Are you questioning how to get into medical sales? You’re not the only one. For a long time, this industry has been, and continues to, attract talent like bees to honey. With the flexibility of work, work-life balance, and an impressive salary on offer - it’s no surprise why this is a popular career choice.
The good news is, whether you’re making a career change or coming into medical sales with no experience, there’s an opportunity for everyone.
So, to answer the question, below are three ways you can become a medical sales rep.
Three strategies to successfully break into medical sales
1. Relevant education and training
First and foremost, you need to build your foundation. Having a degree in business, marketing, or biology is handy to help you get your foot in the door. But, if you don’t have one, it’s a good idea to start looking into online training courses. Education doesn’t stop here. If you’re serious about breaking into medical sales, you’ll need to do your research into
The job specs.
The potential employers.
The latest industry news and legislation.
How medical devices work.
Seek out websites such as MedCity News and MedReps for resources and information.
2. Targeted experience
To stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to not only talk the talk - but also need to walk the walk. Now is the time to gain some hands-on field experience. And to make the most of this work experience, you must first decide where your passion lies.
Medical sales offer a vast array of concentrated areas for you to choose from, including:
Medical devices
Medical equipment
Orthopaedics
Ophthalmology
Medical consumables
Once you decide on your area of focus, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and back up your education with some experience in the real world within the area you wish to focus on. Reach out to medical sales reps and see if you can shadow them. As an outsider, this might prove to be tricky but it’s worth a shot to look into volunteering positions or internships with medical sales companies.
3. Network and build relationships
Building long-lasting professional relationships and networking is important in any field. But in medical sales, it’s essential. Why? Because
It will set you apart from other job seekers by showing that you’re eager and comfortable to get out there and connect with people.
It will boost your credibility with reliable character references.
Having industry contacts will drastically improve your chances of getting your foot in the door.
If you’re thinking - I don’t know anyone in the industry, let LinkedIn be your sidekick. Jump onto LinkedIn and start connecting with industry professionals and join specialist groups and conversation pages such as Medical Device Development, Marketing and Sales, Medical Device Guru, and DukeMed for the latest news and insights.
Most importantly – get started today!
If you’ve been considering a career change to medical sales, call us on 0408455477. We’ll work with you to
Coach you to build a powerful personal brand.
Help you with your resume and interview skills.
Equip you with any relevant training courses.
Update your LinkedIn profile.
Start networking.
When you’re ready, we’ll work hard to find you the perfect company and role.