Time Management and the Pharma Rep

Becoming a pharmaceutical sales representative means also becoming a master of time management. Pharmaceutical sales representatives are required to plan and schedule their days according to doctors' schedules. For example, a pharmaceutical sales representative will have to plan travel and business between patient visits for particular doctors. Depending on the number of doctors that a pharmaceutical sales rep will be visiting in one day, he or she may spend much of their time planning their routes, traveling to and fro, and strategically planning their meeting schedule. Doctors are very busy individuals, and as such, pharmaceutical sales representatives are busy also. It's important that, as a rep, you don't waste your time -- or the physicians’ time.

It may take some time to master the skills of time management that are required to be successful as a pharmaceutical sales rep. But there are a few tips and tricks that will help you on your way. First of all, pack your car the night before. Before you leave the house each morning, pack your car with drug samples, information, and any other material that may be beneficial in your process of sales. You should also plan your route and spend some time educating yourself on the doctors scheduled for that day. It may be beneficial to first contact doctors’ offices, perhaps the night before, perhaps that morning, to inquire when the first patient of the day will arrive, when there's a break in the schedule, and whether or not the doctor will have time to visit with you that day. Planning and being courteous to the medical staff at the doctors’ offices you plan to visit will help get your foot in the door and make a good impression on the physician as well as staff members.

Remember, being a pharmaceutical sales rep is more about being personable and less about being a "salesman." You'll be more successful if you strive to be a medical professional, and you harbor genuine and legitimate concerns about patients and their well-being, than you will be if you seek only to be a good salesperson.

A day the life of a pharmaceutical sales rep can be as busy and stressful -- or as fun and relaxed -- as one makes it. The key to having a good day as a representative is knowing how to manage your time successfully. It might be a good idea to take some of your time to educate yourself on some of the most beneficial time-saving techniques available to the pharmaceuticals professional.