Hello from Washington State. A Greenie

I have been interested in starting a career in sales, specifically in the pharmaceutical sales field. For the last few years I have been working in client relations and customer service, but would like to get more into the person to person aspect of sales, instead of just talking with people on the phone. I have done everything phone wise from telemarketing to surveys, to escalation type calls. I have a Bachelors Degree in Social Science from Washington State with a focus on criminal justice. I could have done law enforcement I guess, but the idea of working with people who may be trying to shoot at me didn't sound like my cup of tea.

I have been interested in human relations, and had started taking a Masters Degree in Communications and Leadership. It was too much theory though, covering semantics, etc. I want practical experience.

I am especially interested in joining the Pharmaceutical Sales Field because my current job is in the medical device/pharmaceutical studies industry. I already talk with Doctors and their staff everyday, I want to be where the action is.

I am eager to learn sales, but how do I get the experience if I don't have the experience to get the job to sell?

What programs and sites (besides this one) and books would you recommend. I have been listening to 'The Secrets of the Great Rainmakers' and have some other sales CDs I have listened to, but I don't think it will beat actual experience.

Originally Posted by Boxurian I have been interested in starting a career in sales, specifically in the pharmaceutical sales field. For the last few years I have been working in client relations and customer service, but would like to get more into the person to person aspect of sales, instead of just talking with people on the phone. I have done everything phone wise from telemarketing to surveys, to escalation type calls. I have a Bachelors Degree in Social Science from Washington State with a focus on criminal justice. I could have done law enforcement I guess, but the idea of working with people who may be trying to shoot at me didn't sound like my cup of tea. I have been interested in human relations, and had started taking a Masters Degree in Communications and Leadership. It was too much theory though, covering semantics, etc. I want practical experience. I am especially interested in joining the Pharmaceutical Sales Field because my current job is in the medical device/pharmaceutical studies industry. I already talk with Doctors and their staff everyday, I want to be where the action is. I am eager to learn sales, but how do I get the experience if I don't have the experience to get the job to sell? What programs and sites (besides this one) and books would you recommend. I have been listening to 'The Secrets of the Great Rainmakers' and have some other sales CDs I have listened to, but I don't think it will beat actual experience.

Welcome, Boxurian.

There are lots of posts here with recommendations of books, etc.

But it sounds like you know what kind of job you want to end up in. Now you just need to figure out how to end up there, working backwards from your goal (As Stephen Covey says, "begin with the end in mind").

What positions would allow you to end up where you want to be? Have you discussed your goals with your current manager? (I don't know if that's applicable in your situation, but it's something to consider). Do you need extra training? If so, what training?

The great thing about sales is that if you can sell, you can always get a job. But I find that for people starting out, it's important to focus your efforts so you end up where you want to be so you don't get pigeonholed in an industry or type of selling that doesn't appeal to you. Career planning is key if you really know where you want to end up, in my opinion.

I hope that helps. The best to you!

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Welcome to the community Boxurian.

How much experience does the position require? Are there standard requirements that need to be met?

Greetings and Welcome!

Welcome aboard Boxurian.

Originally Posted by Mikey Welcome to the community Boxurian. How much experience does the position require? Are there standard requirements that need to be met?

Usually they want a year or two of sales experience. I have 15 of customer service, some telemarketing, some door to door. Also some pharmaceutical information. I work in that field right now at the beginning of when drug studies are being implemented in human research subjects. If you ever hear advertisements asking for volunteers to participate in a research study, it has to be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board first. That's what my company does. I have helped people with consent forms for subjects, writing up protocols, regulatory information to avoid trouble with the FDA and DHHS. I know that I will have to go through some intense human biology training to relate with the Drs. For my work I have read some medical stuff, so that when a Dr. starts waxing poetic about how their research will cure cancer, I can follow what they are saying for the most part. Sometimes it gets pretty complicated.

So I am in the right industry, Pharmaceuticals, health, and medical devices in the 'regulatory' end of it. I am not worried about the medical terminology, the biology, and the anatomy. Most companies have crash courses on this, and I will have tests to take, but I enjoy studying this information for fun. I actually wanted to go into medicine when I was first in college, but couldn't handle the cadaver lab. I guess I have a weak stomach that way.

Maybe I should join a 'Direct Sales' company like Amway (easy entry) to get some more experience selling?