There are several reasons for this:

• They really want the job and there is a lot of competition for every position.
• The process is long and different from many other jobs.

I am going to explain the typical process, so you know what to expect.

First of all, keep in mind that the typical hiring process usually takes a couple of months.

It may take three months from the first contact to the starting date.

Sometimes I have heard companies saying the want to move “really fast”, but even in those cases the process may take a month or more.

The fastest I have ever heard is a week and half, but don’t have that expectation in your mind.

The Steps:

Once you apply (this can be on the company’s website, through a recruiter or by email), the first step is a phone screening. Most candidates get stuck here because they don’t even make it to the phone screening to begin with.

This is where getting the right advice makes a huge difference.

This call tends to be brief (about 15 minutes). In most cases you are contacted by a recruiter or a HR representative. They will ask you about your qualifications; make a brief walk through your resume, etc.

If you qualify, the second is usually a phone call with the hiring manager. This call usually last around 45 minutes. It will be more in depth about your education, professional history and probably some behavioral questions.

The third step is usually a face to face interview. This can be with the hiring manager alone, but in most cases the manager brings someone else. It can be and HR representative and/or other district manager.

These face to face can be a one on one or a panel interview.

Some companies make as much as 6 face to face interviews. They tend to be performed the same day. But I would say the average is only one or two face to face interviews.

If you are alive in the process (at this time you feel you are in American Idol), the last interview is usually with the regional manager. This last interview is not as intense as the previous ones.

You just need his bless. It is more like a confirmation that you are the right person based on the district manager’s decision.

Some companies can bring the best two candidates at this stage and then decide which will be the one.

A few companies will ask you to perform a ride along with a sales rep. They do this, so you can have a better idea about how the job is and to make sure you really like it.

Once you pass this, you should receive a phone call with a verbal offer. Once accepted, the company will send you a written offer by Fedex or email.

Always remember that the offer is contingent to pass a background check and in many cases a drug test.

I know the process may sound complicated. Without the right preparation it can be. But that’s why a developed my online program, to provide you with all the foundations you need to excel in each step of the process and handle it with ease.

Don’t forget to register. Once you do it you will receive free additional info that is not publicly available to help you in the process. You have 100% respect to your privacy.

Just fill out the form here:

The post Pharmaceutical Sales Hiring Process first appeared on How to get into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Quickly.

In this video I summarize some of them:

These are some of the benefits:

• A very good income: Quite often pharma sales rep make 100k or more. Medical device reps can make as much as 300k a year. That is more money than many doctors.
• Flexible schedule and independence: In most companies, pharma sales rep are the ones who design their own routing. They don’t have to report to any office. They leave their home and drive to call on their clients. Most reps only see their supervisors twice a month.
• Balanced Quality of Life: Most reps are subject to the schedule of the doctors, which is generally from Monday through Friday from 9 to 5. Therefore they make a decent income without working crazy hours. Besides dealing with the doctors and staff members generally assures a good work environment.
• Great benefits: Most companies offer 401K, good health and life insurance, company car, a fuel card, reimbursement for cell phone, internet, tolls, parking and other expenses.

If you are interested in becoming a pharmaceutical or medical sales rep, I invite you to get my online course to get you in a FAST lane to phama/medical sales.

Please feel to ask any question or leave me your feedback. It is highly appreciated.

If you would like to be updated when we publish new information to help you break into pharmaceutical or medical sales, please register in the form bellow:

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pharmaceutical sales or medical sales rep, and that’s the interview questions.

If you would like to be updated when we publish new information to help you break into pharmaceutical or medical sales, please register in the form bellow:

Before I became a pharmaceutical sales rep, I didn’t have any idea how difficult was the process of becoming one,

especially because I was coming from a totally unrelated industry.

I have said this many times, if you approach getting a job in this industry in the same way that you’ve been doing it in other industries,

it’s not gonna work. You have to really prepare to this type of environment and interview process.

I remember that before I finally got my first job, I had to go through about 40 interviews, combining

phone screening and face-to-face interviews; and the reason for this was because I didn’t know

what I was doing, I was totally unprepared for those interviews and I had to learn all of that the

hard way, making mistakes, and that’s way it took me so long and I wasted a lot of opportunities

on the way because I didn’t know better.

I remember that the first time a recruiter called me for an interview, we were doing a phone screening,

and the recruiter hung up on me because, because my answers were horrible!

I don’t want you to go through the same pattern of frustration,

One of the key elements to avoid this is to get prepared for the interview questions.

Therefore, I’m going to talk about one of the most common interview questions that you’re going to get

and what would be the best way to answer that question. Almost in every single process that you’re going to be

in this industry , during the interview process you’re going to be asked: “Hey, tell me about yourself”.

The best way to answer this question is to use what is called the 30 seconds commercial. I use a template that

you can follow to answer that question. For instance in my case, I always say something like: “I am a sales rep

with the bulk of my career in pharmaceutical and medical sales; my most recent position was with DepoMed in Miami

where I was a calling one Pain Specialists and Neurologists, and my key strengths are: I am a powerful negotiator, and a

strong relationship builder”

Something like that. You may wan to keep it short, to the point, and most important: you want to practice that.

Well, now that we have covered one of the most common  interview questions, let’s talk about the to the second

most common one, and that is: “Why should we hire you”?

You’re going to get this question probably as frequently as the first one, and you have to get it

prepared and solid. You have to be ready to say what separates you from the rest, what  history

of success are you bringing to this company? what are the attributes that separates you

from the rest? What makes you really successful? and what are the real reasons why this company

should go for you and not for other person?

These are only just two examples of the most common questions that you’re going to get in the

process and believe me, it makes a huge difference when you’re prepared for them.

To help you in the process to becoming a pharmaceutical or medical sales rep, In my training videos I also include

a free bonus which is my collection of the interview questions that I have gathered in my career.

I started to notice that the interview questions were very similar once you go through so many interviews,

and I started to write them down so I could practice my answers.

I also consulted with some colleagues and some recruiters to make sure I didn’t miss any of the most important

questions that you’re going to be asked in the process so you can have the best preparation for the challenge of

becoming a pharmaceutical or medical sales rep.

It can be a challenge, like I said, if you’re not prepared, but once you know the steps, once you have the right preparation,

it’s going to be a lot faster and easy for you to get that dreamed job.

I hope this help, and I invite you keep checking my blog and my website, so you can learn more

about the process of becoming a pharmaceutical or medical sales rep.

The post Most Common Pharmaceutical and Medical Sales Interview Questions first appeared on How to get into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Quickly.

that I never had experienced before in my many years as a medical sales rep.

Traditionally, after going through the phone screening, the headhunters usually send you

to the face-to-face interview.

In this opportunity, instead, I was directed to a web-based Interview.

It was not a live online interview because nobody was in the other side conducting it; the

questions were already pre-populated and I had to sit in front of my computer to record

my answers.

They only gave me the chance to record my answers, once or twice; so as you can imagine,

You’d better make sure that your answers are well put together.

I have a couple of things to say about the experience. First, technology is always changing

and evolving, therefore I won’t be surprised if this new type of interviews actually becomes

a new trend in the companies; and second, we have to be ready in case this new procedure

becomes the new gold standard and integrated as part of the hiring process to work in this

field.

In my training videos I cover deeply the interview process to become a sales rep in the

pharmaceutical or medical area, and the same principles that I talk about for the interview

process can be applied to the web-based interviews.

These are some tips you can follow for the web-based interviews:

a. Dress as if you were going to a real interview.

b. Be sure you have a nice haircut or hairstyle.

c. Prepare your background (kids, pets, messy rooms,

inappropriate images, dirty or damaged walls or noise shouldn’t

appear in the recording).

d. Make sure your equipment’s components are working properly

(microphones, camera, Internet connection, etc.).

e. Try not to improvising your answers. Prepare for your interview as much as you can.

f. Have your CV at hand for your reference.

I hope these recommendation help you and as I mention I cover this topic more deeply in

my training videos to prepare you in the best possible way to get your dreamed job.

The post Be prepared for this critical new step to become a pharmaceutical or medical sales rep first appeared on How to get into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Quickly.

so in this occasion, I’m going clarify this topic.

The bottom line is, there are only two requirements:

1) Have a Bachelor’s Degree, no matter the area of specialization; and

2) Have sales experience.

The first requirement is a must, and companies will simply not consider you if you don’t

check the box with the Bachelor’s Degree.

One good friend of mine moved from another country and tried to get a position as a drug

rep here in the US. Even though he had 10 years of experience with Schering-Plough, he

ranked top 1 in the nation as a drug rep with them, but he was not considered by any

pharmaceutical company until he finished his bachelor’s degree.

Absurd, but that is just how it works.

The second requirement happens to be not as excluding as in the first one. For example, I

have friends with military background who have been able to break into pharmaceutical

with companies as Pfizer.

So, not having experience in sales may become a challenge but it is not impossible to break

into the field as long as you have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent and can have other

attributes such as robust interview skills among others.

Another helpful attribute is to have a strong network in the industry.

I have colleagues who were able to use their close relationships with hiring managers and

sales reps in the pharmaceutical area to break in. Their lack of experience was

compensated or balanced with the fact they had a strong network.

If you don’t have a strong network, I suggest you to work in your background and get

some experience in sales. That will help you to build your profile to make you competitive

in your hunt for a position as sales rep in the pharmaceutical  or medical sales area.

The other part of the equation are  what I call the disqualifying factors.

Even if you have your Bachelor’s Degree and have great sales experience, having issues in

these areas will prevent you from getting a job in pharmaceutical or medical sales.

The disqualifying factor are:

1) Having a criminal record. Since companies are very strict with the background check

process, they will know if you have a criminal record and they will not give you the

position, even if you have already passed through the first stages of the hiring process.

If this is your case, unfortunately being a sales rep in the medical arena is probably out of reach for you.

2) Having a DUI history; Since companies are going to give a company car, and they will

pay for the insurance for their employees, having this in your history is something they

don’t want to deal with.

3) Having a really bad credit history

If you had a recent bankruptcy, or your credit history is a total disaster, the

pharmaceutical companies won’t consider you as a good candidate to be a sales rep.

As part of the job, they have to give you a corporate credit card that has to be approved by

the creditors. So, imagine if they give you the position and then, you can’t make travel or

entertainment expenses.

On the other hand, some managers consider a bad credit history as a behavioral red flag.

If this is your case and you really want to become a pharmaceutical  rep, try to fix your

credit history before applying.

Aside from these specific scenarios, you can go for it.

If  being a drug or medical sales rep is the type of job you want, my invitation is to get my

training videos where I will show you the short cuts, the most effective tactics and

techniques to prepare you to get the job!

If you would like to be updated when we publish new information to help you break into pharmaceutical or medical sales, please register in the form bellow:

The post Pharmaceutical sales rep requirements first appeared on How to get into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Quickly.

Imagine there is a hiring manager who’s looking for somebody to fill a

pharmaceutical sales rep the position of pharmaceutical sales rep, and he is

presented with Candidate N° 1.

Candidate N° 1 is somebody who fills the requirement of the Bachelor’s Degree,

this person was a great student and had the best grades at the university, but this

person has a limitation: Candidate N° 1 has no

experience in sales.

So, the big question in the manager’s head is: Can this person sell?

Now, the hiring manager is presented with Candidate N° 2.

This person, as Candidate N° 1, also has a Bachelor’s Degree, had good grades

at the university, but in addition has some experience in sales, perhaps in Real State,

Business to Business, auto parts, you name it. This person is also showing a great history of

sales’ achievements.

Between the two of them, of course Candidate N° 2 has an upper hand because

already answers the question in the hiring manager’s head.

However candidate Number 2 has a another challenge:

Can this person sell to doctors?

Because doctors are really particular: They went to school from 12 to 15 years to learn

what they’re doing, and if somebody shows up and tries to change their prescribing habits,

that may not be so simple.

Now imagine there is a Candidate N° 3. He has a Bachelor’s Degree and some

experience in medical or pharmaceutical sales.

Now, the balance goes to this new  candidate.

However, Candidate N° 3 can experience this new challenge: The hiring

manager is looking for somebody capable to sell the South part of

the city, and Candidate N° 3 has experience only in the North part of the city.

I have experienced this scenario a couple of times, and probably you’re asking, why this

detail is so relevant?

This is important because, when you’re hired to cover a new territory, you have new

accounts to take care of, with new doctors, new specialties, etc.

In this cases, even with all my years of experience it takes me from 7 to 9 nine months to

build relationships, and have the territory going.

The point is, if you don’t have any relationships with the doctors, is going to take sometime

to earn the doctor’s and your client’s trust.

So, if Candidate N° 4 shows up, and proves he has the experience and built relationships

already in the target territory (beside the Bachelor’s Degree), that becomes a plus because

to get sales going in this scenario general takes just 3 or 4 months.

As you may suppose, the company will produce faster results if they hire

Candidate N° 4, who already has contacts in the territory and can pull some strings

quickly.

This is the reason why many candidates lose their chance against someone who already has

experience in the territory that the hiring manager is trying to fill.

These are some of the challenges you may face if you’re trying to break into

pharmaceutical sales.

However, they are ways to overcome these challenges!

With my formula, you can be in the position of Candidate N° 1 or N° 2 and 

get the job! even if you’re competing against Candidates N° 3 or 4.

If you really want to get a position as pharmaceutical sales, I invite you to get my training

videos and prepare to finally get the job you have always wanted!

The post Overcoming the challenges to become a pharmaceutical sales rep first appeared on How to get into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Quickly.

These are common questions I get from people:

Do I really need a specific degree to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?

Or

Do I even really need a college degree to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?

To tell the truth –I can tell from what I’ve noticed in my career-, in the pharmaceutical area, managers are usually not so picky about the topic of the educational background of their aspirants, as much as they can proof they actually have a legal Bachelor’s Degree.

That’s just to check the box: It’s one of the requirements.

What I mean is, you can have all the other requirements, but if you don’t have that a Bachellor’s degree, they won’t interview you.

Now, if you don’t have the Bachelor’s Degree, I don’t want you to feel discouraged: There are difficult and easy ways to have a  Bachelor’s Degree legally and ethically.

Taken from my own life experience: I was able to complete my Bachelor in a very short time, and without paying a fortune.

I finished over 50 credits in only 14 months.

A good shortcut is to take CLEP examinations, which is a test you can take and see a full course in just one exam.

How it works? Let’s say, you want to see Biology. You can approve 8 credits of Biology in only one test.

I remember that the price of the CLEP was around 75 dollars.

I mean, 75 dollars for 8 credits?  That’s way less money for the same 8 credits than what you would have to pay in your University.

You can check the Clep site here: https://clep.collegeboard.org

You can fail the test several times and still, you will save time and money to get the course approved.

I think there is another similar program called the DANTES but I am not so familiarized with it.

Check it here: http://www.dantes.doded.mil/

There are also fully accredited online universities where you can study without so much complication.

I compared the programs of the University I studied in with some others, and they were quite similar. Off course, some programs are really demanding, and some others are not.

What I really mean is, you learn what you need to learn without the burning and without spending a fortune.

What I actually and expressly must warn you is this:

NEVER LIE ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION, or NEVER ATTEMPT TO APPLY AS A REP SALES IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY USING A DIPLOMA-MILL .

What is that?

Let me explain:

Diploma Mills are shady companies that operate by giving you a phone number to validate your Diploma, so you give the number to the company you are applying for.

But keep in mind that pharmaceuticals companies perform a very intense background check, and they only accept accredited universities.

Then if you get blacklisted in one of these background check companies (which pharma companies only use a few) and they have figured out that you’ve lied about your education or you’ve used fake information in your CV, they very likely are going defend the interests of their clients –in this case, the pharmaceutical company. Not you.

it’s not worth, especially when they are some easier methods to get that Bachelor’s Degree without so much hassle.

The post What degree is necessary to become a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep? first appeared on How to get into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Quickly.

These are the most important disqualifiers:

– Criminal record. This is a big no-no for pharmaceutical companies. Since they are very

strict with the background-check process, they will know if you have a criminal record

and they will not give you the position, even if you have already passed through the first

stages of the hiring process.

So, if this is your case, unfortunately being a pharmaceutical sales rep is probably out of reach.

– DUI in the last 3 to 5 years. Since companies are going to give a company car, and they will pay car insurance for their reps, this profile is something they don’t want to deal with.

– Credit history. If you have horrible credit history such as a recent bankruptcy history and so on; pharmaceutical companies won’t consider you as a good candidate.

Keep in mind that they will try to issue a corporate credit card for you, so that is a critical reason why they want to stay way for candidates like that.

If this is your case and you really want to become a drug rep try to fix your credit history before applying.

Out from these specific scenarios, you can go for it.

If being a drug rep is something you really want, get my training videos to walk you through the process of getting the job of your dreams.

The post Who should not try to become a pharmaceutical sales rep (requirements) first appeared on How to get into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Quickly.

This could be sometimes difficult, especially when it is something new for you or when you have high expectations about having that position you’re applying for.

From my own experience, I can tell that the best way to project confidence is by developing the competences you’ll need to fill the position you’re applying for.

But how do we do to develop the competences we need?

Watch My video:

Here there are some tips:

1. Practice. I must say that I learned the lesson in the hard way, by learning from my

own mistakes. I remember my first phone screening… the recruiter who was interviewing me was so frustrated by the answers I gave, that simply hung up on me without finishing the interview.

With practice and time (and some missed opportunities), I noticed that most of the recruiters asked pretty much the same questions, which leads me to the second tip for having a great interview:

2. Prepare For the Interview. Yes, when I finally realized that their questions where
quite similar, I begun to prepare my answers so they didn’t surprise me.

The point is not following a script like if we were a cooking recipe, but knowing the pertinent answers to give.

It made a huge difference: My responses begun to be powerful and concise, it helped me to be ready and not improvising my answers in the spot.  Also, it helped me to adapt my answers to those questions that were different from the rest.

These tips actually helped me a lot to give my best first impression in the interviews.

This is the reason why in the training videos I prepared, I included my collection of the most commonly asked questions during the interview process in the pharmaceutical sales area.

Devote some time to adapt those answers for yourself and customize your own experience, so you don’t pass through the same painful process I passed to develpe my confidence, and you can make a great interview to get into pharmaceutical sales.

If anything, just drop me a line and ask any question.  I’ll be glad to help you.

Elvis.

The post How to make a great interview to get into pharmaceutical sales. Interview Tips first appeared on How to get into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Quickly.

Career professionals have for a long time assessed body language as a method of knowing someone’s personality.

Below are Some Tips to Follow in an Interview

When Seated, Lean Completely Backwards
Sit steadily and rest your back upright adjacent to the chair. This is an automatic sign of self-confidence and assertion. In case you naturally slouch, create a mental picture that a string on top of your head is pulling you upwards.

Avoid Unswerving Eye Contact

Rather than this, opt for ‘straight face contact.’ To maintain an interested demeanor and look focused look at the person’s different areas of the face after two seconds, moving from the eyes, to the nose then lips, to avoid staring into the eyes of the interviewer.

Utilize Hand Movements while Talking

In case you are uncertain on how to handle your hands, you can gesture as you talk. When you are very anxious, you are tempted to keep your hands out of sight as they portray your worry. When you hide your hands, this can be misconstrued as suspicious conduct.

Display Your Palms

Upright palms indicate sincerity and commitment. The limbic part of the brain detects optimism and this makes the interviewer relax. This is one of the reasons why people shake hands; to display the open palms. This is related to survival instincts. We go on the defensive if we do not view open palm movements. Generally, body language which faces upwards like smiles, open palms and upright posture makes you appear active.

Place Your Feet on the Floor

It is advisable to keep the feet firmly on the floor. Women should avoid ever crossing their knees, but the ankles instead, as this enables them to change if needed, in a discreet manner. Scientifically, it is beneficial to keep your feet on the ground. It is possible to respond to very difficult queries when you place your two feet on the ground.

Manage Your Walking Style

Most often, interviewers make a decision to hire in the initial 10 seconds when they meet you. Your manner of walking may affect this decision. Pull the shoulders back and elongate the neck. Each step should be about one or two feet in width.

Walk straight to the individual you are going to meet, with each part of your body directed where he is. Maintain eye contact and occasionally break to the side.

Take a deep breath and speak after exhaling

One method of calming interview nerves is breathing appropriately. It is advisable to inhale when you are asked a question by the interviewer. Allow the air to flow after you speak upon exhaling. When you breathe deeply, you become calm and the heart rate is lowered, as well as blood pressure and hormone level stress.

As you Listen, Bob your head

Apart from maintaining face and eye contact, bob your head as this is an extra method of portraying concentration. It also shows you are following what is being said and enjoying the interaction.

Lean Forward

It is natural to lean in when you become engaged in a conversation. When you lean forward a bit and keep your chest high and shoulders back, this shows interest. Your posture is an important section of your silent communication.

Additional Information

Phone Interviews

When having a phone interview, placing your feet firmly on the ground have been found to be beneficial.

Other experts advice to smile as you talk over the phone, as this triggers some positive NLP signs that believe it or not, are perceived by the other person.

It is also advisable to walk during the phone interview. I personally always do this. I am not sure why, but it makes me feel more secure and active during the process.

Hope it helps!

The post Body Language Tips for Your Pharmaceutical Sales Job Interviews first appeared on How to get into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Quickly.