What questions do they ask for a pharmaceutical sales position?
Here is a list of general questions an interviewer may ask for a pharmaceutical sales position: What did you enjoy about your last job? How did you prepare for this interview? Why do you want to work in pharmaceutical sales?
Do you have the makings of a pharmaceutical sales representative?
If so, you might have the makings of a great pharmaceutical sales representative. Next, pharma reps need to have a strong foundation in basic science and pharmacology. Pharmacology is the science of medications and the role they play in the body.
Is Pharma sales a good career for You?
Compared to other sales jobs, pharma sales are focused on science and serve the greater good. As a drug rep, you'll have a chance to work side-by-side with medical professionals and help them choose the best products for patients.
What does the future hold for pharmacy sales?
Pharma sales is projected to grow significantly over the next 10 years. Pharma sales representatives of large pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Merck, and others enjoy the luxury of stability and security. This is not always the case with other industries where mergers and acquisitions lead to a higher frequency of layoffs.
What does a pharmaceutical sales representative need to know?
Pharmaceutical sales reps have a strong understanding of pharmacology , which is how medications can affect the human body and the disease or condition they are designed to treat. A rep must be able to answer any questions about the drug, including how it works, side effects and any interactions with other drugs.
Is it hard to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?
It's a reality for pharmaceutical company representatives. But the work isn't pure glamour. It's also intense, highly competitive and sometimes frustrating. Insiders say it's difficult to get your foot in the door with a drug company, and that it's challenging to excel once you've landed that first sales job.
What makes a pharmaceutical rep successful?
Being a great pharmaceutical sales representative requires you to have strong scientific knowledge, business acumen, and people skills. Most importantly, you must be able to take initiative and work individually and on a team.
What interests you mostly about a career in pharmaceutical sales?
a passion for sales and an enthusiasm for science or medicine. the opportunity to use your resourcefulness, energy and knowledge to persuade clients to buy your products. the daily challenges and the dynamic nature of the industry provide excellent opportunities for professional and personal growth.
What are the 5 main qualities a medical representative should have?
7 Top Qualities to look for in a Medical Sales RepAMBITION AND DRIVE. Ambition sits at the top of the list when it comes to ideal traits. ... SALES ABILITY. Medical sales reps obviously require strong selling ability. ... ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS. ... AUTHENTICITY. ... ABILITY LISTEN. ... PERSISTENCE AND STAMINA. ... SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL GRASP.
Do pharmaceutical reps make good money?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $128,628 and as low as $30,295, the majority of Pharmaceutical Sales Representative salaries currently range between $70,025 (25th percentile) to $109,756 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $124,158 annually in California.
What skills do you need for pharmaceutical sales?
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Skills and Qualifications:Customer service.Motivation for sales.Meeting sales goals.Closing skills.Territory management.Prospecting skills.Negotiation skills.Self-confidence.More items...
How do I become a good pharmaceutical rep?
How to Succeed in Pharmaceutical SalesGood People Skills. You need to have good people skills when going out to market a product. ... Strong Product Knowledge. ... Comfortable with Public Speaking. ... Manage Your Own Time. ... Industry-Specific Skills. ... Be Ready to Travel Anytime. ... Get Your CNPR Training.
Do Pharma reps cold call?
Cold-calling is a tricky skill to master, but it's essential for success as a pharmaceutical sales representative. These professionals are often required to call doctors and other healthcare experts who they have no existing relationship with.
Why do you want to work in pharmaceutical industry?
Pharmaceutical careers are highly lucrative. When you establish your position in this industry, you open your doors to countless opportunities for growth and learning. People working in pharma get numerous benefits, as well as exceptional salaries. The job satisfaction and sense of achievement are also high.
Why should we hire you answer for medical representative?
I appreciate and accept your compliment, I have just acquired this certification with theoretical and practical knowledge. I am a fresher and I do not have any experience in this industry. Therefore I do not consider myself as overqualified for this position and I am willing to provide my best for this job.
Why do you want to be a medical representative answer?
A medical representative can be a good career because of the following reasons: Opportunity for career growth: with experience and the right skill set, a medical representative can make an advancement in their career in no time. You can transition from a field trainer to a sales manager within a few years.
What is a typical day for a pharmaceutical sales rep?
My typical day starts at 5:00 or 5:30 in the morning. The first hour or hour and a half is usually spent looking at reports, being on the computer, taking care some administrative stuff. I'm usually out of the house by seven o'clock or 7:30 and just continue to make my rounds.
Are pharmaceutical reps in demand?
According to James Crowley, managing director of life sciences strategy at Accenture Life Sciences, a global consulting firm, well-trained, digitally savvy pharmaceutical sales representatives will continue to be in demand well into the foreseeable future.
How difficult is medical sales?
While it's true that medical sales is a highly competitive field and the workload is demanding, if you're up to the challenge, it's possible to begin building your career and making a name for yourself almost immediately. It's important to understand, though, that unlike other fields, medical sales is a journey.
Is Pharmaceuticals a good career?
Pharmaceutical careers are highly lucrative. When you establish your position in this industry, you open your doors to countless opportunities for growth and learning. People working in pharma get numerous benefits, as well as exceptional salaries. The job satisfaction and sense of achievement are also high.
What is a pharmaceutical sales representative?
A pharmaceutical sales representative is an important position that can help notify doctors and other medical professionals about certain medications which can benefit their patients. When pursuing a pharmaceutical sales position, it can be beneficial to highlight your skills of communication, problem solving and time management to help you stand ...
Why is it important to mention a specific time where you changed your selling tactics?
When answering this question, it can be important to mention a specific time where you changed your selling tactics, using skills of communication and problem, solving, to produce a positive outcome. This can help employers understand how your skills can benefit their sales department and business.
What to do if you don't know a pharma rep?
If you don’t know a pharma rep., you should still apply to all jobs listings on the major sites such as Monster , Careerbuilder, etc. but also look at some of the pharmaceutical specific job sites like Medzilla, PharmaceuticalCrossing, Biospace, and Pharmaopportunities .
Can I start with Merck if I have no experience?
Don’t start with Merck if you have no experience. Certain companies like Merck hire the cream of the crop people that have had experience, possibly have a pharmacy degree, etc. You MUST have a college degree. Usually they do not really specify a certain degree. When I first started, they preferred science degrees.
Is pharmaceutical sales a good fit for me personally?
Any job where you are going in and out of your trunk a lot out in bad conditions can be tough to do day in and day out. Pharmaceutical sales was not the best fit for me personally because I prefer to do administrative tasks rather than drive around and go from office to office.
Why do pharmaceutical reps specialize?
Because a rep needs to have such in-depth knowledge about the medications, they may specialize in a particular class of pharmaceuticals, such as cancer or cardiovascular drugs. A large pharmaceutical company can have a team of PSRs that covers all of their products. PSRs could also have the following duties:
How to become a pharmaceutical sales rep?
1. Earn your high school diploma or GED. You first need to earn your high school diploma or GED to become a pharmaceutical sales rep. This is a prerequisite for getting a college degree, which most pharmaceutical companies require.
What is a pharmaceutical sales representative?
Pharmaceutical sales representatives secure sales for their company's pharmaceutical products. Their job is to persuade medical professionals that the drugs, treatments and devices that they offer are ideal for their patients' needs and superior to those offered by their competitors.
How to become a PSR?
Try to focus on courses in chemistry, anatomy, biology and public speaking to prepare for this career. 2. Get a bachelor's degree. It's possible to get a job as a PSR without a college degree, but most employers seek candidates with at least a bachelor's degree.
Is the pharmaceutical industry in demand?
The pharmaceutical industry shows consistent growth and PSRs are in demand all over the country. This demand will probably increase as the population ages and new drugs and technologies enter the market. It is a competitive career to pursue, so you must spend time creating a resume and cover letter that outlines your skills and abilities to an employer and stands out from the others they receive.
Is pharmaceutical sales a good career?
Working in pharmaceutical sales can be a rewarding and well-paid career. The pharmaceutical industry is growing rapidly as new drug discoveries are made and technology moves forward. If you are considering a healthcare career that combines medical knowledge with sales skills, the role of a pharmaceutical sales rep could be suitable for you, but you must consider the steps to take.
Why did you decide to apply for this job?
You can say that you excel in sales, that you have good connections in the circles of doctors and pharmacists, or that you basically enjoy working with medical professionals and get along with them easily.
How do you imagine a typical day in this job?
The key is to show proactive approach to work. Say that you imagine spending most of your days on the road, approaching doctors, meeting them, trying to start new business relationships, as well as selling to existing customers.
What motivates you the most in this job?
Now you wouldn’t achieve much with empty phrase s, such as that you want to help people. Because drugs rarely help anyone in a long run.
Imagine that I am a doctor. Try to convince me to prescribe this drug to my patients
A simple role play is a best way of assessing your true level of sales skills. And also your true understanding of this profession. Now, convincing any medical professional to change their supplier is no easy task.
Imagine that sales are down, and you struggle to meet your targets. What would you do?
Long series of rejections, and days when you neither sell anything nor manage to meet any doctor in person, belong to this job. It is one of the reasons for high fluctuation rate in the field, and your interviewers try to find out whether you’ll also quit with the first crisis.
Do you prefer to get a fixed salary, or be paid on a commission basis?
Best salesmen prefer commission basis. But you are likely just starting, unsure about your future success, and it would be risky to be paid solely on commission basis.
Other questions you may face in your pharmaceutical sales job interview
What do you consider your greatest strength, and your biggest weakness, as a sales representative?
What are the responsibilities of a pharmaceutical rep?
The work of a drug representative is customer-driven. This role requires excellent communication skills along with the ability to organize, plan and prioritize work. Compared to other sales jobs, pharma sales are focused on science and serve the greater good.
How much does a pharmaceutical sales rep make?
It's also one of the few recession-proof industries — and salaries reflect that. Pharmaceutical sales representatives make around $128,482 to $142,093 per year , depending on their experience in this field.
What does a drug rep do?
As a drug rep, you'll have a chance to work side-by-side with medical professionals and help them choose the best products for patients. Pharma sales reps not only promote drugs and medical equipment to healthcare providers but also follow up to make sure their clients are satisfied with their purchase.
How much do sales reps make?
Experienced sales reps can make as much as $245,000. If you work on a contract basis, you'll earn approximately $110,979 per year. Large pharma companies pay the highest salaries, while distributors offer the largest bonuses. If your job requires a lot of travel, you can expect to get a bigger paycheck.
How long does it take to become a pharma sales rep?
Most employers require at least one year of experience for entry-level pharma sales reps. Some prefer candidates with a background in B2B sales. They usually emphasize the ability to multitask, work independently, make quick decisions and take initiative.
What can a pharma rep do?
A pharma rep can specialize in selling OTC and prescription drugs, veterinary drugs, medical devices and more. Polish your resume and contact potential employers. Network as much as you can. The more people you know in this industry, the higher your chances of landing a good job.
What do drug reps need to know?
As a drug rep, you must have in-depth knowledge of both private and public health issues. It's essential that you build trust with clinicians and other healthcare providers, manage your territory strategically and have the ability to speak in public and make sales presentations.