30 questions you may be asked in your Pharmaceutical Sales interview
If you’ve got an upcoming interview for a Pharmaceutical Sales role, you’re likely going to be doing some preparation for the day.
It’s natural to be thinking “How do you stand out in a pharmaceutical sales interview?”.
Preparation is crucial and having a solid plan of your answers can help you make a lasting impression on your interviewer.
We’ve compiled a list of 30 questions that might come up as well as some example answers.
What questions are asked in a pharmaceutical sales rep interview?
This section is organized into thematic questions and segments to provide a clearer picture of the kinds of things you could be asked.
Background and Experience
- Tell me about yourself.
- What relevant experience do you have in pharmaceutical sales?
- How do your skills align with the requirements of this role?
- What do you know about our company and its products?
Sales Skills and Techniques
- Describe your approach to sales.
- How do you handle objections from potential clients?
- What strategies do you use to build and maintain customer relationships?
- How do you identify potential clients and leads?
Pharmaceutical Industry Knowledge
- What do you understand about the pharmaceutical industry and the products we sell?
- How do you stay updated on medical and pharmaceutical advancements?
- What challenges do you think the pharmaceutical industry is currently facing?
Product Knowledge
- Can you explain the features and benefits of our products?
- How would you promote and differentiate our products from competitors?
Teamwork and Collaboration
- How do you work with colleagues to achieve team targets?
- Can you share an experience where you collaborated successfully with a team member?
Time Management and Organization
- How do you prioritize your tasks and manage your time effectively?
- Describe a situation where you had to meet multiple deadlines simultaneously.
Handling Rejections
- How do you cope with rejection or a client's refusal to purchase?
- Can you share an experience where you turned a rejection into a successful sale?
Ethical Practices
- How do you ensure your sales practices remain ethical and compliant with industry regulations?
Presentation Skills
- Have you ever given a sales presentation? Can you share your approach and its outcome?
Customer Focus
- How do you identify the needs of your clients and align them with the products we offer?
Adaptability and Learning
- How do you adapt to changes in the pharmaceutical industry or the market?
- Can you describe a time when you quickly learned about a new product or medical information?
Goal Setting and Achievement
- How do you set sales targets for yourself, and how successful have you been in achieving them?
- Can you share an example of a challenging goal you achieved?
Conflict Resolution
- How do you handle conflicts or difficult situations with clients or colleagues?
Self-Motivation
- What drives you to succeed in pharmaceutical sales, and how do you stay motivated?
Closing Skills
- How do you approach closing a sale and securing the deal?
- Can you share a success story where your closing skills made a significant impact?
5 suggested answers to some common Pharmaceutical Sales interview questions
1. How do you handle objections from potential clients?
Suggested Answer: "Handling objections is an integral part of the sales process. When faced with objections, I actively listen to the client's concerns to understand their perspective better.
Then, I acknowledge their points and offer relevant information to address their specific concerns.
By demonstrating a deep knowledge of our products and their benefits, I can effectively counter objections and position our offerings as the best solution for their needs."
2. What do you understand about our company and its products?
Suggested Answer: "Your company is a leading pharmaceutical organization known for its innovative and high-quality products.
I've researched your product portfolio extensively and am particularly impressed by [specific product or achievement].
Your commitment to improving patients' lives aligns perfectly with my values.
I am excited about the opportunity to represent such a reputable company and contribute to the success of these groundbreaking products."
3. How do you work with colleagues to achieve team targets?
Suggested Answer: "Collaboration is key to achieving team targets in pharmaceutical sales.
I believe in fostering open communication and a supportive environment where everyone's strengths are utilized effectively.
By setting clear goals and assigning responsibilities based on individual expertise, we can work together cohesively.
I am always willing to lend a helping hand to team members who may need assistance, as our collective success is crucial to achieving overall sales objectives."
4. How do you ensure your sales practices remain ethical and compliant with industry regulations?
Suggested Answer: "Ethical conduct is paramount in pharmaceutical sales.
I strictly adhere to industry guidelines and regulations, ensuring that I am well-informed about any updates or changes.
I prioritize patient safety and confidentiality and never compromise on these principles for the sake of a sale.
Additionally, I am transparent with my clients about the benefits and potential risks of our products, ensuring they can make informed decisions."
5. Can you share an example of a challenging goal you achieved?
Suggested Answer: "One of the most challenging goals I achieved was when I was tasked with penetrating a new market for our company's latest product.
The market was highly competitive, and there were well-established competitors. I knew I had to devise a strategic approach.
I conducted in-depth market research, identified key opinion leaders, and leveraged my existing network to gain insights and build relationships.
Through persistence and innovative sales tactics, I secured several key partnerships, and within six months, our product gained significant market share in that region."
Find your next pharma sales job with IQVIA
There's no denying that the interview process can be hard. But the hard work does pay off when you land your ideal job.
What does that job look like to you? If it's a role that gives you the chance to improve and save patients' lives, deliver value to customers, and build a successful career, we might just have a place for you.
Browse our pharmaceutical sales rep jobs and move your career forward.
Or, receive the latest job alerts and never miss out on an opportunity.
Find out more about life at IQVIA
Did you know IQVIA has
1,200 +
epidemiologists
and real world insight experts
Did you know IQVIA has
70,000 + brave minds
from clinicians to data scientists each transforming healthcare in 100+ countries
Related jobs
Salary:
Location:
Chicago
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Sales
Location
Chicago
Description
**This is a pipeline job posting to gather resumes for future roles**Join the IQVIA team, where diversity and inclusion thrive in a workplace committed to improving patients' lives. We recognize that
Reference
R1443097
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Larry ShoupAuthor
Larry ShoupSalary:
Location:
Albany, Hartford, White Plains, New Haven
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Sales
Location
Hartford
Albany
White Plains
New Haven
Description
As the only global provider of commercial solutions, IQVIA understands what it takes to deliver nationally and internationally. Our teams help biopharma, medical device and diagnostic companies get t
Reference
R1449326
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Lesley FriesAuthor
Lesley FriesSalary:
Location:
Chicago
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Sales Training
Location
Chicago
Description
Training Manager The Training Manager is responsible for developing Sales Professionals learning and coaching activities that result in increased performance and business results across the nation. Th
Reference
R1450246
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Lesley FriesAuthor
Lesley FriesRelated posts
Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
10/04/2024
Summary
Virtual Sales has a growing presence in the healthcare and medical solutions industry, especially since the pandemic. Virtual Sales is set to be the new normal, even as we’ve emerged on the other si
by
Lesley Fries
Teaser
Medical Sales & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
05/02/2024
Summary
According to a Forbes Insights Report, three in four people are likely to purchase based on the experience alone. So in the world of customer service, providing a memorable experience is key. What d
Teaser
Medical Affairs & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
01/11/2024
Summary
Ready to be the hero patients didn't know they needed? If you’re a skilled technician or engineer experienced in servicing healthcare technology, searching for purpose in your role, healthcare could b
IQVIA has been behind my development to become a MSL. The contracts that I have worked on have allowed me to push clinical projects with a recent opportunity to manage a pilot scheme integrating e-detailing into an established field based team. The result was an increase in sales.
IQVIA has been behind my development to become a MSL. The contracts that I have worked on have allowed me to push clinical projects with a recent opportunity to manage a pilot scheme integrating e-detailing into an established field based team. The result was an increase in sales.
Recently Viewed jobs