As originally asked by Stephen Glassic.

I have enjoyed reading many of the discussions here (and on several subgroups) and have gained much more insight into the medical device industry but I have yet to find employment. I have also made some very interesting contacts.

Thank you Joe
This is my favorite Linked in group.

Rick Stockton
Product Design (Medical, Scientific, Consumer)
I am about “halfway” in on LinkedIn involvement, but my best consulting work has all come through LinkedIn connections. Had many long weeks, and stayed too glued to assigned engineering work for clients and losing touch with some associates. I am thinking that it is time to dive in to LinkedIn a little deeper.

Lesson learned? I certainly hope so.

James Schulz
Out To Lunch.
Somewhat like Stephen, I’d like to find a job in the Medical Devices field. My connection may be through Quality Assurance. I know ISO 9001. The barrier is that my government regulatory experience is with the NRC rules, not the FDA. I have manufacturing experience. It’s with control systems, not medical devices. My previous title and experience is as a project manager.

I obviously get screened out immediately for on line applications, and am having some luck with finding the hiring manager, but feel I’m not lucky enough.

I understand I must network and network some more. I understand that I have to get in to see the hiring manager. However, I don’t feel I am doing it right and need to reset. Could any of you who have already been successful in this context share your story? I’m in the Boston arena.

Ben Ten Pas
Faith Seeker. Difference Maker. Value Driven. Technology Advocate
Hi everyone I am currently a student and am really passionate about getting into Medical Sales. I was wondering if I could get some insight on the Medical Sales industry and if what I am doing as a student now will set me up with a job in the near future. I am currently a Junior in college going for Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sales with a decent GPA 3.34. I have two part time jobs one being in the Department of Kinesiology and the other working in an outsourcing company that primarily dealing in the healthcare industry. I also have opportunity to move into sales in this outsourcing company. I am part of a couple of organizations on campus dealing in Kinesiology, Entrepreneurship and Christianity. I don’t attend these groups often but when I do I help as much as I can. Lastly, I actually run my own business in my spare time and have been having a lot of success running around $60000 in my first year and a half of running a business on a yearly basis right now and have a game plan to do $250000 next year. I also try to read 2 to 3 personal development books a month to try to develop my people skills outside of networking on a daily basis. I was wondering if any of the working professionals would recommend anything else and if I could improve anything? Also would any of you know of were I could get an internship or an opportunity to work in medicals Sales as a student. I am looking forward to getting responses and want to say thank you in advance.

Bonga Madikane
Advanced Field Service Engineer at Beckman Coulter
Hi there everyone I’m new on this group I saw it then decide to join it. I worked in Medical industry for 6 years then I decided to join a different industry (Renewable Energy), I’ve enjoyed Medical industry and that’s where my passion is at but I want to see how renewable energy goes, maybe I’ll go back to medical if I don’t like it here.

Renewable Energy is booming now here in South Africa, that’s why I joined it.

Brigid Glass
Coaching medical device companies to achieve regulatory quality management system compliance and improve their business
Tim asked about the transition to consulting. I stayed in medical devices because that’s where my passion is. The consistent advice I was given was that it’s all about networking, getting your name out there, and I found this to be so true. My first 6 months were out and about, meeting people, making myself known in the sector (which is tiny in New Zealand). At the point where I was getting desperate and ready to give up, my searching must have reached some critical level and the work started to flow. Key in my efforts was working with MTANZ, the industry association, who gave me many introductions (thanks again, Angela).

I didn’t use the internet for networking, initially. Once on Linked In, my best find was this group and the QA/RA sub-group (thanks to Joe and Rob for doing a great job). As commented above, Linked In is about giving without expectation of return, but, like the rest of life, you do get a return, often in an unexpected way. Now, for me in NZ, the world is a much less distant place, the group of people where I find collegiality (much appreciated when you are in a sole consultancy) has inceased and so has the market where I can seek work.

Tim Anderson
Account Executive-Northwest at Celularity, Inc.
Great discussion. Those of you who leveraged you skills/talents into consulting how did you make that transition? Did you stay in the Medical Device industry or venture into a new market?

Michael Shawver
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Hi Michelle, I just set my wife (RN) up on LinkedIn. As I told her, start making connections. The more people you connect with in your area of expertise, the more opportunities for sharing info and finding work will happen. There are also job opportunities that show up on the right side window of your page. Staying active in groups like this is also a big plus, as is being discussed in this thread. Best of luck to you.

John Strobel
Global Strategy Development and Execution (Medical Device and Industrial)
We formally post jobs on LinkedIn (have a subscription) for this and have had luck finding people; however, I have not had much luck finding candidates by mentioning jobs on the forums(Candidates don’t always read the qualifications). I need to keep a list of contacts and get more involved in the postings as suggested above. This thread rings true as the recruiters and colleagues that have been the most helpful have been the ones who I have helped find candidates or jobs in the past.

Stephen Glassic
Available: Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Electronic/Electromechanical Technician
Based on my background, I would appreciate any suggestions on groups, contacts, skills enhancement, profile, strategies or any other suggestions that will help me in regard to more effectively networking. Please reply here or privately, whichever you feel is appropriate. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them. Thank you, and again, thank you all for your responses.

Stuart R. Taylor
Quality Systems Professional with QE, QA, and QC experience seeking opportunity in Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals
GREAT discussion! I have enjoyed many of the comments. I really like this group. It is by far the best LinkedIn group I am in. And Joe does a great job managing the posts to keep them relevant and free of spam : )

Getting back to Stephen’s original question, my answer is that were it not for LinkedIn, I would probably not have this job right now. I was laid off in June 2012, and found something great by INTENSE and fairly aggressive networking primarily through LinkedIn a little over 4 months later. I have never worked harder than during those 4 months : ) but it was definitely worth it. I have made some great contacts and learned a lot.

J. Michael Warner
Business Owner at Lima’s Gallery 309
Thank You Joe for giving me the link to this discussion. A few years ago I built up a successful group on Linkedin. I needed to move on to other projects so I sold the website and group to one of the members. I learned that openly engaging people on various topics and in various groups leads to amazing relationships and opportunities.

Robert Trinka, MBA
Senior Management: Sales | Marketing | Business Development
@Stephen, great discussion. As others said, we gain by sharing..it leads to our own learning and growing. I suggest not to be discouraged about your job search; the last few years in the US and many countries have been very difficult for job growth and job creation. But, you’re at the right place, this group is a wonderful to meet people and network. Good luck.

Michael Shawver
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
LinkedIn has been a great way for me to stay connected with my colleagues and also for connecting with new people in my area of work -mechanical design engineering. Actually landed my last 2 long term consulting gigs via companies finding me on LinkedIn. I’ve been involved in medical product design work over the years and I joined Medical Devices recently. After reading these posts I realize that it really makes sense to try to participate in group discussions and not just stand by and read. We can all help each other!

Victoria Zande
Owner/President/Creator – alberta~rose incorporated
I will agree with all of the people above that it is a genuine interest in the subject & people who are interested… I always consider myself exceptionally fortunate for all opportunites to get to know & share… It brightens my day…

Stephen Glassic
Available: Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Electronic/Electromechanical Technician
Thank you all for the comments. This gives me new insight into the value of participating in discussions.

Chris Hardwick
YouTube Creator at Chris Hardwick Animal Adventures
I’ve worked at a lot of companies and have seen alot of people come and go thorugh the doors, both good and bad. When I see top talent I want to add them to my contacts here on LinkedIn so if I need to hire someone I already know who they are and how they perform. This is much more professional than Facebook, and phone numbers and e-mails can change. I have a fast growing group of talented chemists and scientists that support medical device companies from start up to market and I’m always looking for the next person to hire. This is a fantastic resorce for me!

Perry Mykleby
Customer Activation, Engagement & Retention
@Todd, thanks for the shout-out.

Answering Stephen’s original post…

I’ve found great value in LinkedIN. Joe’s group is the standout among the 50 to which I belong. It’s been a real asset. I’ve made terrific connections…some of whom have opined in this very discussion.

You do have to get involved if you expect to get anything out of this valuable asset, here in the main Med Devices group, but also the sub-groups. (Let me enter a shameless plug for the Entrepreneur sub-group.)

Having said all of that, I don’t think LinkedIN has achieved its full potential as a job search or talent search tool. If I were a recruiter or hiring manager, I would be looking beyond the profiles and paying close attention to what people are saying and contributing in the discussions. You can get a real sense for how people think, their level of savvy, and their expertise. Seems to me it would be a terrific pre-qual mechanism. Maybe some are already using LI that way.

Wrapping up, I have learned a ton as a result of LI and Med Devices membership. Although I’ve not found my dream assignment yet, the complexion of my search has been much rosier as a result of the Med Devices group, sub-groups and the engaged folks I’ve met here.

Michelle Bonn
President, Guideline Medical
I completely agree with Rob, Joe and Todd. You will gain more than you expect when you become active in LinkedIn for the sake of giving and teaching. Quality connections will naturally come your way. I’ve met amazing and smart people in this group in the last year. More than 150 of my contacts are from this group alone.

Thanks Joe for running such a good group. I’m pleased to run the entrepreneur group as well. I’ve learned some great lessons from other med device entrepreneurs.

The LinkedIn world does work. I have access to expertise, gained new business and met some good friends. Stay active and give guidance without expectation. You’ll then see success.

Todd Staples, MBA
Account Representative, GYN at Medtronic
To any that are members of the group that are not very active and don’t seem to be getting much value out of this Medical Devices Group, I think your answer is right there. There is tremendous value here more so than in other groups that are just filled with spam and a disengaged membership.

Syed Jawad Shah
Trader of Words, Molecules and Medical Devices,
I joined the group in some time back but not very active at all. Indeed I am into industry since 2005 but right now looking for opportunity in middle east, turkey or Europe. would appreciate any help or reference.