UGGGGHHH! Job Hunting!

[Mama Belle]

So, I am unemployed for the first time in almost 20 years. The last time I interviewed for a job was in 1995. I feel like a total fish out of water. Not to mention I am pursuing a career change ... trying to find something in (what else?) diabetes sales. I am nervous as all get out and have no clue if anyone will even consider me, given my lack of sales experience.

Anyone in the same boat? Anybody have any suggestions about how to get your foot in the door when you have no professional experience in the field?

[Beach bum]

You may not have experience in the diabetes sales field, but you have tons of experience in the diabetes field!

Have you tried maybe getting a job with Cozmo (the pump you're using) or with the meter you use?

Good luck! I've been out of the working world for 8 years now, travel agents practically don't even exist anymore!

[caspi]

I am of no help here - I've been a SAHM for 12 years now and cringe at the thought of going back "THERE"!:eek:

Just wanted to say I KNOW you're going to do great - you have a fantastic personality and will be an asset to any company!!! :cwds:

[WestinsMom]

Let us know how it goes...diabetes sales is my back up plan :)

[Brensdad]

I'm pretty sure that Novo-Nordisk is looking for a diabetes sales specialist in the Denver area........not that I was looking.

[Ella's mom]

Heidi! Although you don't have professional experiance in the diabetes field I would think your personal experiance with diabetes will play a huge factor in getting looked at for employment:)

[Mama Belle]

I'm pretty sure that Novo-Nordisk is looking for a diabetes sales specialist in the Denver area........not that I was looking.

I've been doing searches through indeed.com (which is a super cool way to find job listings for anyone interested) and haven't come across this, but I'll dig deeper and see what I can find.

Have you tried maybe getting a job with Cozmo (the pump you're using) or with the meter you use?

Smith's isn't hiring in this area right now. It seems there are more openings here with MiniMed, but unfortunately they are all management positions which I obviously am not qualified for, not to mention the fact that it would be pretty interesting trying to sell a different pump than the one we chose. We use freestyle made by Abbott which I've also looked into and nada.

I have a back up plan so if I can't find a job in diabetes sales I can always do something in my old field. But, I am looking for a change and would much rather try for something that I know I would be good at and really passionate about.

Just wanted to say I KNOW you're going to do great - you have a fantastic personality and will be an asset to any company!!!

Awww, you're good for my confidence. I hope prospective employers will feel the same way.

Heidi! Although you don't have professional experiance in the diabetes field I would think your personal experiance with diabetes will play a huge factor in getting looked at for employment

That's kind of what I was thinking. I mean I know all the lingo, I know how important the right supplies can be to effective management, I am a total people person. Who better to sell diabetes management products than a person who uses them every single day!?!? Right?

[Flutterby]

I know how you feel.. I'm looking for something 'diabetes' related.. this cake decorating crap needs to go.. I don't need the added stress..

good luck!

[twodoor2]

Can you even get into the diabetes profession from a health standpoint without have at least a nursing degree? For example, if you are a pump trainer or a CDE, what are the prerequisites? Does anyone know?

[Mama Belle]

Can you even get into the diabetes profession from a health standpoint without have at least a nursing degree? For example, if you are a pump trainer or a CDE, what are the prerequisites? Does anyone know?

Well if it is something like a CDE you must be a nurse. But pump reps/pharmaceutical reps don't need to have a medical degree of any sort.

[Flutterby]

Can you even get into the diabetes profession from a health standpoint without have at least a nursing degree? For example, if you are a pump trainer or a CDE, what are the prerequisites? Does anyone know?

I thought about become a CDE, but its quite a bit of work now.. a lot of years.. I don't have that many years LOL.. you MUST have a 4 year degree, but I'm not sure it HAS to be a nursing degree, I know you MUST have some nursing but I don't know to what extent.. plus you have to have nutrional background, again, I don't know if it HAS to be a degree, then you have to go through years of training after you fullfill the other requirements.. I'd LOVE to do it, but I just can't go back to school that long..

[Heather(CA)]

So, I am unemployed for the first time in almost 20 years. The last time I interviewed for a job was in 1995. I feel like a total fish out of water. Not to mention I am pursuing a career change ... trying to find something in (what else?) diabetes sales. I am nervous as all get out and have no clue if anyone will even consider me, given my lack of sales experience.

Anyone in the same boat? Anybody have any suggestions about how to get your foot in the door when you have no professional experience in the field?

Sell yourself, make your weeknesses strengths. Your personality stands out...I'm not worried about you, not one bit!:D

[momtojess]

Good luck with y our job hunt. I hope you are able to find something in the new field you are looking for

I just went back to work last year, after being a sahm or business owner (we owned a video store and the kids came to work with me) for 8 yrs.

[Lee]

Hey -THANKS for the website - I just applied for 3 jobs :D (I don;t like my current job AT ALL - which sucks, after LOVING my last job for 9 years)

[saxmaniac]

I thought about become a CDE, but its quite a bit of work now.. a lot of years.. I don't have that many years LOL.. you MUST have a 4 year degree, but I'm not sure it HAS to be a nursing degree

Indeed, Gary Scheiner is a CDE but his training is in PT, not nursing.

[Mama Belle]

Indeed, Gary Scheiner is a CDE but his training is in PT, not nursing.

Oh true! I guess maybe not in nursing, but I know the requirements are pretty strict. Plus, a lot of endo groups won't use CDEs who are not RNs.

[shekov]

SELF CONFIDENCE SELLS. I have gotten jobs that were WAY out of my league by believing that I could do them (even when my education and experience said otherwise). If you walk in with the right attitude, you'll wak out with a job.
Out of workforce for x # of years = taking time to decide what you really want out of life ...and this job is it! OR x # of years running a ousehold : budgeting your life on one income, managing a number of schedules, ...

Lack of education = tons of personal experience and people skills.

You get the idea....

[funnygrl]

There's a few degrees you can be a CDE. I didn't think PT was one of them. I could be wrong though. I know Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work (though there's been talk of elimenating this option), Nutrition, MD, DO, and probably a few others are choices.

http://gsade.org/cde.htm

I know it's NJ, but I think the requirements are national.

[hold48398]

Hey Heidi! I just wanted to wish you GL with the job hunt! Let us know how it ends! I know you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to! :)

[Mama Belle]

I finally have an interview!!!!!!!!! I am so happy! I have been sending out resumes like crazy and I got a call back this afternoon. It isn't in the diabetes sales field, but it is my fall back option that I have tons of experience with. My interview is on Friday and is with a recruiter. She is pre-screening any qualified applicants before sending them to the client. So, on the one hand it sucks that I'm not meeting with the actual company, but on the other hand at least I have an interview. If nothing else it will be good practice ... I haven't had to interview for a job in a loooooong time!

[Seans Mom]

Congratulations!! and good luck. :D

[frizzyrazzy]

good luck!!! I'll be crossing everything I've got for you! (fingers, toes, legs, arms..)

[caspi]

Good luck, Heidi!!! Just be yourself and you'll do GREAT!!! :cwds:

[Lee]

Good luck! I know you will do awesome!

[Mama Belle]

Thanks guys!!! :D :D