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Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Questions: What Questions Should I Ask When I Ride Along With a Rep? December 2, 2005 22:22 |
OK...because so many of you have been asking about tips and pharmaceutical sales interview questions for rep ride-alongs, I thought I better respond! The pharmaceutical rep ride-along is a wonderful opportunity to gain credibility with the rep, gain valuable insider information about the manager and the company, and gain valuable insight into the role of a pharmaceutical rep. But, do you know the right questions to ask?
First, focus on the rep...because everyone likes it when another person shows interest, right? You may wish to ask questions like the following:
Next, focus on obtaining insider information by asking these questions:
Now, it's time to SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW! The following questions are designed to let the pharmaceutical rep know you've done your homework (you HAVE done it, right?):
Any answer you gain can and SHOULD be used in the interview process. Draw upon those answers to prove to the manager that you are the SOLUTION to their needs. If there is a direct opening...please know that everything you say and do in the ride-along will be relayed to the manager, so you must act in a professional manner. Be kind and courteous at all times, and please...do not interrupt conversations between prescribers and the pharmaceutical rep.
In summary, asking intelligent questions is the key to a successful ride-along with a pharmaceutical rep. And, if there is an opening within the company, don't forget to "close" the rep by asking for his/her recommendation!
~To your success,
Your Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Coach
P.S. Don't forget to look at our archives for more great answers to Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Questions!
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Pharmaceutical Sales Resumes: Is Utilizing Your Picture in Your Resume a "Good Thing"? December 10, 2005 12:02 |
Pharmaceutical Sales Resumes are sent to human resource professionals, hiring managers, and recruiters by the hundreds on a daily basis. Will yours stand out? And, will placing your picture in your resume be an attention-getter or trash-builder?
To answer, a variety of factors must be considered before placing your photo in your resume:
If your resume is not strong, including the photo will be in poor taste. It will make it look as though you're counting on your looks to get you "in". You simply must have the skills, experience, and abilities needed for pharmaceutical sales jobs...and then you may consider placing the photo in your resume.
Utilize this method to gain your 1st job in pharma, where there's a slew of competitors and you need an edge. After gaining experience, it would be frowned upon to utilize your photo in your resume. Instead, you'll utilize your exemplary track record and sales performance to gain the edge over other experienced candidates, when that time comes!
This method works best with pharmaceutical sales recruiters and direct pharmaceutical hiring managers, less with the pharma company's HR department. Why? Because the HR department is held to stricter rules regarding hiring. If their requirement is previous pharma sales experience, they won't consider a candidate without previous pharma sales experience. However, if the hiring manager has been given considerable latitude in hiring decisions, he/she may forego pharma experience in lieu of exceptional skills, abilities, outside sales experience and an attractive, professional appearance. Therefore, the hiring manager may call you for an interview, whereas the HR professional will probably not!
Hey, I hate to be brash, but let's be honest. Go to a medical clinic in your area and what do you see? Attractive pharma reps "dressed to the nines". Although no hiring manager, recruiter, or HR professional would admit it publicly...attractiveness sells. I've personally witnessed candidates gaining interviews because of it! If you're attractive and professional looking - I say go for it. Although some resume writers will tell you that photos on resumes are only for those in modeling or acting careers, that's simply incorrect. Sales is very much about looks. Psychologists have stated numerous test results where attractive people are perceived as smarter, harder workers, and nicer. So, if you're attractive....use it (in addition to your highly valued skills/abilities/accomplishments) to gain an interview. But, don't count on your looks to win the job. You've got to "interview smart"!
This should be obvious but I'll go over it anyway. If you are required to cut and paste your resume into a form, do not include your photo. Or, if you must send your resume as an ASCI II file, meaning a plain text file, don't include your photo. In fact, you really shouldn't include your photo in any resume sent via e-mail because of computer program incompatiblility issues. However, if you have the means to turn your resume into an ADOBE file, then you can send the resume (with photo) over the internet. This is totally acceptible as 99% of businesses utilize the free ADOBE software. (If you don't have the means to turn your resume into an ADOBE file or you're confused about any computer issues you may face in sending a resume over the internet, just send me a note, here.)
There, now I've said it...I know placing your photo in your resume may be controversial, but I've personally witnessed this working over and over again. However, getting the interview is only the first step. Winning the job is the ultimate goal. How to do that? Keep your eyes peeled to pharmaceutical sales interview questions and pharmaceutical sales interviews - the 2 best categories of this blog for interview advice! Within these 2 categories, you'll find new information added several times a week. And, coming soon...an incredible e-book designed to catapult your chances of winning a pharmaceutical sales job.
~To your success,
Your Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Coach
P.S. If you have questions about how to create incredible pharmaceutical sales resumes, simply click for great tips and strategies, plus a sample!
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Pharmaceutical Sales Resumes: How Can I Make My Experience Stand Out From the Pack? December 15, 2005 15:19 |
The Pharmaceutical Sales Resumes that I've seen as a Pharma Sales Recruiter have been - on the whole - pretty lackluster. With all the competition out there, you must create a resume that sends out a "call to action". In other words, after reading your resume the reviewer should be so hyped and impressed by your accomplishments that he/she immediately rushes to contact you. How can you create a "call to action"? Read on...
The three most important issues to consider when you're creating your experience section are as follows:
Now, the best way to showcase any of the above is by utilizing numbers. Why? Because the whole corporate world speaks in terms of numbers! Numbers speak volumes about you and what you "bring to the table". In addition, numbers are the "backbone" of Pharmaceutical Sales. Numbers speak of your effectiveness in the territory; numbers also drive your compensation!
For example, which of the following is more enticing:
OR
Obviously the impact of the second statement is much stronger.
Another powerful method of utilizing numbers is to employ comparisons. For example, instead of this statement: Improved territory sales ranking for market share to number 1. Try using a comparison statement instead: As territory's sole representative for the cardiovascular line, moved market share from #19 to #5 out of 20 districts in the region.
Some comparisons you might employ include the following:
Starting to get the picture?
In summary, effective use of numbers to showcase how positively you've affected the company's bottom line is the key to creating a "call to action". By utilizing these techniques outlined for your pharmaceutical sales resumes, you'll greatly increase your chances of getting that all-important, "when are you available for an interview?" call.
~To your success,
Your Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Coach
P.S. For additional, powerful strategies for pharmaceutical sales resumes, click on the "cool link" below.
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