If you have aspirations to become a Medical Sales Representative and you feel that this exciting and rewarding career is for you, here are some key factors to consider…
Degree
A science-based degree is ideal. Preferred subjects include: Biomedical Science, Pharmacology and Sport and Exercise Science. Other subjects will also be considered.
Research
Researching the Medical Sales industry is crucial!
Some recruiters will insist upon you doing this before they are able to work with you on vacancies, and hiring managers will certainly expect you to have a good understanding of the following at first stage interview so it’s well worth taking the time to understand the following:
• The day to day responsibilities of being a Medical Rep
• The structure of the NHS (Primary Care, Secondary Care, Clinical Commissioning Groups)
• ABPI Code of Practice (Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry) which you can find here.
• NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)
• NHS England
Shadowing
Shadowing a Medical Sales Rep will definitely increase your chances of breaking into the industry. It will give you a great insight into the role and what you can expect to be doing on a day to day basis. It also shows your commitment to breaking into the industry.
Lots of graduates think they will enjoy a career in medical sales, but once you have gained the shadowing experience, you can truly say that it’s the career for you!
Hiring managers usually have a preference for graduate CVs which include shadowing experience for the above reasons.
“The best way to make your CV stand out from the crowd and to show your enthusiasm for medical sales is to go out on the road for a day shadowing an experienced rep” – Lauren Ward, Graduate Recruitment Manager at Evolve
Sales / Customer Facing Experience
Experience working in a sales or customer facing environment is advantageous, even if it was only on a part time basis while studying. Usually in these environments, you will gain exposure to working to targets and learn skills which can be transferred to a career in medical sales.
Key Skills and Competencies
Do you have the skills and competencies required to be successful in this fast-paced environment…?
Are you target driven and goal orientated?
Are you a great relationship builder?
Do you have planning and prioritisation skills?
Are you self-motivated?
Are you an effective communicator?
If you are a recent graduate and looking to grow your career in this challenging, yet rewarding and fulfilling environment, feel free to contact us for further information, or email graduates@evolvecouk.com to discuss how we can help you.
Evolve’s Graduate Programme is designed to help you every step of the way, from writing your CV, to helping you to prepare for interviews and to securing your first position.
