HIRING, MEDICAL DEVICE
Connexis Search Group is a permanent placement recruiting firm that places various candidates in the in-vitro diagnostics, commercial reference lab, medical device, and life science industries.
Our clients interview 15-20 candidates weekly, and the observations below represent the feedback we have received from the managers who conducted interviews.
1. The candidate talked too much
This is the most common reason candidates are eliminated from the interview process. Hiring managers want to describe the position they are trying to fill and ask the candidate about their background and abilities, and that's about all they're interested in. Candidates who talk too much do not understand that the interviewer wants succinct answers, not long, drawn-out ones.
If the interviewer asks, "Tell me what makes you successful?” Your answer should be something like this: “I spend a lot of time studying the art of selling, and as a result, my sales techniques are better than most of my competitors.” “Did that answer your question, or would you like me to elaborate?”
The interviewer wants to know you are a good listener since listening to clients is critical for a successful sales call. Sales reps who think presenting (core dumping) information makes a successful call are misinformed.
How you can avoid talking too much:
- Be prepared to answer common interview questions with concise and to-the-point responses.
- If you start going off on a tangent, politely redirect the conversation to the question.
- You can also ask the interviewer if you have answered their question satisfactorily. This shows that you are self-aware and mindful of their time.
2. The candidate lacked energy
We hear this objection frequently. The most challenging thing about this concern is that the “energy level” needs to be defined. It has different meanings for various managers. Some managers are concerned that candidates who are not animated in the interview do not have a good work ethic and are too laid back.
Not being animated does not necessarily correlate to work ethic. We all know people who are not animated but have great work ethics. If the interviewer is looking for someone who is animated and comes across as passionate when they meet clients, then it is hard to overcome this objection.
Depending on the type of clients their sales reps call on, the interviewer may know that a passionate sales rep experiences more success with their customers. There are also circumstances where animated sales reps are inadequate in calling on more analytical decision-makers.
How you can avoid this:
- Get a good night's sleep before your interview, and eat a healthy breakfast.
- Arrive on time and dress professionally.
- Make eye contact with the interviewer and speak clearly and confidently.
3. The candidate did not spend time researching our company
Most people spend more time preparing to go on vacation than they do preparing for an interview. As a candidate, you should want to gain as much knowledge as possible about your potential new employer to ensure that you will work for a great company. There are so many ways to gather information about employers; there is no excuse not to do your research.
Candidates who want to investigate their new potential employers will ask their current clients about their products or services. Seeking out a current employee is an excellent way to gather additional information about your potential new employer. Numerous candidates are eliminated from the interview process because they did not do their research.
How you can avoid this mistake:
- Before your interview, visit the company's website and read about its mission, vision, and values.
- You can also read recent news articles about the company and look for reviews from current and former employees.
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