Author:
Joan Hall
Date Of Creation:
5 July 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Today, the demand for qualified pharmaceutical sales representatives is growing. This is really quite an attractive career option, because combines a large social package, the possibility of personal growth and the development of professionalism. On top of that, you can grow rapidly in one organization where you work, or move to another. If you are aspiring to become a pharmaceutical sales representative, you will surely want to know how to best prepare yourself to face the competition.
Steps
1 To become a good specialist in a pharmaceutical trading company, you must have a college degree. You must have completed at least four years of college to become a Qualified Pharmaceutical Representative.It often doesn't matter what degree you get, but you can become more attractive to an employer with a PhD. Some companies may even opt for an MBA certificate since pharmaceutical salespeople began to combine scientific knowledge with business ideas. 
2 Obtain a Certificate of National Pharmaceutical Representative granted by the National Association of Pharmaceutical Representatives. NAFP has developed certified National Pharmaceutical Representative training that includes everything you need to differentiate yourself from all candidates. And while self-study books are sold in stores today, they do not compare to the systematic, ad-hoc and expert approach provided by NAPF. When the candidate has fully considered the course of study, he is assigned an exam. Upon passing the exam, the candidate will be awarded an NFP certificate. 
3 Gain sales experience in other industries first. To be needed as a representative of a pharmaceutical trading company, you must show the acquired sales skills through a compelling presentation, attracting more consumers, strengthening and maintaining strong consumer relationships. Based on experience as a manager, preferably in a B2B company, making deals, or even working as a courier, for example, multiplies your perspective of working diversity. That is, by gaining work experience in academic mandates, you thereby gain a competitive advantage by applying for the vacancy of a representative of a pharmaceutical trading company. 
4 Check the message board for open positions. The easiest way to find a pharmaceutical sales representative job is to search on job sites. You can find open positions in general classifieds as well as in the specialized pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Most of these sites are nationwide, which means it doesn't matter where you live, but if you are about to move in the near future, you can find work specifically in your new place of residence. 
5 Contact pharmaceutical companies for information. You don't have to wait for an open job on the site to get started. You can simply send your resume to pharmaceutical companies with the information you are interested in that relates to your future position. They may not have an open position at the moment, but on the other hand, you will not need to compete with hundreds of other applicants looking for the same job. 
6 Research pharmaceutical companies before your interview. Since this is a huge competitive field, in order to impress your potential employer, you must show them that you have accurate knowledge not only of the pharmaceutical sales industry in general, but also specifically of the methods and approaches of this company. Explore what sets this company apart from hundreds of other successful pharmaceutical companies. Find out what their biggest customers and best-selling products are. 
7 Be prepared to continue your studies even after you get a job. Your employer can assign you additional training before you start working on your own. This may include courses in pharmaceuticals if you haven’t taken them yet, or you may be replaced by another employee until you are ready to work with the client yourself.
