Here is a this week's story and then information from Susan Kirchenbaum, owner of Greenburg, Kirshenbaum, voted
among the best recruiters in New York by Time Out. She was kind enough to take a
cold call and offer some high-dollar advice.
The story:
Having a strong background in medical sales. Katie R. applied for a position at CareFusion,
a global, medical tech corporation based in San Diego.
Her first interview was over phone, then a face-to-face with
a CareFusion rep in Denver.
After that, the company then flew her to southern California, put her up
overnight and she interviewed with the Vice President of Sales.
Back to Denver and an interview with the head of strategic
sales.
The next interview was in Minneapolis. "I thought it went so well, and
I'd gotten information from a friend inside the company that I was the only remaining
candidate," Katie noted. But that, my friends,
was that. Four months, four interviews and two cross country trips and
the whole thing came to a halt.
Katie was told the position had been filled and she was
ruled out because she was not employed at the time and therefore had no current
sales experience.
Tips from The Dark Side
Susan Kirshenbaum is New York - no nonsense funny. She was slightly perplexed at why I'd
call her and ask stupid questions, but kind enough to answer them.
When queried about why a company would spend the money to
interview, fly and hotel someone, then not hire them, she explained.
"Companies have budgets for things like that. They've got the money and they wouldn't spend it if they
weren't looking for the best."
That's where she suggests applicants try to leave emotion behind and take the broad view. "If
you're trying to get a job, it's a very personal endeavor," says Susan,
"but at a big company, it's not about you. It's what they need to fill their job. If they want you, they'll be back in
touch. Most companies are remiss
about contacting applicants after they've been ruled out, but this isn't a Don
Draper world anymore. Grow some
thicker skin."
Susan added a little more from the company perspective. "You could be fantastically
interesting on so many levels, but if you don't fit into their puzzle, to the
company, it's not going to work.
It's your obligation to be very aware of everything about the company,
look people in the eye, and write a damn thank you note."
From my perspective?
This is where you say, "I've had a lovely time. It simply wasn't this one." That's Groucho's quote.
