You’ve finally scored the interview of a lifetime in a medical device, healthcare IT or biotechnology position. But regardless of the business, interviews aren’t easy. You know the basics – make good eye contact, dress in a conservative suit. Here’s what you don’t know applies especially to your profession:
Express your knowledge of the field. Seem basic? It might be easier said than done. If you’re applying for a biotechnology position, demonstrate your knowledge about biotech. Talk about the specifics of past positions that relate to your current position – do you have related IT experience? Have you worked in this branch of the medical technology field before? They’ve seen your resume, but you need to give them the full picture. This is especially effective in a smaller company, where expertise in the field is a must for every position.
Show what you would bring to the company by showing them something new. This could be a hot new trend in the field that they don’t know about yet, a new service or technology, suggesting (politely!) an improvement that could be made for the company, or simply an interesting fact about the field. This ties in to the first tip – the more you show them what you know (and what they don’t) the more you create demand for you to fill the position.
Understand that smaller companies don’t have a recruiting department, so you’re essentially talking to the leader(s) of the company. This means you aren’t talking to somebody in H.R., but somebody you’ll be working with directly in the future. Adjust the interview style accordingly.
Make sure to meet every member of the team you’ll be working with. At small and medium sized companies, this makes a special impact. It shows that you can interact with everyone effectively and work as a part of their team. If the interviewer doesn’t offer to show you around, insist (firmly but politely) that you would like to meet everyone.
Please contact us to learn more about our expertise in Executive Search for Commercial Leadership positions in Medical Device and Biotechnology; including Marketing, Strategy, Sales Leadership, Training, Development, etc. We look forward to the opportunity to help you consistently improve your performance and your business!
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