Dressing for Success at Your Pharmaceutical Sales Interview

Now that you have satisfied all of the educational requirements necessary to become a pharmaceutical sales representative, you'll be ready to embark on your very first pharmaceutical sales interview. As you plan and prepare for your interview, chances are you'll have some questions concerning what to expect. In addition to preparing for the types of interview questions you should expect, you should also plan to prepare your attire. Dressing for success is just as important in a job interview as it is in any other part of your life, if not more so.

So what kind of ensemble should you put together to best impress your pharmaceutical sales recruiter? Let's discuss some of the factors to consider when dressing for a pharmaceutical sales interview. First of all, it's a good idea to take into consideration the company with which you'll be interviewing. Educate yourself on the type of clothing that typical employees wear on a daily basis. Doing so will allow you to prepare an outfit that will help you feel as though you're part of the company prior to walking through the doors. It's important to remember that dressing for a pharmaceutical sales interview does mean dressing up a little bit.

If the company for which you plan to interview typically requires a dress code of the three-piece suit, high heels and pantyhose, or other high-fashion or high-end attire, you want to ensure that you dress similarly for your interview. However, if you interview for a company that expects an attire of business casual, you should be okay dressing down just a bit. Remember, dressing down does not mean dressing poorly.

For men, it's always important to wear a tie, even if you don't wear a jacket. Never wear tennis shoes to your interview, and ladies, if you’re baring your legs in a skirt be, sure to wear pantyhose. You may not always wear hose in a typical work environment, but during the interview process, it’s important for professionalism.

Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. It's an important factor to dress for success on your interview, but also dress to in a way that makes you feel comfortable enough to be yourself. If you feel uncomfortable in your interview, your recruiter will sense your discomfort. The recruiter will have no way of knowing that your uncomfortable because of your scratchy tie or your twisted pantyhose. Instead, he may think you're uncomfortable in a working environment.

While it's very common to the nervous during a job interview, looking your best and feeling your best will help you to put your best foot forward when meeting your pharmaceuticals recruiter for the very first time. Take some time to plan your ensemble, and don't be afraid to call a company representative to inquire about the typical dress code for employees. Preplanning for your interview will ensure your meeting is a massive success.