We are all taught that there isn't an I in team, but when it comes to interviewing it is important for the hiring manager/team to understand what you have accomplished on your own or what your role/responsibilities were on a group project. When candidates talk in "we" it is assumed they are not able to perform on their own and they need support from team members. When providing examples where you worked on a team, it is best to say "as a team we completed the project on-time and within budget and I was responsible for managing and staying on top of our chosen vendor".

Keep it simple; avoid fancy font and other special effects. Stick to Times New Roman. Prepare in a simple Word format so it can be read easily from any computer. No photos. Always use reverse chronological order, listing your present employer first. Begin with verbs and be prepared to speak to those verbs during the interview.

When looking for a job, keep an Excel spreadsheet listing the companies you have applied to, the title of the position, the date you applied, and if you applied directly to the company or through a recruiter. If you are working with a recruiter, list the company name and the name of the recruiter. This system allows you to easily access and track your search.

When interviewing, always have a brief list of questions that you would like to ask of your potential employer. Being prepared will go a long way in expressing your genuine interest in the position and the company. Remember, while questions about salary and benefits are important; do not bring up these in the initial interview.

When working with a recruiter, forward your CV in a Word document. We need to put our company stamp on the CV when we forward it to the client and a Word document allows us to do that.

The value you bring to a company is a very important aspect as to why you might be hired. Understanding this value that you bring to the table can make all the difference in getting the position, rather than someone else. Be prepared to articulate why the employer should consider you for this role.

When preparing for an interview it is important that you are ready to answer questions in the following four categories: personal, experience, education and career goals.

It is vital to represent yourself in a professional manner during a phone screen. Eliminate all background noise, have a clear signal, and use correct grammar with no slang. Be prepared with your CV in front of you and have a list of questions to ask the interviewee. Only asking 2-3 questions though. Always end the call by thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration.

Even though you have had the seventh interview in a week for seven similar roles, it's essential to treat each one as an individual event and to prepare accordingly. Research the company: The corporate website goes without saying, but look at their competitors too. How do they differentiate themselves?

When you are looking for a new position, contact your references, so that they know to expect a call from the client or executive search firm that you are working with.

Ensure that you have the correct contact information for your references including the correct spelling of the first and last name, their company and title, phone number, and e-mail address.

Questions and answers with a recruiter should really go both ways. Understand the recruiter is trying to qualify you IN, not knock you out of consideration for the position. Recruiters need to know specifics and will ask hard questions. Our best advice is to just be truthful!

Your CV should state the month and year of employment. For example, 3/2010 - 6/2015, not 2010 - 2015.

This allows the hiring manager to account for all of your time at each employer and does not leave any doubt as to whether there is a gap in your work history.

Are you an exceptional employee? Here are some simple questions to help you be the best employee you can be:

1) Are you professional? Do you keep your phone away? Are you on time to meetings? Do you dress appropriately? The best employees know how to keep things professional at all times.

Please be open and honest with the recruiter that is representing you. Having someone on your side who knows what is important to you will ultimately help you find the best position. Playing games about your current compensation package, offers pending, background check issues or layoffs will only cause unnecessary obstacles.

We recently worked with a candidate that was not interested in moving forward with the interview process after an initial phone screen with a member of the medical affairs team. The hiring manager was stunned. The reason: the candidate did not feel the connect with the team member on the phone. For both parties involved it is important to know the candidate always holds the cards.

Preparation is the difference between the top candidate who gets an offer and the one who does not. Take the time to make sure your resume represents you well. Have a plan; listen to advice, and research the market and industry news.

When sending your resume to a recruiter or place of business make sure to save the file with your name listed first. Example: John Smith Resume or John Smith Medical Director. This makes it easier for the recruiter and/or hiring manager to locate your file and not have to search through a list of other documents titled Resume or Current CV.

There are usually three top qualifiers; type of industry experience, location, and specific background. If all three are present, then we start a dialogue with the candidate on their general background and personality match with the hiring manager and/or company.

When preparing for the phone interview, please take the time to do your homework. Research the company website and most importantly read the recent press releases.

When calling a search firm, state your name and the reason for your call. For example, my name is Sarah Smith and I am looking to speak with a recruiter that works in Medical Affairs.

You would be surprised at how many calls we receive where the candidate does not introduce themselves and just starts talking.