5 Ways NOT to Get Hired as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Over the last few years, I've helped hundreds ofprofessionally written resume. Consider it an
people successfully land jobs as pharmaceuticalinvestment in your career. After all, why wouldn't you
representatives. But there's still work to be done! If I'vespend $300 bucks to make $50,000 - year after year
learned anything over the years, it's that some peopleafter year (plus bonuses)?
learn differently than others. It is said that the great3. Be a liar
inventor Thomas Edison failed nearly 25,000 timesYou want to prevent yourself from getting any job?
before he created the battery. When asked what heJust lie. The pharma industry is under intense scrutiny
thought of all his failures he replied, "I haven't failed.from consumer watchdog groups and the federal
Over the last 20 years I've learned 25,000 ways NOTgovernment. They don't need a liar to complicate what,
to make a battery."in many cases, is already a delicate relationship. Be
So, in the spirit of Thomas Edison, I bring to you, 5honest, be yourself, work hard, mind your P'S and Q'S
ways NOT to get hired as pharmaceutical salesand you'll be fine. There's no need to be a liar.
representative.4. Don't prepare for the interview
1. Send your resumé hopelessly off into theIt's not a stretch to say that a pharmaceutical sales
neverland that we call the Internet.interview is one of the toughest, most competitive
Before you go ballistic and tell me that job sites work,interviews you will ever face. There are a boatload of
hear me out. Job sites do work. Sometimes. Theother people out there Jonesing for the same job you
majority of all jobs, however, especially pharmaceuticalwant. And they want it BAD. If you don't prepare for
sales jobs, are filled through referrals. If you want toyour interview, they will beat you. Study the industry.
give online submissions a shot, go ahead. If you reallyStudy the company. Review common interview
want to make strides toward getting a pharma salesquestions. Most importantly, know yourself and know
job, spend your time networking and get a referralyour [from the heart] answers to those interview
from a current drug rep or district manager.questions backwards, forwards, and in your sleep.
2. Be a scrooge about self improvement and5. Don't follow up with your contacts
promotion materials.We've already discussed how important networking is
Are you listening? The pharmaceutical industry isin this search. What's more important than knowing
rather infamous for its ability to create kick-buttsomeone who is in a position to help you? Being able
marketing campaigns that generate results. Make noto remind that person of his/her ability to help you and
mistake, your job search is a full on, all out, high intensityencouraging him/her to do so! Practice saying this to
marketing campaign. The product is you. Pharmaeveryone you talk to about business. "OK John, I'll
companies create awesome campaigns because theycheck in with you in a few weeks to see if you need
aren't afraid to spend a little money to generateanything else from me?" It's low key. It's low pressure.
maximum results. Be reasonable about how much youBut it gives you a reason to follow up with your
can (and should) spend while looking for a job as acontacts and hold them accountable for any action
pharma rep, but don't be so darned determined to do ityou've requested on their part.
for free! Spend some money on a book or two toThere probably are 24,999 ways not to get hired as a
improve your interview skills, to learn a little bit aboutpharmaceutical sales representative, but these should
companies you might be interviewing with, or on aget you off to a good start!