Break Into Pharmaceutical Sales

Pharmaceutical Sales Job - Product Review

2007-02-06T22:19:00.000-08:00

Site: PharmaceuticalSalesInterviews.com
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Price: $29.95 - no other fees
Included: Step by Step Guide, Sample Resumes & Cover Letters, Interview Questions and Answers

Lisa Lane's 3 Days to a Pharmaceutical Sales Job Interview is by far the most popular and highest rated source of information for landing a pharmaceutical sales job. Lisa Lane has been a pharmaceutical sales career consultant for the Chicago Tribune, LA Times, and about 20 other major newspapers. So in other words...she knows her stuff! This book includes a copyrighted STEP BY STEP BLUEPRINT to landing interviews with top pharmaceutical companies. This is the toughest part of the pharmaceutical sales job hunt and she shows you proven methods that anyone can use to get interviews it in 3 days or less.

Also included are some great sample resumes and cover letters, specifically targeted to the pharmaceutical sales field. All you need to is plug in your information! Other great features include common interview questions and answers, situational interview questions and answers, how to assemble a brag book, and contact information for every major pharmaceutical company.

If you're serious about getting a pharmaceutical sales job and you want to get one quickly, this is the absolute best product on the market. Dont't waste your money on other products...this is all you're gonna need...

Click Here to Go to Lisa Lane's 3 Days to a Pharmaceutical Sales Interview....

Pharmaceutical Sales Job Cover Letters

2007-02-06T22:08:00.000-08:00

As a former pharmaceutical sales manager, I received my fair share of job applications from individuals who wanted careers with my company. Normally, people would send in their resumes along with a cover letter. I found it quite interesting to see that in the vast majority of cases, people seemed to put the bulk of their efforts in their resumes with minimal effort in their cover letters.

It seemed to me that most cover letters were considered as just a formality in addition to the resumes. Apart from the usual contact information and the title of the job position being applied for, there was usually nothing much more written in cover letters except for the 'see my resume attached' line. This casual approach to cover letters is wrong.

Especially in the case where pharmaceutical sales job openings are very much in demand that attracts hundreds and perhaps even thousands of job applicants, the hiring parties such as managers, recruiters and human resource staff of drug firms need ways to weed out the unqualified candidates. There would be just too many resumes to read.

Rather than just writing that you are a hard worker, organized, outgoing, etc., like many other applicants will likely do in a cover letter, address specific job qualifications that are stated in the job posting ad and give some backup to support your claim. If a job posting states that candidates should have points such as good communications skills, ability to work independently, past experience in sales or customer service and clean driving record, then you should also make sure that your cover letter addresses these same points.

Many sales managers and HR staff reviewing cover letters will look for such points in order to determine whether they will even bother to look at your resume at all. You want to use your cover letter as a teaser so that reviewers will want to look at your resume. One way to cut down the number of applicants to a manageable number is by just looking at cover letters. If the grammar and content on a cover letter is poor, a bad impression will already be in the reviewer's mind. If I can't determine from a cover letter that you have all the qualifications mentioned in the stated job requirements and I have a huge pile of resumes in front of me, then there is a high chance that I won't read your resume.

So my advice is to spend some time writing out your cover letter and make sure that it covers all the points stated on the pharmaceutical sales job posting. Use the cover letter as a tool to entice me to review your resume. Consider a cover letter to be an important selling tool for you.

Job Interview Tips for Pharmaceutical Sales Positions

2007-02-05T22:08:00.000-08:00

Job interviews for pharmaceutical sales are unlike other types of job interviews. These interviews are used to assess whether a candidate is suitable in the sales environment in addition to reviewing background histories and skills. Interviewers would often ask tricky questions that test the personalities of candidates in order to determine sales potential.

If during a pharmaceutical sales job interview and the reviewer asks you a question on whether you prefer to work alone or with others in groups, you have to be careful here. If you say a solo environment is definitely better, they may not see you as a team player. If you say that you prefer working in groups, they might think that you would not be effective in sales since most of the time, pharmaceutical reps are out in the field on their own.

Therefore, the safest route to take here is to say that you like both environments and can be effective in both. When you are alone, you can be effective as an independent worker. Then when you are working with others in group projects or at meetings, you can also work effectively in teams.

You must convey the impression during a job interview that your skills enable you to excel in both scenarios. Don't get fooled by the interviewer's trick question. Here's an effective response;

"I like both. I realize that most of the time, reps work alone and I certainly can be effective in this mode. Working with others at times will be a nice change and I can also be quite effective in teams as well. It's a good working mix in my mind."

Asking you about your strengths during an interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself. Asking you about weaknesses is another matter and is another example of a tricky question. You must be careful here not to expose any specific weak skills that may hurt you during an interview. Whenever I encountered questions about my weaknesses during my interviews, I countered with something like this;

"In all honesty, the only weakness I think I have is perhaps a lack of industry specific experience since pharmaceutical sales will be new for me. However, I am strong on my communications and sales related skills. I am also a fast learner so I am certain that industry specific training that your company could provide will help me make up for this lack of industry experience. I'm sure that I would be able to get up to speed pretty quickly and start growing those sales for your company."

Notice that I bring up the trainability fact in the above statement. It is extremely important that you convey the fact that you are an effective learner of new skills and environments. I use this attribute to effectively wipe out any weaknesses.

Be prepared to answer trick questions during interviews for pharmaceutical sales positions. They are designed to see if you really have what it takes to be in sales. Learn all you can about the pharmaceutical sales job and focus on selling your skills as well as personal attributes.

About the Author

Clint Cora is the author of the book "How To Get A Dream Job In Pharmaceutical Sales - Direct Inside Advice and Guidance from a Sales Manager". He had a very successful fourteen year career as a pharmaceutical sales representative, sales trainer, product marketing manager and a national sales manager. More information about pharmaceutical sales careers can be found at http://www.GetPharmacueticalSalesJob.com

Landing Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs: Answers To Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

2007-01-26T10:39:00.000-08:00

Q: Why are pharmaceutical sales jobs in such high demand?
A: Pharmaceutical sales careers have consistently ranked among the most rewarding careers in America. It is common knowledge that pharmaceutical companies treat their sales representatives exceptionally well. Most offer excellent salaries with commissions and outstanding benefits packages including company car. The extra perks include bonuses, incentive prizes, and all expense paid trips to wonderful cities. (The fact that you don’t have a boss to report to on a daily basis is an added perk!)

Q: I have no sales experience/I am a recent college graduate; do I still have a chance?
A: Yes, you do have a chance.....a good chance! Pharmaceutical companies hire people with and without sales experience, including recent and new college grads. They hire people from all backgrounds with all kinds of experience. (Accountants, teachers, nurses, office managers, computer programmers, and marketing professionals to name just a few!) Some companies and managers prefer sales experience but it is not a rule. Generally, most companies allow their managers to make most of the hiring decisions. They usually hire the proven leaders and achievers as well as people who can converse well and listen well.

Q: I have posted my resume on career websites and I have not gotten any interviews.
A: In this industry, posting is necessary but it is not enough. You can’t assume that companies and recruiters will come to you. You have to go to them. (This program will show you exactly what you need to do to get interviews and it will also show you how to format and create a resume for better success with online submission ) Refer to the e-resumes section of this book for some additional advice. An online resume requires a completely separate set of rules than the traditional resume. (Just a note: If you follow this program, you will have a lot more luck landing interviews than if you were to post your resume online.)

Q: I don’t have a bachelor’s degree, will my business experience compensate for my lack of degree?
A: There are pharmaceutical reps out there with no bachelor’s degree but not many. In general, pharmaceutical companies can afford to be very selective simply because of the number of applicants per opening. Most companies have the 4-year degree requirement. If you feel that you have an exceptional resume and decide to pursue this field without a 4-year degree, keep in mind that your job search may take a while longer than the norm and you may have limited success.

Q: Am I too old to break into pharmaceutical sales?
A: No. Pharmaceutical companies hire from all age groups. Some of the top reps out there are older and more seasoned professionals. Keep in mind that most of the physicians that you will be calling on are in their 40’s and older. The philosophy of some companies and managers is that an older rep can relate on a more personal level with the physician and can also hold a more mature and meaningful conversation. There are many reps out there who are in their 20’s but that is not the case across the board.

Q: Do I need a science degree to break into pharmaceutical sales?
A: No. Pharmaceutical companies hire people with backgrounds that range from accounting to zoology. As a rule, all of the science that one needs to succeed in this industry is taught during the initial training period.

Q: How important is my resume?
A: Very important!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is not uncommon for some managers to get over 500 resumes for one opening. You have got to give some time and attention to your resume if you want to get attention in this sea of applicants. (See the resume tips in this program) If you are going to go the professional resume writing route, be sure to do your research before hiring one.

Q: How do I shop for a resume writer?
A: Look for a resume writer that specializes in sales or pharmaceutical sales and do the following:

Ask for referrals from some of their satisfied customers.
Interview 3 or more companies and then make a decision based on the information that you have gathered.
Check with your local Better Business Bureau to make sure that there have been no complaints filed about them.
Ask who actually writes the resume. Some companies actually farm out the work that they get.
Ask if they offer a guarantee for their work. If you don’t get any interviews with your resume, will they rewrite it?
Ask how much they charge and find out exactly what is included. Do they provide the paper, a scannable version? (Resumes can run anywhere from 100-500 dollars, the average being approximately 200 dollars)

Get "A PHARMACEUTICAL SALES JOB INTERVIEW IN 3 DAYS” and get interviewing!

Leverage Your Network to Break into Pharmaceutical Sales

2007-01-20T20:53:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has tried to get a job as a pharmaceutical sales rep knows that is can be a bit overwhelming. You have to understand the strategies of effective networking, like finding pharmaceutical sales representative groups, the right questions to ask whenever you are in the company of those in the industry and other ways to break into pharmaceutical sales. A solid networking approach will focus on 4 distinct components: expanding your network of pharmaceutical representatives, searching the e-boards of pharmaceutical job listings, partnering with a recruiter who specializes in pharmaceutical and medical fields and increasing your industry knowledge.

When you become a networking expert, you will understand the importance of asking, "Who do you know?" and "Does that person know someone else who should be in my network?" Remember the old adage, "It's not what you know, it's who you know."

One of the best ways to break into pharmaceuticals sales is to speak with a sales representative or district manager in the industry. Building these relationships is important for a few reasons. First, it is a great way to get a referral. When an existing pharmaceutical sales rep refers someone to his district manager that can increase your exposure, which is great. Also, your existing pharma industry contacts may be able to give you more contact names, like the hiring managers and Human Resource team. Third, your contacts might also have the inside track on any plans to increase the sales team or potential plans for opportunity within the pharmaceutical industry.

Remember that your main goal of networking within the pharma industry is to learn as much as you can and determine your strengths that make you a solid candidate. If you can, be sure to spend some time with a pharmaceutical sales representative while he conducts his client visits. A day in the life of a pharma sales rep is the best way to explore the industry and can help you make an informed decision on your new career.

What do you do if your network does not contain any pharmaceutical sales representatives? Consider joining a pharmaceutical discussion board on the web, attend job fairs and ask the folks at the pharmaceutical booth. Another option is to research the Chamber of Commerce membership lists and if there are pharmaceutical members listed you may want to consider attending the next Chamber Mixer. Most local Chambers of Commerce allow you to attend one free event, without being a member. This is a great way to build your network regardless of your career aspirations.

Networking is a lot like pharma sales. Think about it, to set yourself apart from the competition in sales, you take extra time to develop relationships with your customers, right? The same concepts apply to developing your pharmaceutical contacts. The little extra things you do to promote goodwill with your customers work when you are establishing and maintain your network. Send thank you notes if someone with a pharmaceutical career takes their time to speak with you or introduces you to a new contact. It is important to remember that most people really like to help their friends and when you solicit their advice and express your appreciation they are often willing to do a lot more to further your career or help you gain entry into the competitive field of pharma sales.

About the Author

Ryan Stewart is the Founder, Owner, and Administrator of first-class Pharmaceutical Sales Job Search Megasite PharmBoard.com.

http://www.pharmboard.com

5 Ways NOT to Get Hired as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

2007-01-20T20:36:00.000-08:00

Over the last few years, I've helped hundreds of people successfully land jobs as pharmaceutical representatives. But there's still work to be done! If I've learned anything over the years, it's that some people learn differently than others. It is said that the great inventor Thomas Edison failed nearly 25,000 times before he created the battery. When asked what he thought of all his failures he replied, "I haven't failed. Over the last 20 years I've learned 25,000 ways NOT to make a battery."

So, in the spirit of Thomas Edison, I bring to you, 5 ways NOT to get hired as pharmaceutical sales representative.

1. Send your resumé hopelessly off into the neverland that we call the Internet. Before you go ballistic and tell me that job sites work, hear me out. Job sites do work. Sometimes. The majority of all jobs, however, especially pharmaceutical sales jobs, are filled through referrals. If you want to give online submissions a shot, go ahead. If you really want to make strides toward getting a pharma sales job, spend your time networking and get a referral from a current drug rep or district manager.

2. Be a scrooge about self improvement and promotion materials. Are you listening? The pharmaceutical industry is rather infamous for its ability to create kick-butt marketing campaigns that generate results. Make no mistake, your job search is a full on, all out, high intensity marketing campaign. The product is you. Pharma companies create awesome campaigns because they aren't afraid to spend a little money to generate maximum results. Be reasonable about how much you can (and should) spend while looking for a job as a pharma rep, but don't be so darned determined to do it for free! Spend some money on a book or two to improve your interview skills, to learn a little bit about companies you might be interviewing with, or on a professionally written resume. Consider it an investment in your career. After all, why wouldn't you spend $300 bucks to make $50,000 - year after year after year (plus bonuses)?

3. Be a liar You want to prevent yourself from getting any job? Just lie. The pharma industry is under intense scrutiny from consumer watchdog groups and the federal government. They don't need a liar to complicate what, in many cases, is already a delicate relationship. Be honest, be yourself, work hard, mind your P'S and Q'S and you'll be fine. There's no need to be a liar.

4. Don't prepare for the interview It's not a stretch to say that a pharmaceutical sales interview is one of the toughest, most competitive interviews you will ever face. There are a boatload of other people out there Jonesing for the same job you want. And they want it BAD. If you don't prepare for your interview, they will beat you. Study the industry. Study the company. Review common interview questions. Most importantly, know yourself and know your [from the heart] answers to those interview questions backwards, forwards, and in your sleep.

5. Don't follow up with your contacts We've already discussed how important networking is in this search. What's more important than knowing someone who is in a position to help you? Being able to remind that person of his/her ability to help you and encouraging him/her to do so! Practice saying this to everyone you talk to about business. "OK John, I'll check in with you in a few weeks to see if you need anything else from me?" It's low key. It's low pressure. But it gives you a reason to follow up with your contacts and hold them accountable for any action you've requested on their part.

There probably are 24,999 ways not to get hired as a pharmaceutical sales representative, but these should get you off to a good start!

About the Author

Ryan Stewart has coached hundreds to pharma sales success (and he's done it all for free). To jump-start your pharmaceutical sales career go to pharmaceutical-sales-representative.com