Beginner's Luck! How to Get a Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Job

You have heard the old saying, “Try, try and try again”.  If you have pursued the idea of getting into pharmaceutical or medical sales and have not been successful... keep on trying. 

To help you determine if you have the right background to be considered, here are a few questions commonly asked..

Do you have a four-year college degree? 

A degree (BS or BA) is typically a requirement of most pharmaceutical and medical sales companies today.  If your major is in the sciences, marketing, business or communications, even better.

Do you have any outside sales experience? 

Companies typically seek individuals with at least 2 years of outside sales experience calling on businesses.  This experience in sales can range from telecommunications, cellular, payroll services or copier sales.

Does your resume show a track record of success? 

A high grade point average, scholarships, competitive sports awards and documented sales achievements are all important in showing your “winning” attributes.  You can view a sample resume on our website by clicking on resumes tips.

Do you have “the look”? 

It may sound funny but most successful sales representatives present themselves in a confident manner.  Clean, neat, professional appearances go a long way. 

How hard are you trying to get a job in this field? 

Due to constant changes in the medical market, companies have rapidly changing staffing needs.  Diligence is important in seeking out positions of interest.  Spend time looking for the right job opportunities.  Finding the right position can be a full time job in itself at times.

Learn more about what it takes to get into the industry at www.drugrepsuccess.com, www.pharmaceuticalsalescareer.com and www.pharmaceuticalsales.com

 

Are you networking? 

Networking with physicians, pharmacists, and those currently in a medical or pharmaceutical sales role is your best bet for finding a position.  Many companies offer their employees a “finder’s fee” for helping them fill a position.    Find a local pharmaceutical association in your area and hand out your resume.  A list of these associations can be found on www.pharmrep.com. 

If you find that you meet most of the
basic requirements described above,
chances are this industry is
waiting for you…you're on the right track!