Interested in working in the lucrative field of pharmaceutical sales as a pharmaceutical sales representative? Jobs in pharmaceutical sales can be found at major pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co, and Roche. These companies, as well as dozens more like them, are looking for outstanding sales representatives who will successfully bring their profits to the next level and improve their relationships with buyers of pharmaceutical products.
Put simply, it is the job of the pharmaceutical sales representative to sell pharmaceutical products such as the latest new drugs. Pharmaceutical sales reps are vital to the health of many, as it is their sole responsibility to bring innovative, disease-fighting drugs to patients who truly need them. Top-selling pharmaceutical products these days include drugs such as the cholesterol-fighting phenomenon Lipitor and the depression and anxiety buster Zoloft. There are literally hundreds of drugs on the market for various ailments and conditions that range anywhere from chronic pain to attention deficit disorder to narcolepsy. Pharmaceutical sales representatives travel widely to meet with hospital representatives, doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals who can benefit from their products. As they meet with clients and potential clients, pharmaceutical sales reps then have the important and challenging job of explaining the features of each product down to the scientific nitty-gritty, and must also be able to distinguish their products from those of competitors by pointing out the advanced and superior features of their products.
What experience will best benefit me as I search among jobs in pharmaceutical sales?
Pharmaceutical sales representatives need to be able to rattle off in-depth, detailed information about their products on demand. Accordingly, the best candidates for jobs in pharmaceutical sales have educational or professional backgrounds in hard sciences such as chemistry, biology, and medicine. But having scientific knowledge isn’t enough to impress a prospective employer or guarantee success in your position. To be a great pharmaceutical sales rep, you must be able to sell! Successful pharmaceutical sales reps need the endurance to stay fresh and on their toes from morning to evening as they pursue every possible lead while they continually network and strive to build and maintain relationships with buyers. Additionally, jobs in pharmaceutical sales require strong commitment, as reps must always find time in their schedules to learn and memorize new information about their products while continually honing their sales techniques.
What makes a pharmaceutical sales job great?
There are many perks that come along with having a pharmaceutical sales job, both emotional and material. Yes, it’s true that pharmaceutical sales reps can make great commissions in the multiple thousands of dollars range and that they often get to drive nice company cars, but they also get the satisfaction of knowing that the sale and distribution of their products is truly helping people and, in some cases, saving lives.
