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.