Today we're going to answer another question, and still on the subject of sales job in pharmaceutical company application ...
I look around the world wide web before I type a single word to answer what's the best job to have before applying for a pharmaceutical sales job. I expect to see intelligent answers from experts or folks who know what to talk about.
But I can safely say that none of them specifically address the issue.
There is a mix of answers about why you want to be a pharmaceutical sales reps, what you need to prepare, steps you need to take, and so on, but no specific answer to the best job to have before you joined the pharmaceutical company.
So heed my answer folks, and think about it before you apply any sales job with a pharma company.
Why?
Let me explain myself...
A few articles are suggesting that you need a degree before applying for pharma sales. They said that it is a sort of requirement. One piece even suggests an MBA because it noted that such job combines science and business.
And I say, out loud, "Oh crap!"
When I first land a job with a pharma company, MNC company I might add, my teammates were from various backgrounds. I had colleagues who work as steward and stewardess before, nurses, bank tellers, pharmacists, and staffs from the previous company that was bought over by the present one.
I know many of them were without a diploma or degree!
Maybe that's how things are in your country. It's NOT over here. The playing field looks more level here, at least. You might land a job in pharmaceutical sales, even with a minimum academic qualification. There's no doubt that pharma rep needs to be equipped with a science background, but that can be trained.
I know a rep from a generic company who carries more than 60 products! But not all the products she needs to promote. Some of them fall into actual reminded products and require very little attention.
Perhaps the reps from branded companies, who promote specialty products like oncology products, that deals with cancer treatment, cardio products that deals with heart problems, or nephrology products that address dialysis needs, have to be more intelligent than others.
But my Sales Manager, who's in charge of newly launch beta blockers at that time, was a bank teller before. The amount of time he spent interacting with a cardiologist, somehow, transform him into someone fluent with the science of the heart.
I remember he simplified the concept of neurohormonal antagonist to us.
Simply stunning!
And the message is: knowledge can be acquired, and competencies can be developed!
In my all time, favorite book on selling, WOMBAT, Michael Hewitt Gleeson recommends recruiting people from a background like teaching, lab technologist, even soldiers to work in sales.
Why?
Because the selling concept he introduces is totally different from what's available in the market, currently:
No problem. Provided that you're open to new concept and show high energy to succeed in sales, you can start applying for sales rep job with a pharma company.
No problem. Start cultivating your network before you apply for the job, while you're on the job, and why not after you no longer attached to the industry. You'll never know who you might end up connecting with (in a positive sense, of course!).
I've covered this. Right? Just be open minded and teachable.
Don't freak out. Focus. You are looking at one of the most sophisticated free resources on the world wide web, that lends you a helping hand, without asking any favor in return - this blog!
Well, perhaps just your prayer to keep me providing quality, no charge, helpful info for others.
If you're feeling stuck in a rut, and need a room to breathe, and you have been considering changing your current vocation to selling, with all the limitation you have in your mind, you can possibly land a job in pharmaceutical sales eventually, provided you keep an open mind, cultivate the right attitude and pursue your dream relentlessly.
So heed my answer folks, and think about it before you apply any sales job with a pharma company.
Any Job is the Best Job Before Join Pharmaceutical Sales
Why?
Let me explain myself...
A few articles are suggesting that you need a degree before applying for pharma sales. They said that it is a sort of requirement. One piece even suggests an MBA because it noted that such job combines science and business.
And I say, out loud, "Oh crap!"
When I first land a job with a pharma company, MNC company I might add, my teammates were from various backgrounds. I had colleagues who work as steward and stewardess before, nurses, bank tellers, pharmacists, and staffs from the previous company that was bought over by the present one.
I know many of them were without a diploma or degree!
Maybe that's how things are in your country. It's NOT over here. The playing field looks more level here, at least. You might land a job in pharmaceutical sales, even with a minimum academic qualification. There's no doubt that pharma rep needs to be equipped with a science background, but that can be trained.
I know a rep from a generic company who carries more than 60 products! But not all the products she needs to promote. Some of them fall into actual reminded products and require very little attention.
Perhaps the reps from branded companies, who promote specialty products like oncology products, that deals with cancer treatment, cardio products that deals with heart problems, or nephrology products that address dialysis needs, have to be more intelligent than others.
But my Sales Manager, who's in charge of newly launch beta blockers at that time, was a bank teller before. The amount of time he spent interacting with a cardiologist, somehow, transform him into someone fluent with the science of the heart.
I remember he simplified the concept of neurohormonal antagonist to us.
Simply stunning!
And the message is: knowledge can be acquired, and competencies can be developed!
In my all time, favorite book on selling, WOMBAT, Michael Hewitt Gleeson recommends recruiting people from a background like teaching, lab technologist, even soldiers to work in sales.
Why?
Because the selling concept he introduces is totally different from what's available in the market, currently:
- No sales experience?
No problem. Provided that you're open to new concept and show high energy to succeed in sales, you can start applying for sales rep job with a pharma company.
- No connection?
No problem. Start cultivating your network before you apply for the job, while you're on the job, and why not after you no longer attached to the industry. You'll never know who you might end up connecting with (in a positive sense, of course!).
- No science background?
I've covered this. Right? Just be open minded and teachable.
- No nothing?
Don't freak out. Focus. You are looking at one of the most sophisticated free resources on the world wide web, that lends you a helping hand, without asking any favor in return - this blog!
Well, perhaps just your prayer to keep me providing quality, no charge, helpful info for others.
If you're feeling stuck in a rut, and need a room to breathe, and you have been considering changing your current vocation to selling, with all the limitation you have in your mind, you can possibly land a job in pharmaceutical sales eventually, provided you keep an open mind, cultivate the right attitude and pursue your dream relentlessly.
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