| Pharmaceutical sales is one of the biggest and most | | | | prerequisites. |
| profitable industries in the world. Pharma sales reps | | | | For instance, most pharmaceutical sales jobs will |
| sell an amazing variety of products, from insulin to | | | | require frequent travel. Therefore, major drug |
| HIV treatments and cancer medication to blood | | | | manufacturers will likely require that you have a clean |
| pressure meds and everything in between. | | | | driving record. You will also need to have some |
| Customers include doctors, hospital administrators and | | | | experience in sales, with experience within the |
| clinic administrators. Even though the headlines shout | | | | medical industry being a definite bonus. Solid |
| about pharma sales rep layoffs, there are still great | | | | communication skills are a requirement, as well as |
| jobs to be had for a skilled sales rep. How do you go | | | | self-confidence, personal initiative and self-motivation, |
| about landing a pharmaceutical sales job? In order to | | | | and strong organizational skills. |
| get your foot in the door, you will need to know a | | | | You should consider a few other things before |
| few things. | | | | choosing this career path. For instance, preference is |
| First, you should familiarize yourself with the major | | | | often given to those with an experience in nursing, |
| pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. (even a basic | | | | as well as those with a history in B2B (business to |
| internet search will tell you a lot). These companies | | | | business) sales. General medical industry experience is |
| are generally very well known and chances are good | | | | a bonus. If you don't have that, you might consider |
| that you can think of a few right off the top of your | | | | obtaining such experience prior to applying for any |
| head-like Glaxo-Smith Kline, Astra-Zeneca, Eli Lilly, | | | | pharmaceutical sales positions. An educational |
| Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Roche. Knowing their | | | | background in science helps, as well as participating in |
| principal product lines, star products, and positions in | | | | a ride-along with a pharma rep, which is also known |
| the marketplace will help make you stand out as a | | | | as a field preceptorship. Because it's a competitive |
| candidate. Check out company websites for their | | | | field, your job search can take as much as 6 to 12 |
| sales career requirements. Each company will likely | | | | months. Having the preferred skills and experience will |
| have a few of their own unique requirements, but | | | | help you reduce the amount of time spent searching |
| most will have a wide swath of common | | | | for positions, before finally attaining one. |