Jeff Said:

How do I break into Pharmaceutical sales?

We Answered:

Below is a copy of an answer I posted recently in response to a question similar to yours. Hope it helps.


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Why would you want to get into pharmaceutical sales? What motivated you into it? Who/what influenced you? What do you know about the industry, the companies, the products? What do you know about the job? What have you done so far to prepare yourself for a career in pharmaceutical sales? Ask yourself these questions now because if you are interviewed, the hiring manager is going to ask you these same questions. In getting to know you, your work experience and your skills, they like to ask questions that require answers given in the STAR format (what was the Situation or Task, what Action did you take to solve it, and what was/were the Result(s)).

Below are the basic qualifications pharma companies look for in a candidate:

1. A 4-year bachelors degree with excellent grades (in any field, although science may help)
2. At least 2 years of successful, documented, business-to-business sales experience
3. A good driving record
4. A good credit background
5. Passion and personality

Yes, I recommend this profession to anyone with the above qualifications and not afraid to work hard and long hours to reap the many rewards provided by this profession.

Good luck!

James Said:

Can I get pharmaceutical sales job with out any experience?

We Answered:

Sorry but no. The pharmaceutical companies don't want someone to only "practice" or "learn how to sell" on their exclusive clientele. Don't for one minute think that sales is easy and you can just "walk on" and be successful. When they say they want 2-5 years outside business to business sales experience it's because that experience not only teaches you how to sell, but it also "weeds out" the slackers, those that think sales is a easy gig. The cream rises to the top.

The fact that you've never sold is just one thing. The other issue is that you need to prove yourself. Simply having a college degree these days doesn't mean a darn thing. Beside knowing how to sell, a sales rep needs to be self reliant, confident, a team player, a good listener, can investigate the reasons for, solve and resolve issues/problems, have great follow up and a workaholic.

Do yourself a huge favor and find a business to business sales job in a position where you can learn a consultative sales approach. Read books on selling and then read more. Become the best sales person you can be, excel to become the "sales rep of the month" and "the new sales rep of the year". Distinguish yourself as a sales leader and then you can seek that pharma job you want.

As I'm sure your mother told you......"Nothing great comes without hard work."

Loretta Said:

Do pharmaceutical sales jobs exist in countries with universal health care?

We Answered:

Of course they do. Pharms are for profit and universal health care wouldn't change that at all.

How else would the doctors know which new poison to push on their patients?

The government won't stop the doctor kick back program as pharmaceutical & medical lobbyists are way too powerful and rich to stop the gravy train.

All universal health care will do is raise insurance prices for the companies that already pay, directly cause even more job losses and end up costing taxpayers billions more.

Your job should be safe as long as you are producing.

Mario Said:

Pharmaceutical Sales?

We Answered:

I'm not personally a pharmaceutical representative but had spoken with an old friend who really enjoyed his job saying that he feels like he 'had the best of both worlds' -- being able to help others while making some money ;) I'm sure that there are quotas and stress involved and not all dr's offices may want a rep to pay a visit.

As far as contacts, please try to stick with the sunday classified ads as opposed to 'offers' on a message board or chatroom as no one really knows who the person actually is :) One can look under 'pharmaceutical sales' or 'reps'. wikipedia albeit not for professional or school research may have more info regarding some major pharm companies: http://www.wikipedia.org and can type into search.

Here is a website for general info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and search 'sales representatives' or such.

Bill Said:

How do I land a pharmaceutical sales jobs?

We Answered:

best bet is to know someone in the industry. see if you can ride along with a rep for a day (shows initiative). read the following book w/ regard to interviewing: "Knock 'em Dead" by Yates or Yeates. i say this because i was a nurse before i got into pharma sales - no sales experience whatsoever - and, after reading the book, THAT'S when i started getting asked back for 2nd and 3rd interviews. it takes persistence... i waited an entire year before someone took a chance on me (and me and my team blew our numbers out of the water... trip to paris... trip to rome... multiple cash awards). anyone can do this job; and one doesn't need to be attractive to do it (although, unfortunately, that's a criteria on which a lot of managers base their decision(s)). also, try monster.com. type in "sales" in the box, and look for or hi-lite pharmaceutical sales where you're given the option - you'll see what i'm talking about. many people choose to get on with a smaller company... prove themselves w/ regard to exceeding sales expectations... then jump to larger pharma companies.

one last thing: if you can dispose of $200-300, try to get a professional resume writer to re-do your resume. mine added key words and that revision, along with reading the aforementioned book - helped a TON.

good luck.

Tara Said:

What's the catch in pharmaceutical sales jobs?

We Answered:

The catch to these anonymous ads that you see is that the 'company' will want a start-up fee from you - they are fake 'jobs'. You'll never see a dime in payment.