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Frequently Asked Questions |
MSA, Specializing in the placement of sales and marketing professionals with Pharmaceutical and Biotech firms.
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1. Where does MSA have openings? --- MSA makes placements Nationwide. A good rule of thumb is to check our website every 10 days or so for new openings. Our clients usually request us to supply candidates by region. Therefore, current openings may seem predominate in particular regions. We urge you to keep checking because openings can open in other regions at anytime. |
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2. Are all openings listed? --- All current openings are listed here on MSA's website. Please keep checking or sign up for automatic email notification on the menu bar and you will get an email when ever the job listings change. New openings can occur at any time. |
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3. How do I get more information about a position? --- The information provided on our website is all we can share until MSA has your resume on file and conducted a telephone interview. This process allows us to determine your interest and whether you are a potential match for this position. It also shields our Clients, and insures that MSA is credited by our clients for our placements. MSA will then be happy to supply more details, like the company name, profile, products, territory particulars, etc. MSA doesn't want to waste your time so we usually give far more information about a position on our website than other recruiters provide on theirs. |
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4. What company is hiring for the listed position? --- MSA's policy is not to supply the Client's name until we have your resume on file and established that you are a good potential match for the position. Please see question 3. |
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5. How should I contact MSA about an opening? --- To apply for one of the listed job openings you can use the E-Mail link in individual job description Web Page. Here you can attach your resume to the E-Mail in one of the listed formats. This will insures that your information goes directly to the recruiter that is handling the opening. You may use the Contact MSA link on the main menu if you are not applying for a particular opening and want to place your resume in candidate database for furture openings. This link also has our FAX number and a form that you can use if you are unable to use E-Mail to apply for a specific job. Remember, we are unable to give you any more information about position without a copy of your resume. We encourage you to attach a resume to your EMAIL. Please be sure it is in one of the approved formats we support. All resumes are kept in strict confidence, and are not forwarded to our clients without calling you for permission. |
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6. MSA doesn't show an opening in my area. Should I send a Resume in anyway? --- Yes, resumes sent to MSA are placed in MSA's database. Our database is searched whenever new openings occur. Your resume may fit one of these openings and then our Recruiters can directly contact you. All resumes are kept in strict confidence, and are not forwarded to our clients without calling you for permission. |
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7. What happens to my resume after I send it? --- If your resume meets basic criteria it will be entered into our database. If it is among the best received for any of the current positions you applied for, then a recruiter will contact you relatively rapidly. Our recruiters check our database whenever a new opening is received. So you are always in the running for later openings as they occur. |
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8. What are most employers looking for in a pharmaceutical representative candidate? --- For entry level: The minimal requirement is a four-year college, nursing, or pharmacological degree. The vast majority of firms want a little basic successful outside sales experience, preferably in business products. You should be comfortable with science because there is a lot to learn. A professional demeanor, presentation skills, and a confident but not cocky manner will improve your chances. For upper level and specialty positions: These require various levels of successful pharmaceutical, managed care, or other healthcare sales experience. We suggest you check the Career Books link. It has a number of books related to these topics. |
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9. Where can I get more information about the Pharmaceutical / Biotech industries? --- Check the Web Links section of our website. This can point you towards a number of good sources on the internet. The career Books link points to a number of books related to these topics. |
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10. How should I prepare for an interview? --- Develop a clear view of yourself, the company, and the position you for which you are applying. Research the company, their market, and their drugs. There are links and book recommendations here on MSA's website to help you start, and your recruiter can direct you to some other sources. Practice your presentation skills, particularly if you haven't been interviewing recently. Remember that you are selling yourself to meet the of objectives of the interviewers. Gather any supporting documents like sales rankings, copies of awards and performance reviews to make a "Brag Book" that can enhance your verbal presentation. Prepare yourself to close the sale , that is, asking for the position at the close of the interview. |
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11. What should I bring to an interview? --- First the obvious, bring yourself on time, dressed in conservative business attire, well groomed and with a positive attitude. Have at least two clean copies of your resume. Bring a "Brag Book" containing enhancing documentation like sales rankings, copies of awards, and performance reviews. |
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12. Is there a fee charged to applicants for MSA's services? --- Job applicants are NOT charged for the recruiting services of MSA. MSA is compensated by the Pharmaceutical and Biotech firms that are our clients. |
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13. What should I do after my interview? --- Examine your performance and let your recruiter know how you think it went. Even a voicemail message is helpful. With adequate information from the interviewing managers and you, your recruiter may be able to clarify your position and help you determine your next step. |
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14. When will I be contacted after sending my resume? --- Hundreds of resumes are submitted to MSA weekly. You will be contacted fairly rapidly if your resume is judged to be among the best for the given position. If you are not contacted immediately, you may be contacted later if your background matches the criteria for a new opening. MSA has often placed candidates that have been in our database for years. |
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15. How do I start a career in Pharmaceutical/Biotech sales? --- Gain some experience in outside sales if possible. You can find additional help under the Tips & Help Links link. |
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16. Are there openings in my area? --- MSA recruits for positions nationwide. All current openings are listed on the website. Keep checking. Our clients all have national sales forces and can generate openings in almost any location. |
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17. I don't live in the United States, but I would like to apply for a listed job? --- Sorry, MSA is not in a position to help anyone that is currently lives outside the United States. |
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18. Can MSA answer my questions about ... ? --- Unfortunately, MSA is not able to devote resources to answer all general inquires. We are trying to anticipate most of the basic questions here on our website. Time for MSA's recruiters is very limited. They are extremely busy communicating with our client managers and the viable candidates for positions. They review hundreds of candidates weekly. |
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19. How often are new job openings posted? --- Positions are placed as MSA receives them from our clients. This is episodic and out of MSA's direct control. Generally you can depend on changes to our job listings every week or two. Jobs will remain listed until they are filled. |
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20. Are there any intern opportunities with MSA? --- Sorry. As a recruiting firm MSA can not support intern positions. Temporary positions are sometimes available. We also do not represent intern positions for our clients. |
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21. How can my firm use the nationwide recruiting services of MSA? --- Follow the About MSA link. Here you will find information about our services and a special link for potential clients to contact us. |
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22. I would like to make a comment about MSA's Website. --- Please use the Webmaster link for these comments. The Webmaster can only deal with issues concerning the website. |
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MSA | Current Openings | Contact MSA
Join MSA | Web Links | Tips & Help | F.A.Q. | Books