Pharmaceutical Sales Recruiter,
Pharmaceutical Recruiters
Disclose Trade Secrets!
Pharmaceutical Sales Recruiter reveals...
How to win-over pharmaceutical recruiters and score pharmaceutical sales jobs! It's unlike any "how to get a pharma sales job" information you've encountered before!
These tips give you the "inside track" on how to work with recruiters-gain their confidence, respect, and most of all...their assistance in landing a sales rep job!
While most pharmaceutical sales information "out there" merely glosses over the role of a pharmaceutical sales recruiter in landing jobs...we're taking it a step further.
Why?
Because pharmaceutical sales recruiters are the only link between managers and candidates; the power and influence they yield is mindboggling!
In one swift motion, they can catapult or eliminate your chances of landing an interview! Does this sound like a group of professionals it would be wise to overlook?
First, let's learn a little bit about pharmaceutical recruiters, and answer your questions in the process - what they do, how they are paid, how to prepare for interviews with recruiters, salary negotiations, and more importantly...how they can help you land a pharmaceutical sales job!
Pharmaceutical Recruiters: Who do they work for? How are they paid?
The majority of pharmaceutical sales recruiters are not "hired" by pharmaceutical companies. Rather, the recruiting agency and pharmaceutical company create a contract to utilize the recruiter's services, then award fees on a contingency basis. Very simply...if the recruiter refers the winning candidate, the recruiter will be awarded fees. The point of this is...the pharmaceutical recruiter's client is the pharma company, not the pharmaceutical sales candidate. Therefore, the client pays the fees, and not the candidate.
What, exactly, is the role of a pharmaceutical sales recruiter?
A hiring manager will contact the recruiting agency with job details and candidate requirements. Based on the qualities, skills, and experience most desired by the specific pharma company, a pharmaceutical sales recruiter will search for a candidate that closely matches and in many cases...exceeds those requirements.
How does a Pharmaceutical Sales Recruiter find candidates?
Pharmaceutical sales recruiters conduct candidate searches thru job boards, resume distribution services, and other online activities. However, most recruiters utilize their industry contacts and extensive, networking skills to find the best, most qualified candidates.
After screening a number of candidates, the recruiter will forward the qualified candidates' resumes to the hiring manager, along with a synopsis of the candidates' skills and experience. Based upon the resume and additional information provided by the recruiter, a hiring manager will narrow the list to a select few, and schedule interviews.
How are Pharmaceutical Recruiters involved in the pharmaceutical sales job interview process?
In the majority of cases, because of the hiring manager's limited time, the recruiter will set up the interviews, provide feedback to both parties and aid in negotiation nearly every step of the way. However, it simply depends on the style of the hiring manager; some may wish to "take over" after the interviews are scheduled and no longer utilize the recruiter as a resource.
When you speak with a recruiter, you'll need to ask questions similar to the following: (1)In response to the recruiter stating your resume will be forwarded to the manager...ask, "Will the next call I receive come from you or the hiring manager?" or (2)When the recruiter states that you'll be called for a first interview within a specified amount of time...ask, "After my first interview, whose call should I expect - yours or the hiring manager?" The answers will tell you the kind of relationship the pharmaceutical sales recruiter and hiring manager share.
What kind of recruiter should an aspiring pharmaceutical sales rep choose to work with?
For someone trying to get into pharma sales, it is best to work with pharmaceutical recruiters that act as "liasons" between candidates and hiring managers. In this manner, both the candidate and hiring manager utilize the pharmaceutical recruiter as a resource, and view the recruiter as a knowledgeable professional. When the hiring manager feels comfortable with the knowledge and experience of a pharmaceutical sales recruiter, he/she will typically "hand-over" much of the duties and communication involved in the interview process.
Good pharmaceutical recruiters maintain close, professional relationships with their hiring managers, and make a hefty income because of the extent of their influence.
Enough Already....Tell me why it's so important to work with a pharmaceutical sales recruiter that serves as a liason between candidates and the hiring manager?
Ok...guess we'll have to spell it out for you...the closer the relationship of the recruiter and hiring manager, the more control the "liason" recruiter has over the interview process. Thus, the recruiter is in a better position to influence the managers decision - in your favor, of course!
So, if you've been paying attention, you should know what to do next. Your first "job" is to win-over pharmaceutical recruiters!
Huh? What? How?
First, you need to be able to reach them on the phone. Wait a minute, that's impossible, right? We thought you'd say that! Lucky for you we've got it all written down - a step by step method of what to do, plus a telephone script and an example letter...we're not leaving anything to chance! You'll be amazed at the instant success you experience! Just look below for our special offer.
Oh, and by the way...we've got a LOT MORE scripts, tips, and interview strategies to help you win pharmaceutical sales jobs in our weekly "Fast Track to Pharma" career newsletter.
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Ok...Back to Business...
Here's the Summary of what we've covered, thus far: The majority of pharmaceutical sales recruiters are true industry experts.
They keep up-to-date on industry trends, hot pipeline products, and they know the management style of the companies for which they recruit. A good pharmaceutical sales recruiter has a thorough understanding of client needs, priorities, expectations and long term goals. Pharmaceutical recruiters then apply that knowledge to match client wants and needs with candidate strengths.
Now that I know about good pharmaceutical recruiters, where do I find them?
We're only recommending the brightest and the best! Check back in the next few weeks; you'll find a comprehensive listing of great pharmaceutical sales recruiters.
Pharmaceutical Sales Recruiter:
How to Prepare For A
Pharmaceutical Sales Interview!
What should I do to prepare myself for an interview with a Pharmaceutical Sales Recruiter?
Here's what to do:
- Grab a 3 ring binder and place it by the phone - in an area with the least amount of traffic and noise.
- Second, insert your resume into the binder.
- Third, make a list of "why I want a pharmaceutical sales job" - orient the answers to show that you know exactly what goes on in the daily life of a pharmaceutical rep.
Impress your pharmaceutical sales recruiter by knowing the training, goals, duties, and schedule of a pharmaceutical rep. Click here!
- Third, create a list of "why this company should hire me" - again, think of the key skills and abilities required in pharma sales and link to your experiences.
- Next comes your sales page. Provide data and/or examples of selling opportunities and results. This is especially important if your previous career is not considered a true, sales career. Think of how you've changed people's minds or influenced them in a way that encouraged them to "buy into" your way of thinking. Creating this page will "arm you" with the information needed to successfully answer sales-experience questions.
- Finally, jot down a couple of different closes. For example, (1)"I'm really interested in pursuing a pharmaceutical sales position because...(link your skills/experience to their requirements); when will I hear from you next?" or (2)"I'm anxious to begin the interview process and believe my skills and experience would make a great contribution to (company name); will you recommend me for an interview with the hiring manager?"
- Compile the documents and place in the notebook.
Now you'll be ready at a moment's notice...thereby increasing your confidence, "wowing" your pharmaceutical sales recruiter and winning an interview with the hiring manager!
What questions should I ask the pharmaceutical sales recruiter to help me succeed in the interview with the hiring manager?
Here's our list of questions, which also work well for informational interviews with pharma rep or managers from other companies. Utilize any way you see fit!
- What specific qualities, skills and experience is the hiring manager looking for?
- What are the manager's hot buttons (specific needs and wants, as well as what the manager doesn't want)?
- What personality-type is the hiring manager?
Analytical-fact checker, wants to see proof sources,
Expressive-great personality, good conversationalist and sense of humor,
Dominant-wants to be in control of the interview, has a need to lead,
Passive-somewhat friendly but quiet, difficult to read.
Based on the personality style, you'll know what to focus on within the interview. - What issues are paramount to success within this company?
- Are there current problems/issues in the territory?
- Why is this position open?
- How long have you been recruiting for this company? What personal insights can you share with me about this company?
- Can you provide names and numbers of other pharma reps that you've placed with this company? Contact these reps and learn great "insider" information about the company and its overall management style.
- What bonus is this territory currently bringing in? What was the companies highest bonus payout last year? (This question is mainly for uncapped bonus pay structures where there is much discrepancy in bonus figures from one territory to the next.)
Learn more about pharmaceutical sales rep compensation, here!
- What is the company environment? Strict, loose or somewhere in-between? How does management support reps?
Finding the answers to these questions will definitely put you ahead of the competition!
What if I have specific salary requirements, should I tell the pharmaceutical sales recruiter before the interview?
Yes, yes and yes! If the salary and bonus information quoted to you by the recruiter simply won't work for you...please share that with your pharmaceutical sales recruiter. You don't want to act like you're happy with the compensation, and then later bring it up as a bone of contention. The recruiter will feel that you're not completely honest, and will relay that to the manager.
Don't worry...you don't have to tell the recruiter the exact dollar amount you need. Instead, ask the recruiter, "How flexible are the company salary guidelines?" Then, you may want to give the pharmaceutical sales recruiter a specific salary range by saying, "I understand the company usually starts new reps at 50k, but I'm looking for the $53-56k range. Do you think that's possible, based on your experience with this company?" The recruiter will utilize past experience plus "insider" knowledge of the company to determine if your proposal will be considered by the pharmaceutical sales company.
Occassionally, for exceptional candidates that the hiring manager seems to be "sold on", the pharmaceutical recruiters will ask the manager to consider higher salary requirements, as long as it doesn't override HR salary guidelines.
Please Note: Don't misunderstand this advice...telling the recruiter your salary guidelines is much different than disclosing to the hiring manager. Do not discuss salary information with the hiring manager until you are offered the job.
PERIOD!
If your pharmaceutical sales recruiter thinks your salary requirements are "way out of line" for this specific position, he/she will let you know that this may not be the opportunity for you. However, If your pharmaceutical sales recruiter believes your salary requirements are not "out of line", he/she will leave it up to you to sell yourself within the interview process and negotiate a higher salary, once you're offered the job.
If I'm called for a position by a 1st recruiter, and then another pharmaceutical sales recruiter calls me for the same position, should I send another resume through the 2nd recruiter? Will it increase my chances of landing an interview?
No, it can actually knock you out of the interview process. Why, because you are usually asked by pharmaceutical recruiters if you have previously spoken with anyone about the specific position. If you say no when you actually have...it will bite you in the seat later on!
Why?
You'll be viewed as untrustworthy and dishonest. The manager will find out because he/she will receive the same resume (yours) from 2 different sources. Tell the 2nd recruiter that you've already submitted a resume to another pharmaceutical sales recruiter. Then, ask the recruiter if any other positions are available; also, don't forget to ask for referrals to other pharmaceutical recruiters.
I have contacted many pharmaceutical recruiters, but am getting no response! Why is that? What can I do differently?
A pharmaceutical sales recruiter must work in a very efficient manner. Recruiters often place up to 120 calls per day, especially when networking for candidates. This produces a large volume of return calls, usually in the number of 40-70 calls per day! In addition to those calls, a pharma rep recruiter must prep candidates for interviews and provide feedback to both managers and candidates currently in the interview process.
It is no wonder that recruiters are not able to return all calls! Could you? A pharmaceutical sales recruiter must prioritize calls, which means that your call will not be returned unless it has a direct relationship to the job(s) he/she is currently working on.
And, candidates without previous experience? Sorry to be so blunt, but you're usually the "bottom of the pile" on the priority list. OUCH!
Ok, now I understand why pharmaceutical recruiters aren't calling me back...but what can I do about it?
We're about to reveal a secret that will drastically increase the number of call-backs you'll receive from pharmaceutical recruiters and make them literally stop what they're doing and rush to help you.
It's all revealed in our special report, free when you subscribe to our FANTASTIC newsletter.
That's all the information we've got for you, today. But remember, a list of great pharmaceutical recruiters will "magically appear" in the next week, so...come on back!
Plus, check out our other informative, pharmaceutical sales pages...
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Pharmaceutical Sales Resume and Pharmaceutical Sales Cover Letters
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