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www.clinicalprofessionals.co.uk

start
A head

Elaine Ford gives some tips on how to ensure you hit the
ground running in your new role.



L intimidating and far from enjoyable. The length
of time it takes to adjust varies from person to
person and job to job, although some people seem to

But it’s not just about day one; there’s a lot that can
be done in advance. As a new starter, don’t just hope
information about the company and its products turns
up before you start. Ask for information upfront and

started in your new role, you’ll be expected to pick
things up quickly, so anything you can do in advance to
get a head start will be to your advantage.
And, once that’s done, plan the journey you’ll take to
your workplace – as well as some alternative routes in
case there are major hold-ups! You’ll be glad you did
this when you arrive on time at your new job despite
the travel network conspiring against you. It’s also a
good idea to plan what you’re going to wear during the

job can be physically and emotionally exhausting.

On your best behaviour
Once you’ve made it to your new workplace, take
a deep breath. Walk in with a smile, make gentle eye
contact, be upbeat, polite and friendly to everyone you
meet. Introduce yourself and remember that it’s okay
to ask questions: the key to initial success is to become
part of the team and there’s no better way than to ask
for help. People generally like to help and getting to
know other people is important, if only so that you
don’t feel awkward going to the canteen at lunchtime
and get embarrassed trying to understand how the
water fountain works!

when you do go in, you’ll know the routes between the
car park and your desk, your desk and the loo, and your

phone-in checks when out of the office, procedures for

these quickly so you don’t waste time that would be
better spent on your customers.

as well as on their intranets, about the company culture

them. OK, I know it’s not earth-shattering,

‘You’ll earn promotion more but it’s a clever way to get noticed while
accomplishing something important. Even if

quickly if you deliver on targets. you can’t build a relationship with an opinion
leader, write the textbook protocol or avert

Rome wasn’t built in a day and
the suspect adverse event, almost anything

problems will be seen as an improvement. As
it will take a while for you to get you solve problems, you’ll learn more about
the operations of the company and build
to grip with your territory. Look your reputation with your managers, peers
and customers. And, as the office newbie, try

for early, quick wins so you can not to take rejection personally: many people
work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment

present results to your company, and opinion leaders or investigators often have
little time, so chances are you will catch them

or try to identify problems when they’re not at their most receptive.
Toughen up and try to see the situation from

others have left unresolved, take
their point of view. Smile, be friendly, and say
you understand: if you can’t swallow your
pride and be compliant when the situation
ownership and solve them. It’s calls for it, you’re not going to last long.
And, at the end of the day, you still have
not earth-shattering, but it’s a to do paperwork. The pharmaceutical role is
detail-orientated, so don’t be surprised when

clever way to get noticed.’ you’re asked to submit reports, analyses,
spreadsheets, action plans and synopses, for
example. The trick is to keep on top of it and
not to leave it until the last minute when you
and values. Pretty soon after starting a new job, someone will be have to rush something through with needless errors. It is more
able to tell for themselves if these are true or not, but it’s important than dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, it’s an essential part of
to learn how an organisation thinks and what its values are. If the being a successful pharmaceutical physician.

empowered to live the corporate life the way they are expected Expectations
to. As a new employee, you will pick up the vibe about your new Finally, life’s not easy if you don’t get on with your boss. But
your manager has a job to do too and you are a key component.
What you need to do is make sure you understand what his/her
Three important tips: key tasks are, what the accountabilities are and what part you’re
• Pay attention to the grapevine but don’t contribute to it as a expected you to play. Proactively agree time to sit down with your
gossip monger; manager(s) and agree your objectives, key result areas, milestones,
• Continue to arrive early and don’t rush out the door at the end relationship metrics and, above all, know your therapy area(s), your
of the day; and products and identify learning gaps and suggest how they can be
• Avoid the fateful words “that’s not how we used to do it at my
old company” or people may think you should have stayed product approach, get to know the stakeholders and start making
there! yourself visible.

In common with many jobs, you’ll earn promotion more quickly
if you deliver on targets. Rome wasn’t built in a day and it will take a politics will loom large. We’re only human. Situations, emotions and
while for you to get to grip with your territory. Look for early, quick ambition conspire to produce ideal growing conditions for guerilla
wins so you can present results to your company, or try to identify tactics. But that’s a topic for another article.
problems others have left unresolved, take ownership and solve

www.clinicalprofessioals.co.uk

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A Head Start - Starting in a new Pharma role

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A Head Start - Starting in a new Pharma role