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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

General Information
Tips On Getting In

Case Histories Of people who successfully broke into Pharma Sales:
Case History #1

Case History #2

Case History #3

Case History #4

Commonly Asked Question:
Do Reps really make lots of money? Big bonuses? 

How many products does a rep carry; how do you get paid bonus on them?

Basic Requirements for being a drug rep?
I think I want to be a pharmaceutical sales representative, but how can I know for sure?

How necessary is it to have a 4 - year degree? 

Is a scientific degree/ sales experience required

Am I too old to land a job in pharmaceutical sales?

How long should I expect my job search to last?

I'm willing to relocate for the right pharmaceutical sales job.  Will this help me ?

Will a DWI hurt my chances of being hired as a pharmaceutical rep?

I have bad credit; will this hurt my chances ?

Information  On
Landing the job

Will an MBA or other advanced degree improve my chances of being hired as a pharmaceutical sales rep?

What are the pros and cons of working with a recruiter?

How important is the resume in landing a pharmaceutical sales job?

How do I shop for a resume writer?

What are the essentials that should appear on my resume?

What about a cover letter?

What is the best way to land a job in pharmaceutical sales?

What if nobody will give me reps' business cards?

Are newspaper advertisements a good way to find a job in pharm sales?

What is a Job-Fair?  How useful are they?

What do companies look for at Job-Fairs?

What are the pros and cons of working at a small pharmaceutical company versus one of the biggies?

I am in college. What can I do to enhance my odds of being hired as a  pharmaceutical sales representative?

The Interview Process

Why do the drug companies give so many interviews; why does the process take so long ?

What should I bring to an interview? 

What is proper etiquette for a "ride-along?"

I have been on several interviews but received no offers.  What could I be doing wrong?

Daily Operations/ Miscellaneous
Do Reps really make large bonuses?  How many products does a rep carry and how do you get paid bonus on them?

If I'm hired, what kind of training can I expect?

What is a typical day for a pharmaceutical sales representative?

How many sales calls are you required to make each day?

What is a contract sales company ?

Should I accept a contract sales position if my real goal is to work directly for a drug company?

I am lucky enough to have more than one job offer.  How do I decide?

When the economy does a downturn, what is the job market like for pharmaceutical sales reps?

If I am hired, and I have poor sales, will I be fired ?

What are some of the things that you don't like about being a pharmaceutical rep?
   
What's the hardest thing about being a  rep ?


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Frequently Asked Questions regarding the profession of
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

See Also:[ Pharm Rep Tips] [Pharm Rep FAQ from Anne Clayton]


Q: What is a typical day for a pharmaceutical sales representative?

A: One of the nice things about being a rep is that each day is different.

Here's what  a typical Friday is like for me:

I start about 7:45 AM and get home about 6:00 PM.  Fridays are always the busiest and most productive in my territory because on Fridays there is a weekly medical meeting, called a "Grand Rounds" at a large institution in my area.

Daily Planner

7:45   Attend a grand rounds at the hospital early in the morning to meet my customers for a coffee and bagel and catch up on the latest in medical education.  Removed from their busy hectic private offices, the doctors are in their own environment in and they are mostly friendly and cordial.

Some of the doctors ask me to stop by their offices because they need drug samples or clinical information on my products.  I might work the room, making pseudo-appointments for later in the day

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10:00  Visit the hospital outpatient clinic and introduce my products to the residents and other house staff.  Answer any questions they have regarding dose, insurance coverage, pharmacokinetics, etc.

10:30  Call on a couple of pharmacies to see how well my products are selling and see if any new doctors have moved into town.

11:00 Call on a local HMO and give balanced product presentations pon the unique features and benefits of my medicines.

1:00 Take a client out for a modest lunch such as a hoagie or Pizza Hut or bring in lunch for a group of doctors.

2:00 - 5:30 Call on some of the doctors I saw at the hospital at their private offices.

6:00 - 10:00 PM - Every once in a while I may host an educational program and dinner at a local restaurant. 

The highlight of the program is a educational lecture and Power Point presentation given by a local or visiting expert in a disease state relating to one of the products I promote.  It is exciting to watch my doctors ask questions and pick the brain of the lecturer.   

During the day, I may squeeze in a meeting with my manager or colleagues to go over territory business and brainstorm on how we can promote our products in the most efficient, professional manner.

When I get home I do my expense report and any other paperwork that is due, pack my trunk with samples and goodies for the following week and check my sample inventory to make sure that it is accurate and up-to-date.

It's a long day but it has been fun and exciting to know that I am helping doctors keep up to date on the latest information regarding the unique features and benefits of the innovative products that my company has worked so hard to bring to market.

At the end of the day, when I think that somewhere in my territory there is a patient whose life has been improved because of a product I promote I get a warm fuzzy feeling and a deep sense of personable satisfaction.