The job of a salesperson in the pharmaceutical sector (pharmaceutical sales rep or commonly called “med rep” in everyday Indonesian) is to educate doctors and other medical personnel about the latest developments in the pharmaceutical industry and demonstrate the most effective methods of handling and treatment. up-to-date. Do you want to practice your sales talent in a professional work environment? Are you interested in the latest science and technology developments? Become a sales force in the pharmaceutical field and work as an ambassador for the pharmaceutical industry, bringing vital knowledge and treatment to healthcare facilities and consumers in need.
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Part 1 of 3: Entering the Pharmaceutical Industry
Step 1. Take a bachelor's degree
The requirement to become a salesperson in the pharmaceutical field is to graduate with a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. It's even better if you graduate with a diploma in a related field, such as science.
- A diploma in science not only equips you with an understanding of the latest medical breakthroughs, but also helps you communicate with other medical professionals.
- A lecture or course in business is also a useful way to improve your sales skills.
- In general, most pharmaceutical companies will consider a bachelor's degree in any field, as a bachelor's degree demonstrates your ability to master new information and your discipline to keep going.
Step 2. Get a license/certification
You can obtain official certification as a sales force volunteer in the pharmaceutical field from your local authority (for example in the US, the “Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative” or CNPR® certification from the “National Association of Pharmaceutical Representatives”). This type of certificate shows that you have the knowledge required by pharmaceutical companies regarding the products available and have studied the terms and conditions of product sales. In addition, the education to get this certification also helps you hone your sales techniques.
In the US, all graduates of the CNPR® certification program have access to a job search facility called the “NAPRx® Career Center”, a special government-owned website where pharmaceutical companies are looking for employees to fill available positions
Step 3. Establish a relationship with the university
While still in college, start networking and participate in the industry by taking advantage of the various resources available on your campus.
- Attend job fairs. Several large pharmaceutical companies recruit workers directly from college campuses. Dress professionally and prepare for an on-site interview. Do whatever it takes to register yourself as soon as possible, because the list of workers at events like this usually fills up quickly.
- Take advantage of job vacancies. This valuable resource will connect you to useful information on the job market and career advisers who can provide assistance with creating a CV or pursuing your career prospects.
Step 4. Gain work experience as a salesperson
As a salesperson in the pharmaceutical field, your career revolves around sales. You need to feel comfortable and professional when speaking in front of a person or group of people when conveying product information in order to make a sale. Having previous experience as a salesperson is a huge advantage to include on your CV.
Companies are looking for salespeople who are good at persuasion and have excellent communication skills. The more you practice in the sales world, the better prepared you will be for an interview
Step 5. Build a network
Stay in touch with the experts at your college. Let them know you know your career goals. Entering a job as a salesperson in the pharmaceutical sector is challenging, as many companies only open job vacancies if the available positions are not successfully filled by individual recommendations.
- Talk to doctors and other medical personnel and ask them the names of the salespeople who usually serve them. If you have the opportunity, speak directly to salespeople and area managers. A good reference from a salesperson is much more useful than your CV.
- Look for recruiters who also work in the pharmaceutical sector.
- Look for job fairs in the pharmaceutical field, so you can make connections within the industry.
Step 6. Keep up to date with any information you have about the industry
Read published annual reports, news and capital market reports. Find anything you need about competing products and companies. Some good resources for adding information are:
- “CafePharma”
- “CuttingEdgeInfo.com”
- "BioSpace"
- “FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research”
- “Lexi Comp New Information and Products”
Part 2 of 3: Getting a Job in Pharmacy
Step 1. Make a good CV
Pharmaceutical companies receive hundreds of CV submissions every day, so your CV must stand out from the rest. Your CV should be targeted directly at the company you are targeting. This means you will need to make various adjustments to your CV for each targeted company.
- You should write down your achievements on your CV. Remember, this is a job as a salesperson. The point is that you have to "sell" yourself to every company you go to.
- Professional CV writers provide services to help you strengthen the content of the CV that you write / compose. If you experience problems, you can use their services for a fee.
Step 2. Create a “Brag Book” (a book specifically designed to highlight your accomplishments and abilities)
“Brag Book” is essentially a portfolio for salespeople in the pharmaceutical field. Make copies of everything you want included and scan the originals to your computer. Use the scanned copies to create one complete “Brag Book” file. You do not need to send this “Brag Book” on every job application. When you've managed to get the attention of the hiring manager at the company you're working for, let the manager know that you have a digital copy of the “Brag Book” if needed. Print out the copy and make it into a professional looking shape. Your “Brag Book” must contain relevant documents and letters demonstrating your professional achievements, including:
- table of contents,
- CV,
- performance ranking report from the company,
- performance appraisal results,
- college transcripts,
- letter of recommendation,
- positive e-mails,
- marketing materials
- other education certificates,
- photos of trophies, plaques, certificates of appreciation.
Step 3. Address your CV to the right person
You can apply through the company's website, but the best way is to contact connections in your network and take advantage of the names of experts in the industry, so that you can send your CV directly to the relevant and authorized parties.
Step 4. Use your “Brag Book” during the interview
Take a printed “Brag Book” with you, knowing that the hiring manager may take it as his file. Focus on getting the manager's attention during the interview in your “Brag Book” by pointing out a specific topic in the book. Make sure that you are familiar with the entire contents of the book.
- Highlight your “Brag Book” and make it a supporting factor for each of your answers. For example, the interviewer may ask about sales targets, then you can show the ranking report or performance appraisal results in your “Brag Book”.
- The way you use the “Brag Book” during an interview will make you stand out from the competition as well as demonstrate your sales skills to the hiring manager.
Step 5. Master your interview process
Use your knowledge and understanding of the industry to form the basis for your verbal response. Some questions will test your knowledge of the job, while others will relate to sales and products.
Show your enthusiasm for the job. Share your personal story related to the pharmaceutical field to make a strong impression
Step 6. Ask questions about the job
Demonstrate your sales skills by asking questions about the job at the end of the interview. At the end of the interview, ask questions such as, “Are there certain qualifications in me that you might consider negatively for the next stage in this process?”
- Ask when you think you'll hear back, if the interviewer hasn't told you yet.
- Send a special thank you to each hiring manager who agreed to meet with you. If they can't recruit you, they may know someone else in the same industry who can hire you. Maintain a professional relationship with everyone you meet, as this is key.
Part 3 of 3: Working as a Sales Person in Pharmacy
Step 1. Understand the wages and benefits you will receive
- Salespeople working in established pharmaceutical companies will receive a package of additional benefits in addition to wages, which often include company cars, business travel, official expense accounts, company stock, various bonuses, health and life insurance, and reimbursement of training or education costs. and retirement plans.
- Ensure these things by asking your company about the benefit options available to you.
Step 2. Be on top of your training
Most pharmaceutical companies provide on-the-job training for new salespeople. Some companies even provide tuition reimbursement for ongoing courses in pharmacy science or in other related fields.
As a salesperson in the pharmaceutical field, you will be expected to continue to pursue relevant education throughout your career
Step 3. Know your responsibilities
Most salespeople in the pharmaceutical sector work on a commission basis according to the applicable division of labor. You will be responsible for scheduling and attending sales meetings with medical professionals and healthcare professionals, keeping up with developments, and finding new customers for your company. You will also be responsible for attending conferences in the pharmaceutical industry, speaking at events organized by the pharmaceutical company you work for, and continuing your education as a medical-related workforce.
- Apart from performing sales duties, you will also need to do field research on behalf of your company. This includes surveying patterns of prescribing, dispensing, and dispensing of drugs, and monitoring reactions to new treatment methods.
- This work takes place in a fast-paced environment full of the latest technology. Strive to excel in every knowledge challenge and confidently and passionately convey information about the latest treatment to customers. This gives you the opportunity to share with the community about the latest treatments and methods of treating disease, including some that are useful for saving the lives of people with the disease.
- You will be responsible for setting your own schedule and working independently. Because it works on a commission basis, you can take advantage of evenings and weekends to build relationships with those in your contacts and network, for the sake of prospects for future sales.
Step 4. Be ahead in the industry
With time and experience, you will have the opportunity to move up to administrative positions, so you will have a role in overseeing the work of new salespeople. Work hard, achieve your goals, and continue your education to climb the ladder in the pharmaceutical industry.
Tips
- The pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia is mostly centered in big cities such as Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya. Therefore, candidates living in these cities have a distinct advantage when there are job openings in this field.
- Those with strong educational backgrounds in the health sciences, business and statistics also usually attract the attention of recruiters.
