7 Tips to Become more Organized

Posted on by August 13, 2013

Clinical Recruitment One of the key elements to success is to have strong organizational skills. Organization is an excellent indicator of professionalism and the ability to prioritize. In any company as you climb the ranks, you take on more and more responsibilities…and with more responsibilities there are more things to track, record, and prioritize.

Some great ways to organize your work include:

1. Make Lists: Lists are a great way to determine what is needed to be accomplished that day. Prioritize your list by ranking the items by level of importance, than level of difficulty or time needed to complete the task.

2. Categorize Your Work: Many programs on Windows allow you to use customizable folders which you can use to categorize e-mails, documents, or files by what department they are associated in.

3. Calendars: Calendars are excellent tools to use to start your day off right! Personally I have use a white board calendar at home where I mark my appointments, I use my daily planner every day, and I have a calendar I use through outlook where I can see my meetings. I also highlight important e-mails that I need to follow back on by flagging them in Outlook.

4. Color Coding: Personally I highlight items in my planner with different colors depending on if I need to follow up on a certain item or if a meeting I have scheduled is intended strictly for me or one of my colleagues. It’s also a great idea to color code folders!

5. Have a Back Up: Save, save, save your work! You never know when you’ll be in the middle of writing a report and your computer crashes. Save your work every couple minutes. In the event your computer does crash, you should get in the habit of saving all important documents on a USB drive. Not only will it be a good back up plan, but it will also allow you to carry you work with you as you travel.

6. Time Management: You must value your time. Get into the habit of working with only confirmed appointments. You must set the precedence up front that you are indeed busy. If someone wants to work with you, they must be able to respect your time and value theirs. You should also stick to a routine schedule to make yourself more efficient.

7. Plan Ahead: Planning events ahead of time will remove stress in your life. It will also allow you to plan for the worst case scenarios as they do happen! Being prepared in any situation will give you the upper hand and will allow you to maintain control of any situation.

By utilizing these tips you will be able to accomplish your work more effectively and efficiently. If you have organized your work appropriately, you should have additional time left in the day to enjoy the things you love!

Written by: Jessica Nguyen

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Why Networking is Important in Job Searching

Posted on by July 14, 2015
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Check out this article from Levo League on networking!

Do you ever find yourself wanting to reach out to someone but hesitate to do so for fear that they will either ignore you or question why you are bothering them? If so, then please read our article How the Job Search Has Changed that will give you information relative to networking that you need, to make you more secure in the knowledge that you did not miss out on any opportunities. You can also follow us on Pinterest and Like us on Facebook!

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Betty Crisp
www.craresources.com
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Are you considering a career change? We are a niche clinical staffing firm! Sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Interviewer?

Posted on by September 11, 2013

Interview Questions, Interview, Job Seekers, Interviewer

Do you put a bit of thought into the types of questions that you need to ask the interviewer who is interviewing you? There are several things that you, as a prospective employee, really need to know (i.e. what the work environment and the corporate culture is, and the goals of the company). You will also want to know how your work performance will be measured, as well as what types of career opportunities there are.

Please read our article Yahoo’s Who Haven’t Looked at the Company Website Before Their Interview, and follow our job seeker tips to help you put your very best foot forward during your interview, then opt into our email marketing campaign for advice!

You can also follow us on Pinterest, and Like us on Facebook!

Written by: Betty Crisp

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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How to Handle a Layoff

Posted on by May 20, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentIn this economy, unfortunately layoffs are inevitable.  When a layoff happens, of course you want to ensure you have covered yourself regarding benefits, unemployment, severance, etc. (see a great article on this on About.com).

However, beyond this initial reaction, what should you consider when regrouping and working towards obtaining a new position?

  • Don’t burn your bridges – you are going to need your network: You may be in shock after being laid off, heck you may even burst into tears.  It is hard to lose a job and many people go through the mourning cycle experiencing denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.  From my recruiting chair, here are some things to keep in mind as you do go through these typical stages of grief over losing your job:
      • Be in a position to ask for references.  Being laid off cannot be “undone” so getting angry and blasting the HR person stuck with giving you the bad news is going to do nothing but leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.  Not only do you not want to put yourself in a situation to regret anything you said, you also want to ask for references.
      • Tell your colleagues.  There is nothing wrong with telling your team members that you were just laid off as long as you are calm and professional as you do it.  These are people in your network and not only will you want to work with them in the future, but they may know of someone who is hiring now.  Leverage those relationships!  For more information on this topic, check out our article on How to use your Network when Job Hunting
  • How to reflect the layoff on your resume: Be honest.  Being laid off is not an indication of poor job performance and anyone who judges you for being laid off has not been paying attention to the world around them.  We recommend you put it on your resume under the dates of employment:  Company, Job Title, Dates of Employment, and Reason for Leaving. For more information on how to tweak your resume, check out our resources here:  Resume Tips
  • Should you take short term positions or positions you are overqualified to do? In an ideal world, you would be allowed to take some time off and reassess your career goals.  If possible, don’t be hasty and take a permanent position not in alignment with your career path if you don’t have to.  We would recommend you consider consulting while you are holding out for that long term dream job.  Being a consultant gets you back to work quickly without causing a negative impact to your credentials.  We do understand, however, that depending on your financial situation and personal responsibilities, you may have to take something that doesn’t align with your career path or future goals.  If that is the case, feel free to reach out to us for advice on how to represent this on your resume.

You will find a new job. Align yourself with a good recruiter, write an outstanding resume and cover letter, brand yourself on LinkedIn, and then start preparing for those interviews You will be back to work in no time!

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Job Seekers, should you work with Niched Clinical Recruiting Agencies?

Posted on by May 20, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentChoosing the right recruiter is critical while searching for new jobs. And, with such a wide array of staffing agencies to choose from, I am sure it may feel like finding the right firm may be harder than finding the right job!

In December of last year Angela wrote an article outlining 5 Tips to Identify a Great Recruitment Agency. It is a great article so if you haven’t read it, I would invite you to check it out; however, I felt we may have missed one important point.

As you know, there are basically two types of recruiting firms: recruiting firms that recruit across many industries and niched recruiting firms focusing in one specialized area. It is important to note why we believe you, as a job seeker, should select a recruiting partner which is constantly focused and immersed in your specialty. Here are a few benefits we believe you will enjoy while working with niched recruiters.

Knowledge of the Field

  • Niched recruiters work with industry professionals every day and because they are experts in your specialized field, they will have a broader network to leverage. Believe me when I tell you, that all job seekers want a recruiter with a large network!
  • If you are newer to the industry, a niched recruiter can help advise you on which jobs may best fit your work experience and education. Along the same lines, a niched recruiter may be able to provide guidance regarding additional education or certifications needed, or how to “break into” a certain position or role.

Industry Trends

  • Niched recruiters are more aware of developing trends, which can help you find new emerging job opportunities.
  • Knowledgeable industry recruiters can better prepare you for interviews with Hiring Managers by offering discipline specific information.
  • Recruiters specializing in your industry are more familiar with compensation trends and can provide better guidance on what salary or hourly rate you should be negotiating.

At the end of the day, because niched recruiters are focused solely on your specialized industry, they are engaged in the same things you are interested in. In return, they understand the language you speak and are able to have a more knowledgeable discussion with you regarding your desired position. For a more personalized relationship, working with niched recruiters with their specialized knowledge and dedication to the industry would be our recommendation.

Written by: Meghan Tooher

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Is Your Remote Team Effective?

Posted on by May 16, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentWorried about how productive and efficient your telecommuting team members are?  I would be surprised if you actually stated that you are NOT concerned.

As a hiring manager, you probably already know there are many advantages to providing a telecommuting option to your team members.  Being able to work from home can provide better work/life balance and can reduce your team members stress levels.

But the disadvantages can be many.  So how do you help your team members be effective telecommuters?

Setting expectations right up front is crucial. These expectations can include things like hours of work, availability for meetings, response rate to emails and telephone calls, and other similar areas.  I actually recommend you put these expectations in writing and make it clear to your team member that the continuation of a telecommuting status depends on their successfully meeting your expectations.    If you would like a template for this, just let me know and I will be happy to email you one.

Jointly set performance goals.  I am hopeful you already have a personnel development process in place and consistently work with your team members to set targets and individual performance plans to meet their individual goals.   But did you know that challenging your team member to focus on continual improvement becomes even more important when your team member is remote.  Why?  Passionate people are switched on and focused.  You want your remote team members to be involved even though they don’t see your smiling face every day, and them having personal goals aligning with your company goals will do just that.

Establish clear performance metrics.  Distractions happen!  Laundry needs to be done, children get sick, and repair men have to be scheduled.  The old adage “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” is not going to be effective with your remote work force as holding your telecommuters accountable is critical.  Make it clear to your remote team member that their work-at-home results are expected to be as good or better than the results they achieved while in the office.

Ensure a firm communication plan is in place.  One if the largest disadvantages of telecommuting is that the team member loses the face time with you and the rest of the team.  Establishing a regularly scheduled daily huddle with all the team members (remote or in the office) will ensure everyone is on the same page.  Additionally, don’t make the assumption that because your remote team member isn’t asking questions or raising issues that everything is okay.  Be sure you are dedicating some one-on-one time with your telecommuter to ensure they are getting what they need to be effective.

In any type of work environment there will be disadvantages and advantages.  Having a plan of action can ensure your remote team is effective, with the hopeful outcome of keeping your team members happy while still meeting the needs of the business.

Written by Natalie Prigge

Dedicated to Every Client’s Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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How to Become a CRA

Posted on by March 27, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentAny Clinical Research Associate (CRA) will tell you that the path to get there was not easy! Many CRAs have a nursing or medical background and in many cases experienced a steady career progression from the Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) role.  While there is no definite career path to becoming a CRA, here are some good tips for CRCs wanting to transition into monitoring.

  1. Create a LinkedIn Profile: There are literally thousands of CRAs, Clinical Managers and Clinical Recruiters on LinkedIn and you should connect with them to build your network. If you want to change roles, you have to be found, and building a quality LinkedIn Profile is a great first step.
  2. Network with companies and groups on LinkedIn:  There are hundreds of targeted Clinical Research LinkedIn groups as well as groups for CROs, Pharmas, Medical Device and Biotech companies.  All of these groups have active discussions and job boards.  Join these groups and participate!  But be careful; if you aren’t perfectly professional in every interaction, your bad impression will cost you.
  3. Network with other CRAs:  If you are currently a CRC, you have valuable insider knowledge as to what CRAs are specifically looking for when they come to your site. Be sure to network with the CRAs who monitor your clinical sites so you can leverage who they know and what they know.
  4. Do Your Homework: Understand the main differences between being a CRA versus being a CRC.  For example, patient interaction is a primary focus for a CRC and it is your number one concern to ensure patient safety.  A CRA, however, typically doesn’t have that direct patient contact and while the CRA also cares about patient safety, the role is mostly focused on the adherence to the Sponsor’s protocol and FDA regulations. So if having that patient contact is important to you, becoming a CRA may not be the best fit for you.
  5. Take Classes: You can become a certified clinical research professional through ACRP and SoCRA. Are you weighing if becoming certified it is worth it?  We have a blog post outlining the pros and cons of holding a CRA certification, but you should visit (www.acrp.org) and (www.socra.org) for more information. 
  6. Apply to CROs: The “big 5” are currently Quintiles, PPD, PAREXEL, PRA International, and ICON. These companies are well known for their training programs and after working with them for a couple of years you will be incredibly competitive.  You should apply as an entry level CRA and try your luck!

We do realize how difficult it is to “break” into the CRA role, but it isn’t impossible!

Written by: Jessica Nguyen 

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Are you considering a career change? If so, sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.

5 Common LinkedIn Mistakes

Posted on by March 27, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentLinkedIn is powerful.  We highly recommend LinkedIn as this social media platform is an incredible outlet for finding new career or consulting opportunities.  In October of 2011 we published a blog post titled “How to use your Network when Job Hunting”, and LinkedIn took center stage.

However, one thing we didn’t address involved what we call the “LinkedIn Use Protocol”.  Be advised that LinkedIn has different etiquette rules than Facebook or Twitter because the purpose of LinkedIn is to make professional connections rather than social ones. The most common LinkedIn mistakes we see people make include the following:

1.)   You are selfish:  When was the last time you selflessly endorsed someone on LinkedIn?  You just worked with a great project manager or an incredible Study Coordinator; so why haven’t you given them a recommendation on LinkedIn without requesting anything in return?

2.)   You are lazy:  Don’t fall into the trap of only making connections when you need something.  If you wait until you need a job and then send mass invitations, your effectiveness will be compromised and you will reek of desperation.  Your professional colleagues want to help those who help themselves, so continually work on building and nurturing your network.

3.)   You don’t have a strategy:  Building a good network means hand-selecting people who can benefit you professionally (and you them). It isn’t about the size of your network, but the quality of your connections and you should continually be taking advantage of developing your network through referrals, colleagues, and team members.  Don’t forget to leverage your existing network by sending invitations or introduction requests to 2nd or 3rd LinkedIn connections.

4.)   You are inappropriate: LinkedIn is not YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook. As a professional network building platform, LinkedIn is used to connect people to potential hiring managers, employers, customers, or clientele. You are building your personal brand in every interaction and once you put something in writing, it is in stone.  Always maintain your professionalism.  Always check your spelling.  Always check your grammar.  Always use your brain.

5.)   You aren’t paying attention to the details:  There are two areas where we see individuals consistently missing opportunities to build their brand on LinkedIn.

First:  Have you overlooked LinkedIn Today?  Are you overlooking discussions going on in your current network?  Participating in ongoing discussions and sharing articles is a great way to connect to thought leaders and to join their networks. This type of quality activity will drive traffic to your page and can bring hundreds of new connections!

Second:  Are you using the generic connection request? How special do your future colleagues or hiring managers feel when they get the standard “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” invitation? Personalize your request, and make that prospective client or boss appreciate the value you bring to the table and therefore be incented to accept!

Written by Jessica Nguyen

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Are you considering a career change? If so, sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.

5 Tactics to Toughen You Up

Posted on by March 26, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentWouldn’t you agree that where you end up professionally is largely based on what you feel you can control, accomplish, and contribute?  Said differently, doesn’t your personal belief system help to establish (or demolish) your career path?

A great article by Geoffrey James of inc.com perfectly illustrates 8 Beliefs That Make You More Resilient.  As we read that article, we started thinking that even though Geoffrey’s thoughts are spot on, they do not address an area we feel is critically important.

Let’s face it, the workplace can be brutal and if you have set any type of career objectives for yourself, wouldn’t it be helpful to know how to leverage your belief system in order to create tactics to toughen up so you can work towards achieving your targets?

First:  Create a daily success / failure list.  Not only should you celebrate your successes, but you should evaluate what you did to accomplish them.  Were your daily successes accidents or the results of method and discipline?  Additionally, truly analyze your failures so you can learn from them.  Ask what you could have done differently to affect a different outcome and put action plans into place to ensure you don’t repeat those same mistakes.

Second:  Set goals.  Real goals.  Goals which are measurable and have due dates. Goals that will stretch you and give you a feeling of accomplishment once you obtain them.  “Almost” achieving your goals is a failure so write these goals down in a way that indicates you absolutely will obtain them, using phrases like “I will…”  Then read those goals daily in order to stay focused.

Third:  Create a plan to obtain your goals.  I agree with Geoffrey in his statement that “…if I don’t take action, I will fail by default…” ¹.  So build an action plan which will identify steps to be taken for you to obtain your goals.  And then, simply execute!

Fourth:  Always focus on doing the right thing.  Napoleon Hill stated: “I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice, therefore I will engage in no transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects.” ²

Fifth:  Be afraid but do it anyway.

John Wayne said “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”

Winston Churchill stated “Success is not final, failure is not fatal:  it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Theodore Roosevelt declared “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

And craresources believes:  “Success is just a result.  Failure is just a result.  Fail as fast as possible so you can learn what not to do.”

Co-Written by: Jessica Nguyen and Angela Roberts

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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(1)  Geoffrey James “8 Beliefs That Make You More Resilient” http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/8-beliefs-that-make-you-more-resilient.html?nav=pop

(2)  Napoleon Hill “Laws of Success” Copyright 1928, published by The Ralston University Press, p245

Are you considering a career change? If so, sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.

Top 25 Oddball Interview Questions

Posted on by March 26, 2013

Thanks to: Glassdoor.com

Clinical RecruitmentPart of our offering is to prep our candidates for their phone and face-to-face interviews.  We go through the entire gambit of helping the candidate research the company, coaching them to handle behavioral / situational questions, and being ready to “defend” their skills and qualities to their interviewer.

This seems like a pretty typical, tame and expected interview prep method…right?

But some companies throw a wrench into the works and ask crazy, oddball interview questions.  Recently Glassdoor highlighted some remarkable questions which led us to give some deep thoughts into why these interview questions may be so blooming popular in some organizations.

Why do you think companies want to shock you, challenge you, or otherwise catch you off guard during an interview? 

For example, one of Forrester’s questions is “How many cows are in Canada?” ¹ I would love to hear what your thoughts are on what Forrester is truly looking for from the candidate when posing this question.

Or better yet, Dell likes to know what song best describes your work ethic? ² I thought long and hard about this one and mine would be “Fight Another Day” by Addison Road

For more oddball questions and to go that “extra mile” when prepping for your next interview, check out Glassdoor’s 2013 list and get creative!

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Are you considering a career change? If so, sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.

PS:  For other information on how to prep for interviews, check out our interview section and always shout with questions!

(1) (2) : Glassdoor:  http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/top-25-oddball-interview-questions/