How to get your pharmaceutical sales career off the ground

So you're looking to progress your pharma sales career? Any professional working in pharmaceutical sales knows the gravity of their contribution to the healthcare industry. Without their commitment, patient care wouldn’t be where it is today. It's one of the main reasons people choose a medical sales career. Career development is up there too.

If you're an ambitious medical sales rep, there are so many opportunities ready for the taking. The latest shifts in the healthcare market, like digitally-enabled care and a focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, mean there's never been a more exciting time to look for a pharma sales job. Here's how to get your career off the ground.

What credentials do you need?

When kicking off your pharma sales rep career, the first thing to focus on is establishing yourself as an expert. You will find that many employers prefer a bachelor's degree in marketing, communication, customer service, etc.

However, in some cases a high school diploma or equivalent is enough to get your foot in the door, as long as you have strong customer relations skills and an awareness of changing medical landscape. Staying current will also help you set yourself apart from other job seekers.

Another option is a voluntary certification which the National Association of Pharmaceutical Representatives (NAPR) offers to pharma sales reps. Employers will see this on your medical sales resume and recognize this as a commitment to your career.

Show an eagerness to develop

It takes time and dedication to advance your career to a senior level, but if you want to speed up your progress, you need to seize every leadership opportunity that comes your way. Perhaps you're asked to attend a workshop or encouraged to take on a leadership role among other sales associates. Whatever it might be, don't hesitate to push yourself.

Leadership opportunities will look great on your resume because employers appreciate that you are passionate about progressing within medical sales. Also, there's no better way to expand your understanding of the healthcare market and grow your skillset.

Nurture your network

While Covid-19 might have long-lasting effects, as many as 80% of physicians admitted they still prefer to perform face-to-face visits with pharmaceutical sales personnel. Why? Because doctors understand that corporate ties are still crucial in uncertain times.

As a result, building relationships is an important part of the job for any pharmaceutical representative. Whatever area of medical sales you're looking to specialize in, perhaps that's developing your medical devices career, you need to build strong connections across the industry.

Think about your personal brand

Just as the way a drug or medical device is marketed will influence its success, how you market yourself will shape your reputation within the medical community. So when you're looking at how to get into medical sales, first think about your personal brand.

Medical sales companies, coworkers, and clients will all likely form an opinion of you right from the get-go. So make sure it's a good one. Make a concerted effort to keep your word whenever you make a commitment to a client, whether it's to conduct research for them or to follow up with them at a specific time. You never know what doors could open if you make a good impression on someone.

Take your pharmaceutical sales career to the next level with IQVIA

We're on a mission to improve the care that patients receive by investing our time into finding better solutions. Does that sound like a journey you want to be a part of? If so, you'll be happy to know that we have a dedicated team who will support you through your job-seeking process.

Check out our latest pharma sales rep jobs in the US and get your career going.