Monthly Archives: December 2011

Unemployment in France at 12 Year High

https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMYUrPrAMsz6NWi5MRYuOA1ffuBYaUd-dkreMsHJZ7jCewkbq_VwThe unemployment in France increased to a 12-year high in November 2011 amid economic slowdown, data from labor ministry revealed Monday. The number of unemployed people in France by 29,900, or 1.1 percent, to 2.85 million in November 2011. From the prior year 2010, the unemployment increased 5.2 percent. The jobless total reached the highest level since November 1999. The statistical office Insee expects the economy to slip into a mild recession in the fourth quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of next year 2012. A survey from the Bank of France showed that the economy will stagnate in the fourth quarter of 2011. With French presidential elections coming up in 2012, the French govt is likely to take additional steps to support the unemployed youth in France

Insurance and Financial Services Sales Job Interview Questions

Question from Sam: Hello, I have managed to get an interview for an insurance and financial services sales position, and now I want your help! New York Life, Prudential and Metlife want to interview me, but I don’t have financial experience. Can you please tell what kind of questions will be asked?

Answer: Here is a list of basic questions they will are very likely to ask you:

• Have you ever been in sales before? If so, what was your closing ratio?
• What do you know about our company/products/industry?
• What is the most difficult problem you have ever solved?
• Explain a time when you have worked effectively under pressure.
• Explain something that you have attempted and failed. What did you do next?
• How do you feel that your personal or academic background fits with the position that you are seeking?
• What do you believe will be the biggest challenges of this position?

The demand-supply situation for job is highly favorable towards the employers, i.e., htere are more candidates than jobs. Try to share examples from your past work, and if possible, ask the intervieweers to call your previous managers, or references on the phone. Positive references help a lot in all kinds of job interviews, from entry level jobs to the senior  executives, and company board positions.

All the best!

Business Executives in Pharma Biotech Industry

Patrick Mahaffy, CEO & Founder, Clovis Oncology
Dan Burgess, CEO & Founder, Rempex Pharmaceuticals
Faheem Hasnain, President & CEO, Receptos
Remi Brouard, Vice President External Innovation, Sanofi-Aventis R&D
Polly Murphy, Vice President, Worldwide Business Development, Pfizer
Mark Noguchi, Gloabl Head of Alliance Management, Roche
Roger Pomerantz, SVP and Head Worldwide Licensing, Merck
Mark Edwards, Managing Director, Bioscience Advisors
George Golumbeski, Senior Vice President Business Development, Celgene Corporation
Kurt Graves, Executive Chairman, Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.
Natasha Hernday, VP of Corporate Development, Seattle Genetics Continue reading