, most places are willing to train you and give you time to take the test for your ASCP certification.

At the Veteran’s Administration, you have a year after being hired to take the exam. At Indian Health Services, they will provide training, but it is not clear how long you will have before you need to get your certification.

In Arizona, SonoraQuest is willing to train the right candidates. The one interesting thing to note about SonoraQuest is that MD Anderson is partnering with Banner Health (SonoraQuest’s parent company) to open a new cancer center in Gilbert next month (September 26^th). This new center means genomic testing, and who would be better skilled to perform genomic testing than molecular biology research technicians?

In addition, despite the downturn in the market, clinical diagnostics is on the rise. Every life sciences company is looking to expand their footprint into the area.

There is also the potential to move up quickly. With the current shortage, the average medical technologist is well into his or her 40s. Many of those technologists will retire and make way for new technicians to move into their place, including filling lab supervisor positions. So, if you have been searching for a technician position and not finding much luck in the research area, consider these positions and don't pass them by even if the requirements state ASCP certification requirement.

If you are in Arizona, you can email me. I can direct you to a few places that are hiring and would be interested in speaking with you.

Improving your chance of getting interviewed and hired - part 2

- Edited by Ben Mudrak

Now that you have submitted your resume and done your research on the company that interests you, what’s next? You still haven’t heard back from the recruiter or the HR department, except perhaps in an automated email telling you the reference number for your application. For many companies, the HR person is probably overwhelmed with resume after resume. This is sometimes the reason that companies are willing to pay recruiters to find top candidates. Usually, the fee paid to recruiters is a percentage of your pay, so most recruiters prefer to focus on high-paying positions. If you have experience, you may have a better chance of getting in front of a hiring manager through a recruiter. However, if you are just starting out and have only a little bit of experience, it can seem like you are on your own. My take on this is: why not be your own recruiter? Who is better than you to promote you? Who knows you better than yourself? So, do what the recruiters do.

Get the word out

First, I would suggest getting the word out that you are seeking employment. People will always ask, “What are you doing these days?” This is the perfect opportunity to say, “I am looking for a job or new opportunity. Let me know if you hear of any in your company or industry,” etc. You never know where your next opportunity will come from, but unless other people know that you are looking, they won’t be telling you about it.

Follow up

Second, follow up on every prospect that you hear of. Sometimes people tell you that they heard about a position opening, but can’t quite remember. They’ll say that they’ll try to find out and will let you know. Unfortunately, most people have a short memory span when it comes to tasks outside of their daily routine and job duties. Follow up on that conversation and ask them to send you information about that position. Following up also signals to them that you are serious about seeking employment. Most people don’t like to disappoint, so when you follow up with them and the prospect doesn’t materialize, they will try harder to find out about another job opening for you. Now, you have just recruited some help in your job search.

Volunteer/Part time work

Third, if you are currently unemployed, consider volunteer work or a part-time position. Volunteer work can be very rewarding and can also provide you with another avenue for contacts. Many large corporations have programs to encourage volunteer work by their employees. If you work shoulder to shoulder with an employee at the soup kitchen, it’s easy to start up a conversation and ask for help in your search. For one thing, you already know that the individual is someone who likes helping others. Moreover, this individual can appreciate your work ethic from your work at the shelter. I am not saying to go out and stalk someone at the place where they volunteer or to volunteer just for the sake of contacts. The main reason to enter into volunteer work or part-time employment during your job search is really more about your confidence.

Despite what everyone else might think, what you do does define you. (Well, that’s my opinion, anyway!) If you are not a researcher, a lecturer, or a technician, it’s tough to define yourself in today’s society. When the job that we have keeps us at our workplace at least eight hours out of the day, our coworkers sometimes know more about us than our family members. When you no longer have a job to go to, you lose that social network, and it isn’t easy. I spoke to a number of my friends who experienced some hard times adjusting to this isolation. Every time a job slips away from you, you lose a little more self-confidence. So, although volunteer work can help you gain some connections, its biggest role is to help you retain that confidence in your abilities to reason, to be productive and to socialize.

Volunteer work and part-time employment also help explain any gaps in your work history. Although many employers are more understanding nowadays with regard to unemployment, it always helps to show that you have remained active. Employers may only be able to guess what you have been doing for the past six months in between jobs, but if you show that you have taken the opportunity to do some meaningful work that benefits society and your community at large, you will look more like the guy who is given lemons and makes lemonade. That’s an appealing quality for any company.

The Phone Interview

Let’s say you receive a call or e-mail asking for a time to schedule your first phone interview. Having done all that research on the company, you are prepared. Just in case, do a search for “the company’s name + news” for any developments within the last few days that you might not be aware of. Then, prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Good questions are those about the job, your manager/supervisor, your co-workers, the job expectations, and the company’s future directions. Bad questions are those about money and compensation. Most interviewers will ask you for your salary expectations during the phone interview. I would suggest giving them your current salary as a basis to start from, especially if you know that you would not be willing to work for less. However, if possible, wait until you have gone through the entire interview process and had ample time to convince them that you are the right candidate for the position before discussing salary. You could simply say that you are looking for the right position with the right company and compensation isn’t your focus right now.

On the day of the call, be prepared to have multiple phone lines – a landline and cell phone – as well as your e-mail open. If the interviewer cannot reach you by phone, the last resort will be e-mail. Have a copy of your resume, a notepad, and your list of questions in hand. You know that your interviewer will have your resume in his/her hands, so having a copy in yours can help you see where the line of questioning is going. It will also help jog your memory if he/she happens to ask you about a job that you had a long, long time ago that you still put on your resume. Use the notepad to write down answers to your questions and also questions that you can ask the interviewer later. Almost always, the interviewer will ask you if you have any further questions. Use this opportunity to ask your remaining questions. This will also demonstrate to the interviewer that you have been paying attention to what he/she has been saying. Before you end the conversation, always ask the interviewer what the next step in the process will be. Most often, it will be a face-to-face interview. At this point, it is critical that you ask if the interviewer will recommend you for this next step. If there is an objection, this will be your chance to convince him/her otherwise. Unless you ask the question, however, you will never know. You may leave the interview thinking that it went well and that you will be moving on to the next stage, but you may be wrong.

As it is getting to be another late night for me, I will end this second part here and resume the discussion another day to talk about the face-to-face interview and salary negotiations. Thanks again for following my blog! Again, I welcome any feedback and comments.

Improving your chance of getting interviewed and hired

– edited by Ben Mudrak

I have spoken with many friends and colleagues during their job search, and I hear a lot of the word “wait” -- “I am waiting to hear back.” “I haven’t heard back from the recruiter/hiring manager/HR.” I, myself, have experienced the ‘wait.’ I think we all have. As recently as today, Ed Greene, the owner of edsjoblist.com, forwarded me an email he received from a job seeker talking about the “proverbial black hole that resumes are shoved into” and the lack of “acknowledgement that one was received or even a rejection.” So, how do you keep your resume from going into that black hole and improve your chance of getting interviewed and eventually hired? I would like to offer a few suggestions below. Please feel free to comment and let me know if I am absolutely wrong about something or make a suggestion of your own about what has worked for you.

Let’s start at the beginning, when you first spot that enticing job posting on a company’s website. Instead of just submitting your resume, I would suggest spending a little time to write the cover letter. A cover letter is an excellent way to get the attention of the hiring manager or the HR person and to highlight how your experiences fit with that particular position. If you are new to this role, the cover letter would give you a chance to explain why a hiring manager should take a chance on you. It gives you a chance to list your strengths and the key attributes that make you stand out from the crowd.

On a similar note, you should include a cover letter for a recruiter as well if the posting comes from a recruiter; the cover letter will sell you to the recruiter, so that they, in turn, can do a better job of selling you to the hiring manager. This is one of Ed Greene’s “2 tips.” If you join edsjoblist.com, you will see this tip and his second tip in his welcome letter.

Now, what can you do next? The resume has been submitted -- all there is to do is to wait, right? I have always been a strong believer in making things happen. This is not to say that I don’t have patience, but when you wait, your mind starts to wander; you start getting paranoid and losing more and more of your confidence as the days pass. I usually take this waiting period to research the company and the position. Below, I have listed several sites that I use when researching companies:

The company’s website: More information than you think is available on the company’s own website. Look at their management team and at the news that they have posted on their site. Look up the technology that they use. What are they known for? What do they believe in? Would your own values and goals fit with their mission statement?

Google: Of course, everyone Google these days, but if you filter your search with keywords like “company name + review”, “company name + news”, etc., you can find out if there is any big news about the company’s innovative products or any setbacks the company has had. You might find an article talking about the company’s culture and how they treat their employees.

Glassdoor.com: This is a site that tries to give you an insider’s look at company salaries, reviews and interviews. You can read reviews from current and former employees. The salary range listing is also nice, as it will help you during your negotiations.

Linkedin.com: Of course, almost everyone here is on LinkedIn. I would suggest connecting with people at the company that you are interested in. You can use your connections to reach others outside of your network. You can also look into connecting through your groups as well. I am usually pretty straightforward about it. I would let the person know that I am looking at a particular position at their company and ask if he/she would be willing to talk to me about the company. Some people won’t want to talk, but most people are open to discussion. Once connected, even if that position doesn’t pan out, at least you have made a connection. Most companies pay for employee referrals, so if you are a good candidate for another position, many people would not hesitate to refer you. Plus, everyone would like to bring in good employees to their company. In the end, a company is only as good as its employees.

Cafepharma.com: I have to warn you first that this is a site that must be taken with a grain of salt. Perhaps a lot of salt, as there are a lot of wounds here. This site is a forum board for medical sales and pharmaceutical sales professionals. There is also a lot of foul language on the forum board. I do visit it once in a while to see if anything is said about a particular company. The posts are mostly from sales individuals, but it is interesting to hear what they have to say about the company, the management teams and the products that they are being asked to sell. If you are applying for a scientist position, it’s good to know that the division that you are entering is producing quality, sellable products. Let me know what you think of it. I am very hesitant about posting this link here, but it does give you a better picture of certain companies.

Not only will all of this research prepare you for the interview, but it will also keep you active in your job search. I will end this posting here, as it is getting long and I need to end the day. Please stay tuned for a continuation of this topic in the next blog.