A four-year degree from an accredited university or college is required to become a pharmaceutical sales representative. You can improve your chances by gaining a degree in a related field like Life Science.
Is it hard to become a pharmaceutical sales rep?
It’s also intense, highly competitive and sometimes frustrating. Insiders say it’s difficult to get your foot in the door with a drug company, and that it’s challenging to excel once you’ve landed that first sales job. ... Before you can start selling for your company, you have to sell yourself to potential employers.
How do you become a pharmaceutical rep?
- Earn your high school diploma or GED.
- Get a bachelor’s degree.
- Consider earning a graduate degree.
- Get certified.
- Network.
- Work on your skillset.
- Prepare your resume and cover letter.
Is being a pharmaceutical sales rep worth it?
The job of a pharmaceutical sales representative is a highly desired one. With a high salary, excellent benefits and perks , and the potential for growth, it’s easy to see why. In fact, our 2020 Pharma Sales Salary Report found that, on average, pharmaceutical sales reps earn $151,217 each year.
Do pharmaceutical reps travel a lot?
During the work week, you travel a lot . Some territories are bigger than others, but mine’s about two hours long, so some days I’m two hours away from home in a small town calling on a small clinic or there’s other days when I’m in a bigger city and I call on the doctors there.
How many hours a week do pharmaceutical sales reps work?
The majority works beyond 40 hours per week in a stressful, high-pressure environment where satisfying quotas is paramount. Sales reps also have fast job turnover rates and can struggle to find employment during recessions.
Do drug reps sleep with doctors?
Sales reps at Pfizer are using a CafePharma bulletin board to discuss whether it is common for their colleagues to sleep with the doctors whom they are trying to persuade to write prescriptions. ... Most commenters seem to agree that sex with doctors is going on more inside people’s heads than in reality.
Is pharmaceutical sales a dying industry?
The pharmaceutical sales profession is not ‘dead’ as many had predicted, however, the context in which sales reps are functioning is almost unrecognizable compared with a decade ago.
How stressful is pharmaceutical sales?
Pharmaceutical reps don’t have it easy, as they usually spend their workday jumping over Olympic-size hurdles to get the job done. First challenge: trying to get in to see the doctor. Doctors aren’t known for having lots of free time, and they rarely carve out time just to hear from pharma reps.
How much money do pharmaceutical reps make?
In 2019, the average rep salary was $151,217 , which includes an average base salary of $109,250 and an average bonus of $41,967. That’s a 6% increase, or almost $8,000, over the average salary for pharma sales reps from MedReps’ 2018 survey.
Do you need certification to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?
Certifications might not be required by all employers , but they can help with career advancement and improve your industry and sales knowledge. The National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Reps offers training courses and a certification to become a Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR).
What do female pharmaceutical reps wear?
Their clothes should be fresh, neat, clean and pressed . The reps should be well-groomed, paying attention to hair, face and nails. Do the pharmaceutical reps need to dress in formal business attire such as suit and tie for men and skirted suits or matching pants suits for women?
What is a typical day for a pharmaceutical sales rep?
Day-to-day duties vary based on the company they work for, the territory they are assigned to, and the medications they are representing. However, typical responsibilities include: Scheduling meetings with medical professionals. Educating medical professionals about the effectiveness, use, and side effects of drugs.
How do I get into pharmaceutical sales?
- Earn your high school diploma or GED.
- Get a bachelor’s degree.
- Consider earning a graduate degree.
- Get certified.
- Network.
- Work on your skillset.
- Prepare your resume and cover letter.
What education do you need to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?
Pharmaceutical companies generally only hire sales representatives who hold a four-year bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college . A specific major isn’t required, but many PSRs study life sciences, especially biology and chemistry.
How many pharmaceutical sales reps are there in the US?
Pharmaceutical representatives. Currently, there are approximately 81,000 pharmaceutical sales representatives in the United States pursuing some 830,000 pharmaceutical prescribers.
