Q. I did a little bit of a career shift in the spring, moving into pharmaceutical advertising from a more generalist background. It took a long time and a lot of selling on my part, but I finally landed at a "name" agency. At the end of August, I was put out the door. I'm still not sure why, but that was the sum of my entire experience there. Expectations were never spelled out and I was supposed to know just from osmosis how everything worked, including the FDA/DDMAC regulations. I spent a great deal of time asking for help and feedback right upfront.
However, I got little in the way of feedback or direction and soon realized my questions were not welcomed.
I want to remain, at least for now, in the pharma realm.
Now I have had a headhunter very on top of his game get things underway for me at about 5 different places this week already. I need to address my time at the ad agency so that I don't spend the entire interview focused on that and so that I can spin it in as positive a
manner as possible. I have been saying that the fit wasn't good and I needed to look for a better situation for me. Have any suggestions?
L.B. via email
A.
Plan A: My first reaction is to ask the headhunter what he or she told the client so that you are in synch.
Plan B: If they submitted a resume and got a bite but didn't have a conversation, I would still ask their advice . . . they "know" the client and their taste.
Plan C: If what they say sounds useless or immature, then try this.
"I joined earlier this year because I very much wanted to get into this field. Frankly, it seems like their needs changed and the need no longer existed.
I want to build my career in this sector . . . etc.; I'm sure you know the rest.
In other words, honesty, but simplified.
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