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I had a candidate who I sent in for an interview several months ago that told me he had been on a ride along and knew “the day in the life of a pharmaceutical rep.” I was short on time since the manager I was working with wanted to meet with him before vacation so I sent the candidate in without having had time enough to quiz him on his understanding of the business.
I received a call from the manager after the interview and was told he wanted to pass over the candidate. When I asked the pharmaceutical sales manager why he wanted to skip this candidate he told me the candidate needed to find out what a “day in the life of” is really like.
The manager went on to tell me that the candidate told him a typical pharmaceutical rep will see 20 - 30 doctors each day and see each doctor for about 30 minutes each. If you do the math you will quickly realize this is impossible to accomplish in a given day and in reality each physician is more than likely going to give you anywhere from thirty seconds to two minutes to state your case.
In conclusion, be sure you do your research and if possible go on a ride along with a pharmaceutical reps before you step foot into your first pharmaceutical sales interview.
If you think you have what it takes now why not use our service and have your resume sent to over 100 pharmaceutical sales recruiters at the push of a button for only $11.99 HERE
I remember trying to get my first job as a waiter in college. I went from restaurant to restaurant applying away but was turned down since I did not have any experience. I often wondered if waiters were grown outback in a flower pot. One day a friend of mine told me to apply as a buser or work washing dishes and work my way up. I took his advice and soon found a job as a buser and six month later I was moved up and landed my first job as a waiter. Sure, there are always those luck few that apply without experience and land a job right away as a waiter but I had to work my way up, the same can be said for pharmaceutical sales jobs.
If you really want to get into pharmaceutical sales I suggest you start by working a B2B outside sales job first. Most pharmaceutical companies want to see a proven sales history and the ability to manage an outside sales territory. Specifically many of my clients liked to hire from companies like Paychex, ADP, Xerox, Pitney Bowes, and even Enterprise Rent A Car.
If your current job has you sitting behind a desk and you really want to get into pharmaceutical sales start by getting an outside sales job and you may find yourself in your dream job within six month to twelve months.
If you think you have what it takes now why not use our service and have your resume sent to over 100 pharmaceutical sales recruiters at the push of a button for only $11.99 HERE
Here is a “getting into pharmaceutical sales” quick tip when using online job sites. Applicants who add a recent phone number are more likely to be contacted vs those that post their email address only. Monster.com and careerbuilder.com have millions of resume to choose from. 9 times out of 10 pharmaceutical sales managers, pharmaceutical recruiters, and those in human resources are short on time.
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For those of you looking to get into pharmaceutical sales or medical sales try loitering outside your local hospital or physicians office. Loitering may not be he best word choice since your going to be selling yourself not hanging outside your local 7/11. Print up several dozen copies of your resume, dress to impress, and get ready to meet and great every pharmaceutical sales rep or medical sales rep that enters the hospital or doctors office. It wont be too hard to identify a pharmaceutical sales rep. Most pharmaceutical sales or medical sales reps will have a badge with their name and company name listed on it as well as bag containing samples of the product they are marketing.
When you spot a pharma rep be sure to introduce yourself as a job seeker, ask if you can hand them your resume, be sure to ask for their business card, and thank them for taking the time to talk with you. You may even ask the rep if they would ever have time to sit down with you for a cup of coffee and discuss what the day in the life of a pharm rep is like. Let them know you are committed to break into the industry and will do whatever it takes to do so.
As soon as you get home be sure and send the rep a very brief email thanking them for their time and any assistance they can provide. I have heard about job seekers who have done this and the rep they contacted was so impressed they sent the resume to their boss recommending her or she look at this applicant the next time a job opens up. Many employed phama reps are paid a small finders fee if they recommend an applicant who is later hired.
I once had a close friend (he is a medical device rep) call me about a job seeker he met at a local hospital. I just happened to have an open pharmaceutical sales position in the same area and called the manager I was working with about this candidate. The manager was immediately impressed at the fact this applicant wasnt simply sitting on monster.com waiting for someone to call her, she was in the field cold calling pharma reps and doing what a good sales person does, selling!!!! She ended up getting an interview and also getting the job. The good news, if 500 people read this suggestion I bet 5 - 10 will actually do it…be that 5 - 10 and you will separate yourself from the rest of the pack.
Come back later for more tips and if you’r in the job market look into our resume blasting service. For as little as 11.99 (price subject to change) you can quickly email your resume to dozens of pharmaceutical and medical sales employers and recruiters. Click here to get blasting
