| Competition for jobs in medical sales can be fierce. | | | | 1-3 page outline of your first 3 months on the |
| Health care is a fascinating field, and the work | | | | job–how you will get your training, how you will get |
| environment for medical sales reps is exciting, lucrative, | | | | up to speed on current accounts, how you will bring in |
| and rewarding for those who want to really make a | | | | new customers, and so on. It's impressive because it |
| difference. However, sales interviews are difficult, | | | | is evidence of how much you want this job, and how |
| and interviews for jobs in medical device sales, | | | | hard you're willing to work, before you even get the |
| laboratory sales, biotech sales, imaging sales, or other | | | | job. It shows the hiring manager that you understand |
| health care sales are demanding. That means that | | | | the company, and you understand how to be |
| you're going to have to work a little harder to set | | | | successful in the job. A 30/60/90-day plan helps the |
| yourself apart from the competition and win the job. | | | | hiring manager to see you in the job, which then |
| If your background and experience are up to snuff, all | | | | makes it easier to make the decision to hire you. It |
| that's left is the interview. Here are six things you can | | | | also helps you guide the direction of the interview so |
| do that absolutely will work to make the most of the | | | | that you are sure to get your points across, and it |
| time you have in your interview to impress the hiring | | | | turns the interview into a conversation rather than a |
| manager and boost your chances of landing the job: | | | | question-and-answer session. You can certainly |
| 1. Research the company. In other words, do your | | | | make a 30-60-90-day plan yourself from scratch, but if |
| homework. There's no excuse for not knowing what | | | | you want to make your life easier, you can download |
| the company does, what its current issues are, what | | | | samples and a template with audio coaching from the |
| its goals are, where its products fit in the marketplace, | | | | Sales Recruiter. |
| and who the competition is. Your job is to take in this | | | | 5. Bring your brag book. A 30/60/90-day plan shows |
| information and use it to figure out how you can help | | | | the hiring manager what you will do, but a brag book |
| them reach their goals....and then frame your answers | | | | shows the hiring manager what you have done. It's |
| to interview questions accordingly. | | | | the evidence to back up what you say you can do. It |
| 2. Know what kinds of questions to expect from a | | | | should include your sales stats, performance reviews, |
| medical sales interview, like "Can you travel?" or, | | | | "good job" notes or emails, resume, certifications, |
| "How will you build your market?" Have answers | | | | PowerPoint presentations you've created, brochures |
| prepared for tough (but popular) interview questions | | | | you've done, and what types of products or |
| such as, "What's your greatest weakness?" (definitely | | | | equipment you've marketed. A really thick brag book |
| use a real weakness that helps you be a great sales | | | | with a few critical things highlighted (that you show the |
| rep--but not perfectionism) or "Why should we hire | | | | hiring manager) is especially effective. |
| you?" Especially be ready for behavioral interview | | | | 6. Know how to close the interview. If you're in sales, |
| questions focused on tough situations you've had to | | | | you know how to close the sale. A job interview is |
| deal with, or goals you've achieved and how you did | | | | the same process, except that the product you're |
| it. Quantify your answers whenever possible. Hiring | | | | selling is yourself. This is one of the most important |
| managers want sales reps who know their job is to | | | | sales calls of your life. Don't leave without asking for |
| ring the cash register. | | | | the job. Whether you ask for it directly or you use an |
| 3. Dress appropriately, and watch your body | | | | assumptive close by asking about the next step, it's |
| language. Dressing appropriately means dressing | | | | important that you uncover any objections the hiring |
| conservatively with no flashy jewelry or strong | | | | manager might have while you're right there to answer |
| perfume. If you're not sure about your job interview | | | | them. |
| body language, find a book to study, or research body | | | | Being well-prepared for the interview will boost your |
| language online. Try making a video of yourself and | | | | confidence, present you as a better candidate, and |
| get a friend to help you critique it. | | | | help you smoothly navigate the interview toward |
| 4. Create a 30/60/90-day sales plan, which is a short, | | | | getting the job offer. |