Every interview is different but as said in an earlier post, there is a common structure to each interview.

The first section will relate to your CV

You will be asked to talk through your CV, starting at any point.

HINT: KNOW YOUR CV BACKWARDS

The second section will focus on what you know about the job

HINT: DO YOUR RESEARCH THOROUGHLY

This section will include the following three questions:

What so you think the most difficult aspect of the job of Medical Sales Representative is?

The simple answer is ACCESS

The Pharma Representative (calling on GPs and Retail Pharmacists) will have to contend with the receptionist

The Pharma Representative will also have to work with GPs who do not see representatves or who see only once a year by annual appointment.

The Medical Equipment Representative will have difficulties making sure that they are seeing the right person and are in front of the purchaser.

How would you reach a doctor who does not see representatives?

Liaise with and work with ancillary staff (receptionists, medical secretaries, Practice Nurses, Ward Nurses, Theatre Staff, and Practice Managers)

Ask if you could write to the Medical professional and send him product information and literature

Invite him to spreaker meetings

See him at CME meetings

Support his practice or team in other ways (always complying with Code of Practice 2008 (IPHA)

You have strong Nursing experince/Management experience - why should I hire you as a Representative?

You could answer: I bring a wealth of experience which I can apply to managing my territory as a small business.  I have managed and been managed and in adopting the best of all that experience I would be an active team player, a willing employee and an excellent Medical Sales Representative

The next section of the interview will focus on YOU and questions abot YOU, your qualities, personal attributes and skills

A friend in one of Ireland’s larger Pharmaceutical Companies was telling me about a candidate who went for interview and didn’t know what a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative does?!

Well just in case you don’t know………….here is the drill:

Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives are employed by Pharmaceutical (Drug) Companies to sell company products, convey medical information and communicate directly with the medical profession.

Legal Drug Pushers then? Who said that? Well sort of!!

There are 45,000 licensed products on the market in Ireland so how can the doctor remember the finer details of each product?  They rely on the Pharmaceutical Sales Representative to come in with a briefcase full of branded items (pens, pads, tissue boxes, glove boxes, diaries - you name it really) and tell them the latest information on each product.

Pharmaceutical Sales to GPs, Practice Nurses, Hospital Doctors and Pharmacists is a great job and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a job in which you are out and about, meeting really professional people and communicating really important information.

In Pharmaceutical Sales you are making a quantifiable difference to patient lives by giving the doctor information he will use on the next suitable patient.

The job of Pharmaceutical Sales Representative is one of the most satisfying jobs there is.

As with Medical Sales, Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives come from a variety of backgrounds but with suitable training and support most go on to become excellent Representatives.