3 Ways To Create Lasting Impression During Your Pharmaceutical Sales Job Interview

In the last installment, I've touched on how to better prepare for a pharmaceutical sales job interview. 

The job interview is the door to enter pharmaceutical selling, be it medicines or medical devices. 

Now that you've applied the strategies recommended in the last post, God willing, you've been given the date to attend an interview session.

Interview day. The day. D-Day. The moment you've been waiting for. You've prepared for this. You're ready.

Here's How to Create a Lasting Impression During Pharmaceutical Sales Job Interview

I'll just provide you with few more pointers that can assure you'll create an excellent impression that will last for a lifetime or as long as you serve the company. Here they are...

• Create a favorable impression upon entrance. And the most important person to impress is usually overlooked. Who is it? The receptionist or traditionally labeled as 'The Gate Keeper.' Project your image of confidence, prepared, and above all, friendly. That will be an added advantage to you because you can also do some groundwork and behind the scene info digging. More info means better equipped you are. More confidence and assurance to you. You need all the info you can get because...
• They asked you during the ice-breaking session. Now rather than they do all the asking which means allowing them more control, in between, you can be asked questions and show them a thing or two. I don't know about you, but if I'm the interviewer, I'm impressed. I'll be telling myself, "See how fast he can blend. Not bad at all."

Not bad at alley? OK. A typical interview will generally follow this pattern...

• Ice-breaking session. You know what this is.
• Spelling out the interview purpose.
• Spell out the interview plan and the most important about this is to get enough info for them to make a sound decision.

I also urge you to take note of something.

Do they take notes? 

Taking notes is a symbol of seriousness. 

Don't take seriously those who do not take you seriously.

There was a time when I was interviewed by a Country Manager of a multinational nutrition company for the Field Operation Manager post. The interview took place at a hotel. 3 persons plus the Country Manager interview none of them taken any notes and me. 

After 15 minutes of questions and answers, I excused myself. 

I just told them that I'm no longer interested. 

Why?

They never took me seriously. 

That's why.

But what if it's just a screening process? 

Screening means they want to evaluate whether you're worth to be called in for an interview. 

Still, taking notes is important because after this, they'll move to do your Key Background Review and the letters are imperative.

With or without form, they know what to look for in you from the answer you've given them. 

Have they not jot down anything, you can say they just assuming things. 

For a 100 K a year job, such practice is unacceptable, don't you think?

Now you knew how to enter the interview and create a lasting impression during a pharmaceutical sales job interview. 

Next, we'll explore one aspect of the meeting, and that is 'key background review.'

What will they look at during the Key Background Review? 

That's the topic of the next post.

Until then...