Give Them What They Want

A recent survey of physicians throughout the United States indicates that most doctors have specific desires when it comes to working with the pharmaceutical sales representatives. Most doctors desire a pharmaceutical sales rep who will not only do their best to protect the rights of the doctor and of the patient, but will also provide them with in-depth information on new products and new developments. They also hope to find pharmaceutical sales reps who will concentrate on the patient's well-being, meaning they will do their best to ensure that doctors prescribe the correct drugs for any given ailment.

More importantly than that, most physicians indicated that they looked for a pharmaceutical sales rep who spoke to them on their level. They had no desire to discuss products and services with a salesman. Instead, they want a health professional who is just as interested in the well-being of their patients and the protection and productivity of any given medical practice as they are. If you're looking to break into the pharmaceutical sales industry, it's a good idea to obtain an adequate pharmaceutical sales education.

Just getting your degree will not be enough to secure you a position with a prominent pharmaceuticals company. On top of that, you need to know the ins and outs of the business, how to produce a successful interview, what your resume should look like, and how to relate to doctors on a level that will keep them longing for more. There are definite tricks to working in the pharmaceuticals industry. Yes, you are a salesperson -- but more importantly, you are a health professional.

You will be required to get creative when it comes to giving doctors what they want. Most doctors desire a relationship with a pharmaceutical sales rep who is professional and personable. However, more than that, they long for free drug samples. Some pharmaceutical companies have guidelines that restrict the distribution of certain sample drugs. A good pharmaceutical sales representative will be able to work around the doctor's desires and meet their company's expectations. So what does it take to be a good pharmaceutical sales representative? Well, it takes someone who can meet all of the requirements is listed above, as well as someone who can pass a pharma interview with flying colors and maintain a good rapport with physicians and their management as well.

If your ultimate goal is to obtain a position with a prominent pharmaceuticals sales company, consider going online to do some research and select a course of study that will allow you to better learn the ins and outs of what a recruiter is looking for in a pharmaceutical sales interview. Remember, knowledge is power -- the more you know, the more power you will have. This power can go far beyond your interview and last long into your career.

Tips for Becoming a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep

Becoming a pharmaceutical sales representative can be an enjoyable and lucrative experience. The pharmaceutical sales representative is typically a physician's primary source of product information and resources available to help promote the well-being of patients during visits to a particular practice. However, the information given to a particular physician is only as good as the amount of knowledge possessed by the pharmaceutical sales representative. Read on to learn more about becoming a successful pharmaceutical sales representative.

The first step you should take toward a pharmaceutical sales career is to obtain your bachelor's degree. While some pharmaceutical sales companies currently do not require a bachelor's degree to obtain a position, as time passes, more companies are requiring at least a four-year degree even to get your foot in the door. Many people find a degree in science to be helpful. The reason this degree is considered so desirable is because a science degree will help a potential pharmaceutical sales representative to better understand the actions and mechanisms of various drugs and medical substances.

You may also find it beneficial to take a few business courses throughout the time you spend at your university of choice. Because the duties of a pharmaceutical sales representative often involve marketing skill, it's a good idea to take business classes that are geared toward the development of marketing strategy.

As you approach the time when you'll first be applying to different pharmaceutical companies, it's a good idea to secure an internship program first. Many college campuses offer recruiting opportunities to major pharmaceutical companies. Do your homework and ask around to find out if any of the universities in your area will be holding such a job fair.

After you've begun to build a network of pharmaceutical professionals, consider extending your education. Taking an at-home course will allow you to gain insight into the pharmaceutical sales industry, as well as learn the ins and outs of the interview process, tricks and tips for constructing a good pharmaceutical sales resume, and a host of other information that is specifically designed to help promote you as a pharmaceutical sales representative.
Once you have obtained an adequate level of education and you know the secrets of the industry, you'll find it much easier to have the confidence it takes to approach a pharmaceutical sales recruiter at both major pharmaceutical companies and smaller startup pharmaceutical companies as well.

Educational Requirements for Becoming a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep

If you’re considering a career in pharmaceutical sales, chances are you’ve already become concerned as to the requirements you will have to meet prior to submitting resumes and setting up interviews. Let’s explore some of the steps (both necessary and simply beneficial) you should consider taking as you make your journey toward a pharmaceutical sales career.

First of all, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Do I need a bachelor’s degree to become a pharmaceutical sales rep?” The answer to this question is a two-part answer. A four year degree is not necessarily a requirement to become a pharmaceutical sales rep. In fact, some companies will hire sales representatives with simply an associate’s degree. Other companies will also consider hiring registered nurses who have a successful career track record.

However, today most large pharmaceutical companies do require that potential applicants have a bachelors degree. It is also predicted that, over the course of the next three to five years, even the smaller pharmaceutical companies will require at least a bachelor’s degree as well.

The degree paths that prove most successful when embarking on a pharmaceutical sales career fall into the science category. Individuals with a medical background, degrees in biology, chemistry, and other physiological sciences typically do very well as pertaining to the application and interview process to become a pharmaceutical sales rep.

The good news is that even if you don't have one of the science degrees you are still a hot commodity for pharmaceutical sales companies. Any bachelor’s degree is an asset to applicants. There are a large variety of pharmaceutical sales representatives who have degrees in something other than science and medicine. For example, some popular degree choices among sales representatives include education, sociology, accounting, finance, and even agriculture! The bottom line is that simply having a four year degree will help get your foot in the door with most pharmaceutical organizations.

Your best bet for securing a successful pharmaceutical sales career is to educate yourself on the application and interview process. If you know what pharmaceutical sales companies are looking for in new hires, you'll be better equipped to meet those needs when you walk in for your interview. What do pharmaceutical sales recruiters want to hear? What should your resume look like?

If you're truly interested in being a recruiter’s dream before you embark on your interview with any pharmaceutical company, your best bet is to obtain a pharmaceuticals education prior to your interview -- that is, an education that will promote you as a stand out new hire.

Ace Your Pharmaceutical Sales Interview

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the foremost sought after careers in the United States today. Seasoned sales veterans and new college graduates alike are attracted to this career path for several reasons. Not the least of which are high salary (even for beginners) and job security. Because the pharmaceuticals industry is almost completely recession proof, representatives can live with the peace of mind of knowing their chosen career path is secure.

If you're considering a career in pharmaceutical sales, you are likely wondering where to start. The best place to start is with a sound education in what it takes to become a pharmaceutical sales representative. Unlike other sales careers, the pharmaceutical sales representative is a key component in ensuring their customers (physicians) provide quality care to patients. This means that your success in pharmaceutical sales will benefit not only you, but also the physicians and patients you service.

The education that is required to become a successful pharmaceutical sales representative goes far beyond dressing the part and reading up on your product. The individuals who get hired by the most prominent pharmaceutical sales companies are armed with at least three tools; the well-written, specialized pharmaceutical sales resume, the secrets to succeeding in a pharmaceutical sales interview (knowledge of pharmaceutical sales interview questions), and an assertive confidence that causes of the pharmaceutical sales recruiters to sit up and take notice.

Now you're probably wondering, “how I get my hands on this information?” The good news is that this information is readily available to you provided to know where to look. Unfortunately, many pharmaceutical sales hopefuls neglected to utilize the best possible resources prior to the interview process. Inferior resources, and inferior information will undoubtedly lead to an inferior interview. When you walk into your pharmaceutical sales interview, it is 100% imperative that you are armed as much industry knowledge as possible (this is especially important for first time interviewees).

You can ensure that the education you receive is of high quality by first ensuring that you're working with the best possible educators. The best pharmaceutical sales education packages are written by previous representatives or prior recruiters. It stands to reason that individuals with an in-depth and working knowledge of the industry will be best equipped to educate others about a career therein.

So, before you dive in headfirst, be sure to consult a professional pharmaceutical sales educator and arm yourself with the three primary tools necessary to secure a position as a pharmaceutical sales representative.