There are a wide range of medical sales jobs available to eager graduates looking to pursue a career in the field after university. Graduate jobs can be difficult to find, but there are plenty out there and with the right research and preparation you will have the ability of an exceptional candidate.
However have you thought about which particular medical sales position you are going to specialise in?
Selecting the right area of expertise
Medical sales positions can range from pharmaceuticals to selling medical devices. However when deciding on a specialist field, it is necessary to determine what is most important to you to make you feel comfortable within your job role.
There are a many factors which can influence your final decision. The most important for a medical sales rep are usually the amount of hours; your annual salary and the time spend travelling to clients. If you are seriously considering a graduate medical sales position then you will need to be prepared for occasional long days and a considerable amount of travelling. However there are other options available including part-time and flexible hour positions which allow you to have a better balance of your professional and personal life.
Does it matter what you are a graduate in?
While the medical sales industry is open to people from a wide range of backgrounds, the majority of agencies look favourably on graduates.
Many pharmaceutical companies will ask for those with a completed degree which involved a scientific element. However what most will want to know is if you are the type of person capable of seeing a long term project through to completion. They will want to know if you have the ability to research, interpret and present information with the use of commercial and sales skills.
It is usually not enough to simply graduate for this particular job role. You will also need to show a keen and genuine interest in the medical sales industry. Take the time to thoroughly research the sector, even spending time shadowing a sales representative in your chosen area.
Finally you must show your ability to sell in a competitive environment. Most agencies will want you to have ideally worked within a sales environment at some time, even if it was only temporarily. If you haven't then consider some examples of how you have used you selling skills and adapted them during your time of study.
How to prepare yourself while still in study
At this stage you should still have time to learn all you can about the medical sales industry and the graduate medical sales positions you wish to apply for. Try and gain as much information as you can about:
1. What's happening in the industry?
2. What medical sales jobs entail?
3. What are hiring managers at medical device companies looking for?
It's essential for graduates to understand the importance of researching the companies where you wish to apply. If you are seriously considering a career in medical sales, then you must have a comprehensive understanding of the job.
However have you thought about which particular medical sales position you are going to specialise in?
Selecting the right area of expertise
Medical sales positions can range from pharmaceuticals to selling medical devices. However when deciding on a specialist field, it is necessary to determine what is most important to you to make you feel comfortable within your job role.
There are a many factors which can influence your final decision. The most important for a medical sales rep are usually the amount of hours; your annual salary and the time spend travelling to clients. If you are seriously considering a graduate medical sales position then you will need to be prepared for occasional long days and a considerable amount of travelling. However there are other options available including part-time and flexible hour positions which allow you to have a better balance of your professional and personal life.
Does it matter what you are a graduate in?
While the medical sales industry is open to people from a wide range of backgrounds, the majority of agencies look favourably on graduates.
Many pharmaceutical companies will ask for those with a completed degree which involved a scientific element. However what most will want to know is if you are the type of person capable of seeing a long term project through to completion. They will want to know if you have the ability to research, interpret and present information with the use of commercial and sales skills.
It is usually not enough to simply graduate for this particular job role. You will also need to show a keen and genuine interest in the medical sales industry. Take the time to thoroughly research the sector, even spending time shadowing a sales representative in your chosen area.
Finally you must show your ability to sell in a competitive environment. Most agencies will want you to have ideally worked within a sales environment at some time, even if it was only temporarily. If you haven't then consider some examples of how you have used you selling skills and adapted them during your time of study.
How to prepare yourself while still in study
At this stage you should still have time to learn all you can about the medical sales industry and the graduate medical sales positions you wish to apply for. Try and gain as much information as you can about:
1. What's happening in the industry?
2. What medical sales jobs entail?
3. What are hiring managers at medical device companies looking for?
It's essential for graduates to understand the importance of researching the companies where you wish to apply. If you are seriously considering a career in medical sales, then you must have a comprehensive understanding of the job.
About the Author:
The Advance Recruitment graduate service can help you find those rare graduate roles.