Frequently posted interview questions & tips

Common questions which you need to be prepared but yet you are fustrated with such questions as it has been posted over & over again each time you attend a job interview;

Tell me about yourself. Prepare a brief "sound bite" — two to three sentences — describing your professional achievements, qualifications and career goals.
Tell me about your career. Explain what's made you effective in your work, your range of talents and why you want the job.
What are your strengths? Talk about projects you've handled that show your ability to do this job.
What are your weaknesses? Be honest — address a skill that you're developing but would like to improve. However, do no overstate any lack of knowledge. Nor should you proclaim that you have no weaknesses.
What interests you about our firm? Discuss why you would like to work there and how your qualifications match the position. State your interest in taking on new challenges and assignments.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In ten years? Discuss your long-term career goals, such as growth in responsibility or management positions.

What are your recent achievements???Describe your achievements in your current company quantitatively.

The concerns even with all the preparation & assistance from top head hunters when you are called up for a job interview is how to create your competitive advantage especially during this period of hardtimes when the unemployment levels is near a 10 year high, competiting with a pool of other good laid off candidates and worst still new openings/job creations are very limited .

I believe there are no off the counter training & complete guides to guarantee any job interview success as the details of the interviews differs depending on industries, position, job nature etc...but there are a few basic technique & tips used effectively in your preparation may just give you that upper edge to land on your dream job.

There are a few good reference I pick up below which maybe useful if customize to your own needs.

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Job Interview Tips

Career move in medical device industry

Making a career move is more than just a financial decision. It's a personal issue that affects your whole life so whether you’re looking for greater responsibility, a better location, or you just feel its time for change you need someone who listens and understands your situation.

US Medical Devices 2009 OutlookThe Upside
As people in the US and Europe age the inherent demand for healthcare continues will continue to grow. In the US about 13,000 individuals are expected to turn 60 each day over the next 20 years.
Since most of healthcare in the US is linked to Medicare, it turns out that the funding for healthcare will be rather stable.
A major portion of the demand for healthcare doesn't fall under discretionary expenditure, so it won't be hit as hard.
Lower tech products that aren't affected much by state of the economy, such as surgical instruments, as syringes, catheters, sutures, blood products, etc will continue to be in demand.The Downside
Considering the overall demand for healthcare, employment and medical insurance will take a hit.
Since the credit markets are tight, hospitals are likely to regulate and shrink their operations, and spend less on hospital equipment and supplies.
Medical devices and medical instrument required for conducting elective cosmetic procedures may shrink in demand as people postpone such treatments.

In General
Several high technology medical devices e.g. pacemakers may experience a modest growth owing to the fact that these are often used on senior adults funded mostly by Medicare, which is a stable source.
Smaller companies unable to finance their growth will become takeover targets for larger medical device companies with a better cash position.The World Medical Device Market and Trends
The USA is the largest consumer of medical and dental instruments, equipment and supplies. The country's market was valued at nearly $80 billion in 2005. In addition the U.S. medical technology companies are leaders in the world's medical device production.
Over the past couple of years many countries have faced skyrocketing costs of health care just as the U.S., causing some of them to trim costs by cutting back on reimbursement rates, or by introducing price caps.
The competition within the medical device industry has risen and an increasing number of multinational companies are trying to make their mark in the global market. As a consequence, international sales, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions are a commonplace. Further, in order to facilitate expansion, medical device companies are increasingly looking at developing economies as an opportunity to drive future growth.
Increasing expenditures on healthcare viz. hospitals, clinics, public health insurance, etc by governments around the world is driving the global demand for medical devices.As a result of so much activity happening within the industry and around the world, the medical devices industry has been transformed into a truly global industry.

This posting is dedicated for those who are technology savy in the medical device industry & for those thinking of a career switch to this emerging industry. A good link http://www.medicaldeviceguru.com/ to share with interested readers.

Landing at your dream job even during the crisis

Collecting & sharing ideas as well as tips through the following phase in the process of leading a successful path to obtain your dream job even during this period of crisis;

1) Job search
2) Job recommendation networking
3) Resume writing
4) Get shortlisted
5) Interview success tips
6) Remuneration package negotiation, getting what you think you are worth
7) Closing the recruitment deal