Table of contents:
Introduction to Medical Sales Jobs in New York
Understanding the Medical Sales Landscape
Top Companies Offering Medical Sales Jobs in New York
Job Roles and Responsibilities in Medical Sales
Skills and Qualifications Required for a Medical sales role
- Medical and Technical Knowledge
- Sales and Communication Skills
- Relationship Building and Networking
- Certifications and Educational Background
Salary Expectations and Benefits
- Average Salary for Medical Sales Representatives in New York
- Commission and Bonus Structures
- Benefits and Perks Offered by Employers
Opportunities for Growth and Advancement in Medical Sales
Networking and Professional Development
- Importance of Building a Strong Professional Network
- Industry Conferences and Events in New York
- Relevant Certifications
How to Get Started in Medical Sales
- Breaking into the Industry with No Experience
- Internship and Entry-Level Opportunities
- Leveraging Online Job Platforms and Recruitment Agencies
Introduction to Medical Sales Jobs in New York
If you are considering becoming a medical sales representative, here are a few things you will want to know about the industry.
Here are a few essential things to know before you make the switch to medical sales. Don’t be intimidated, we have provided a comprehensive guide to medical sales, with information on every facet of the industry broken down into courses.
The work of a medical sales rep is characterized by much variety and, in essence, is based on establishing and utilizing contacts.
As a medical sales representative, you would reach out to customers with sales pitches via emails, phone calls, personal consultations, product demonstrations, meetings, and large-scale presentations.
In most cases, time is occupied by training, demos, giving feedback, and answering questions. If that’s something that you would be interested in, then the job position of a medical sales representative will certainly be one that you might enjoy and do well in.
Overview of the Medical Sales Industry in New York
The New York medical sales industry is one of the most vibrant and growing sectors, offering considerable opportunities for professionals interested in pursuing medical sales roles in New York.
Having one of the biggest healthcare markets in the United States, New York operates as a hub for the top medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech firms. These companies rely on professional sales staff to distribute their products and solutions to hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other healthcare providers.
Growth drivers in the New York medical sales job market mainly relate to the populous and diverse population, comprising New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, among other highly renowned medical institutions.
As such, there is the need for the newest medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and health care technologies, thus creating a competitive marketplace where the representatives of these products form key players in providing innovative solutions to the healthcare sector.
In addition, the international business hub of New York provides access to major influencers and a vibrant environment that encourages massive uptake of new medical technologies. Medical sales professionals operating in New York often enjoy higher salaries and commissions due to the early adoption of new technologies and the larger volume of the medical business. As such, medical sales jobs in New York are always in demand as healthcare technology and biotechnology continue advancing.
Why New York is a Hub for Medical Sales Jobs
New York City is always one of the first places that leaps in people’s minds while searching for medical sales jobs. Really, can you blame them?
The reputation of New York City can be paralleled only by a hub of locations extensively replete with the nation’s top-level industry professionals across the board. The sheer number of hospitals present in the area, not to mention the medical sales companies that call NYC home, provide vast opportunities for those willing to endure the region’s high cost of living.
Understanding the Medical Sales Landscape
The medical sales landscape represents an ever-changing fast-paced sector integrated into the overall dynamics of the healthcare industry. It is a bridging point for healthcare providers and those who manufacture products, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and equipment. Products are sold to hospitals, clinics, care facilities, and doctors, with the ultimate goal of improving patient lives.
Medical sales is a very challenging field that demands top-notch knowledge of specific disease states and their related products, as well as a mastery of the complex regulatory environment surrounding the utilization of products. Interpersonal skills are also a requirement. The industry’s modern technology with varied and progressing medical advances and new healthcare policies drives a fast-paced and highly competitive environment. Effective representatives keep updated on industry trends, compliance standards, and competitors’ offerings.
However, the demand for skilled professionals is on the rise as healthcare providers always seek efficient solutions to offer their patients. Any potential entry into this very rewarding, but, at times challenging, line of business must understand the field of medical sales, which requires a perfect blend of technical know-how, salesmanship, and an absolute dedication to patient outcome improvement.
Key Sectors in Medical Sales (Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, etc.)
There are various types of different medical sales careers to choose from. Significant sectors with medical sales representatives include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical equipment, and dental.
Let’s look at what they’re all about:
Pharmaceutical Sales
A pharmaceutical sales representative sells and markets prescription drugs and other pharmaceutical products to a healthcare provider. To be a pharmaceutical sales representative, you must be an expert in your products, and up to date with related current scientific research in general, being conscious at the same time of the products you are selling and how they fit into the current standards of care.
While striving to achieve and exceed sales quotas, sales representatives must adhere to, and balance the ethical standards of product representation to ensure patient safety, with their efforts to reach target goals. Integrity is of utmost importance, and highly enforced.
Medical Device Sales
Medical device sales reps play a unique role in the industry as they work closely with physicians to sell and implant critical medical devices, often to restore correct bodily functioning and save patients’ lives. These devices include cardiac implants, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, as well as orthopedic implants, such as prostheses and joint replacements.
As is the case with pharma sales representatives, medical device representatives must be soundly knowledge-driven on all products that they sell to their customers. The resultant deep knowledge of the product they are selling, for the representative, will enable them to sell credibly and thus warrant respect from their customers, who will regard them as an authority on the medical device they sell. These roles often require extensive insight into the procedures to implant and deploy them, requiring the ability to think quickly and calmly in stressful situations where patient safety is at risk.
Medical Equipment Sales
Sales representatives of medical equipment are involved in selling healthcare devices and disposables to healthcare and medical service providers, such as hospitals, laboratories, rehabilitation centers, and many others.
Educating healthcare professionals about how to use and operate equipment through product demonstrations and tutorials is essential in this role. Patience and dedication are key here. They may have demonstrated this product to hundreds of different customers, but for the healthcare professional, it could be the first time that they are laying eyes on the product.
These presentations must be comprehensive and informative to your varied audience, thus providing them with the critical information they need to use the products provided effectively. At the same time, they must also be engaging and easily understood, so that providers are successful with your products, thus creating a positive experience and pathway for future new product sales.
Dental Equipment Sales
A dental equipment sales representative specializes in selling supplies, instruments, and equipment to dental practices. These include X-ray machines, dental chairs, dental handpieces, and much more.
An essential part of a dental sales rep’s role must be built around maintaining strong relationships with customers, as dental practitioners typically stay within the same dental offices for their entire careers.
The formation of these contacts can allow account reps to maintain the lifeblood of a sales pipeline and maintain their revenue streams, thus freeing up the time to prospect and monitor for newly established practices in their territory.
Top Companies Offering Medical Sales Jobs in New York
New York City, among other cities, boasts an excess of high-quality companies offering medical sales jobs, making New York a go-to destination for medical sales professionals.
The big players operating in this city include, but are not limited to, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Medtronic, and Stryker. Many other companies offer roles in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare solutions regularly. These companies consistently innovate in medical technology and acclimate to the dynamic nature of the healthcare environment.
In addition, they provide extensive training opportunities to keep employees up to date in product knowledge and expertise.
Smaller companies, such as Zimmer Biomet and Becton Dickinson, also offer a wide scope of opportunities and form part of the competitive and expensive landscape of medical sales in New York. This is why the New York medical sales jobs are on a continued rise because of the ever-increasing demand for advanced healthcare products and technologies among many who seek a challenge as well as an opportunity.
Leading Medical Device Companies
The medical device industry thrives on innovation and rapid advancement in technology; several of such companies top the rankings worldwide. Among them is Medtronic, leading medical technology with solutions in cardiovascular, neurological, and diabetes care innovations in minimally invasive surgery and robotic technology.
Stryker is another big company dealing with medical equipment with a focus on orthopedics and surgical equipment. It is recognized for high-quality, dependable products among professionals in the healthcare field around the world.
Zimmer Biomet is a company that, as a specialist in musculoskeletal healthcare, brings forward its orthopedic reconstructive products in mission to improve patients’ mobility and quality of their lives.
Boston Scientific is famous for its cardiovascular and endoscopy products, but it is also a healthcare solution leader, delivering devices to solve some of the most challenging medical conditions.
Put together, these companies advance medicine further by continually looking for new means to improve the health and outcome of patient care through better products. Their innovations make them a natural fit for professionals who wish to make a career in medical sales.
Pharmaceutical Firms
There are countless companies to consider, and many of these companies have a multitude of job openings, allowing you to select an employer with available positions within your field of interest, career goals, and aspirations.
Pfizer
Founded as far back as 1849, Pfizer is one of the world’s most respected pharmaceutical companies. Applying some of the best resources and science available today, it provides several treatments for a variety of common health issues such as high blood pressure, arthritis, depression, and several others.
It aims to forward the development of international wellness and prevention through ethical and safe cures.
Kadmon Pharmaceuticals
Kadmon Pharmaceuticals is an organization that works at the clinical stage of medicine, developing therapies for unsolved medical conditions.
Its primary objective is to treat fibrotic and immune diseases. It also develops immuno-oncology based therapy processes.
Ovid Therapeutics
Founded in 2014, Ovid Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development of impactful medicines for patients and families.
The company primarily focuses on developing cures for their patients through rare neurological conditions and diseases that have little treatment options for them.
Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb started in the year 1858, is one of the most esteemed business companies all around the globe, whose innovations create medicines to prevent many diseases, including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, hematology, and cardiology.
Novo Nordisk Inc.
Founded in 1923, Novo Nordisk Inc. is a multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company that focuses its research innovation in creating medicines for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, growth disorders, and blood disorders such as hemophilia.
Many of these companies routinely offer a multitude of employee benefits, including medical and dental insurance, car allowance, paid holidays, and pet insurance.
Job Roles and Responsibilities in Medical Sales
No doubt, life science innovations and pharmaceutical markets grow abundantly in every country.
By 2024 the pharmaceutical industry alone reached a high of US$1.6 trillion, which is expected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2028. This rapid growth provides continuous and increasing opportunities to people who work in the pharmaceutical sector, especially those focused on medical sales.
In this dynamic pharma world, the medical sales role has never been so pivotal, with as many opportunities available for career-oriented professionals. So what are these types of jobs within medical sales, and how do you go about securing them?
Sales Representative
A medical sales representative specializing in medical device sales typically has a medical and/or technical background, which would provide for a firm knowledge of the latest technologies and tools being introduced into the healthcare landscape.
This role will demand presentations, demonstrations, and good sales in addition to the obvious technological expertise. Medical device representatives work with healthcare decision-makers and therefore have a deep understanding not only of their products but also of how medical device technology is applied during procedures on patients.
Account Manager
The role of the marketing account manager is part and parcel of the sales team in any industry, and that holds true for medical sales as well.
Account managers boost sales through their collaborative effort with customers; thus they must excel at networking skills and be influencers to key decision-makers. They act as the team’s liaison as an account management specialist and maintain a high level of knowledge oriented to the present healthcare setting and developing business plans across accounts.
This is highly in-demand job and many sales medical representatives look to become one as well.2
Territory Manager
Many jobs in medical sales demand skills that cannot be learned within a typical classroom setting. One such position is territory manager. These employees are on the management hierarchy, typically above the salespeople who make up their team and below the regional and national sales managers. To be one of the highly qualified territory managers, you should possess the right set of skills.
Advancement up the ranks into territory management in medical sales requires a demonstrated sales ability through vast skill sets across several cross-functional units within the company to be successful. These may include research, finance, legal, marketing and management.
Volunteering services as a leader is easy enough for virtually anyone, but it takes much more to really become a good leader. The more you can fine-tune and master as many skills as possible, the more likely you are to succeed as a territory manager.
Sales Executive
Medical sales representatives sell products of their company, including prescription drugs and medical equipment to varied customer bases, such as general practitioners, hospital doctors, pharmacists, and nurses.
Other than performing strategically to expand awareness and usage of your company’s products, they also make presentations, facilitate group events for health workers, or engage at one-to-one levels with their contacts.
Normally, sales executives are assigned a territory, and they might be focused only on one kind of product or on only one kind of medical specialty. Sales representative are expected to achieve predetermined sales targets, and to respond to any inquiries while giving professional education on the products being sold.
Project Sales Manager
A project sales manager is a sought after career advancement options for a medical sales representative. These professionals work at larger regional sales levels, manage market research, target setting, and sales planning goals.
A project sales manager coaches and motivates his or her subordinates, keeping track of their success and making sure that they reach all set targets.
There also is the opportunity to take operational responsibility over key clients, so it is important to maintain the selling skills developed as a medical sales representative, plus add relationship building and management ability to develop further in this role.
Skills and Qualifications Required in a Medical sales role
If you are looking for an honorable career in a health care setting, you can opt for the medical representative profession.
A person using his or her knowledge of health care and selling skills promotes pharmaceutical supplies and sells them to a wide range of medical institutions. Even though you will not be in direct contact with the patients, you will be networking with doctors, letting them know what kind of medical supplies are available at the moment.
Hereafter, detailed skills and qualifications to qualify as a medical sales representative are described below:
Medical and Technical Knowledge
The job of the medical salesperson requires extensive product knowledge to facilitate positive patient outcomes.
A medical rep must be aware of effects of pharmaceuticals, indications, adverse drug reactions, drug interaction, and any special precautions surrounding the use of pharmaceuticals. Very often doctors also have questions about new medicines and the medical rep is their source for answers.
In case when He/She does not have enough knowledge regarding doctors’ query, a medical rep should consult the PMT (Product Management Team) or Medical department to solve the physician’s inquiry.
Sales and Communication Skills
In the Pharmaceutical industry, the medical rep is a means by which the company communicates to the doctors regarding the company’s products.
He/She should possess good communication skills to express possible advantages as well as superiority of company brands in comparison with competitors’ brands. Relationship building leads to strong customer confidence, and is essential in this industry.
Relationship Building and Networking
It can never be said enough how important a good network is in medical sales. In fact, one research study found that sales representatives who outperformed their quotas by more than 25% felt that trust between the buyer and seller is the single most important factor in closing a sale. Of course selling yourself to someone at events sounds intimidating, but networking is absolutely the key to career advancement for a medical sales representative.
Despite some of its potential undesirable connotations, networking is really about long-term contacts and the good feeling and reputation that comes out of a relationship over time. In the healthcare industry, networking is the foundation to successful sales reps.
Certifications and Educational Background
Most representatives in the medical field have a bachelor’s degree in biology, pharmacy, nursing, life sciences, and other similar fields. Also, candidates with a Biomedical Engineering degree and MBA in healthcare are eligible for joining this sector. Your master’s degree in business or life sciences can also increase your knowledge and make you an ideal candidate for such jobs. This is the area where you will influence and determine which area is specialized by the bachelor’s degree you complete.
The next step is to explore your professional and personal interest and choose your focus of interest. You can opt for several points, such as medical equipment, medical device, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical. Considering the environment where these products are used is important for long term success.
Exploring specialization-based medical sales representative certification courses are a great way to increase your prospects. There are numerous government and nongovernment institutes which offer such certification courses. Though there is no compulsion of acquiring such certifications, completing such courses can facilitate the chance of being offered an opportunity.
Salary Expectations and Benefits
Average Salary for Medical Sales Representatives in New York
The average medical pharmaceutical sales representative gross salary in New York, United States is $134,789 or an equivalent hourly rate of $65. This figure is 16% more (+$18,342) than the average medical pharmaceutical sales representative salary in the United States.
In addition, they earn an average bonus of $33,711. Salaries based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in New York, United States. Average salary, with experience (1-3 years) is $75,144, whereas a senior level medical pharmaceutical sales representative 8 years or more earns $171,816.
Commission and Bonus Structures
Sales compensation is the backbone of medical device sales: commissions and other incentive-based pay constitutes up to around 40% or more of a sales rep’s annual income. Most medical sales jobs offer sales reps a base salary, while the rest of their income is achieved through sales compensation such as commissions and bonuses as seen below.
Commission
Commissions for sales representatives tend to be awarded as a percent of total revenue made by a sales representative. Thus, on average, a sales representative in the medical device company will anticipate taking between 15-25% of total revenue made. Like any industry, the commission rate differs depending on what product is sold, as well as the tenure and quota attainment of a representative.
Bonus
Bonuses can be considered as secondary incentives for sales performance. Bonuses may be rewarded to sales reps who meet or surpass key performance objectives. Bonus incentives could be anchored to the individual target, workgroup performance, or the overall company objectives. Thus, high-performing sales representatives have a number of chances to earn extra income by surpassing or meeting the sales targets set by the company.
Benefits and Perks Offered by Employers
In the competitive environment of medical sales, companies go to great lengths to attract and retain the best and brightest. Usually these include a basic salary with the possibility of high commissions and bonuses that are performance related, and, thus, quite lucrative. Additionally, companies typically offer excellent medical and dental insurance, retirement plans, and stock options.
Almost all companies support the work-life aspect through flexible schedules, paid leaves, and work-from-home arrangements. Many include provisions for a company car, fuel allowance, and travel expenses due to the needed travel associated with the position. Professional development opportunities are also attractive, as many employers fund training, certifications, and attendance in industry conferences, in addition to their extensive product training.
Finally, many employers provide wellness programs, employee discounts, and team-building activities to ensure a very positive workplace. These benefits and perks make medical sales a very attractive career path for many professionals.
Opportunities for Growth and Advancement in Medical Sales
Medical device sales careers are in high demand. Additionally, careers in the field are very rewarding, but can take years to grow within that career depending on if you have a well-defined path forward.
Regardless of the many years you may have spent as a medical sales rep, there is always the potential for upward movement. To advance your medical sales career, there are several paths you can follow.
Career Path in Medical Sales
There are medical sales careers built on relationships, so networking could really help you grow your medical sales career. Some good friendships can be made while you’re building that strong relationship with your customer base of doctors, hospitals, and healthcare companies in order to achieve your next elevated role.
And, like every sales position, having a documented, proven track record can be the make or break asset in reaching a management spot in medical sales or another career that leverages your proven sales acumen. You will also need to demonstrate, through your resume and via any interview process, that you are competitive and up for the next career challenge.
Leadership and Management Roles
Leadership and management roles in medical sales form a significant influence in driving organizational success and ensuring operations run as smoothly as possible. Sales directors and regional managers are part of the medical sales leadership, which influences the overall sales team. They plan, execute, and develop sales plans and guide teams, along with forming relationships inside and outside the workplace.
Thus, an effective leader in medical sales must achieve the right balance between sales performance and healthcare compliance. Besides training and development, activities carried out within sales teams ought to be knowledgeable of the offered products, and be able to gain good contact with medical professionals. Good communication and motivational skills help one motivate a team toward the achievement of, or ideally above their sales targets.
Other essential roles of leadership involve cross-functional departments, including marketing and product development, toward developing an integrated approach to market penetration. Market trends and customer needs are analyzed to develop strategies that evolve toward staying ahead of the market in a fast-changing industry. Successful medical sales leadership is essentially fundamental towards long-term growth and profitability.
Networking and Professional Development
Being a medical sales representative is quite an exciting and rewarding career. The very important role sales reps play to offer patients the effective treatments that have the possibility of prolonging lives, while improving the quality of life of the patient who suffers with chronic illness, is only one of the key aspects. It is indeed much greater than that.
More than two million medical devices and treatments are being put on the shelf today. This is opening up a career in medical sales with very attractive income prospects. Even though the days are demanding, taking out the time and care to build a strong network can carve out lucrative opportunities.
Networking stands on the principle of trust. However, over the last few years, the credibility of healthcare manufacturers has suffered greatly. Dubious practices in the industry have led to growing mistrust among the medical professionals. Notorious malpractice events in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries have created a chasm between the manufacturers and the healthcare providers. The industry is slowly and steadily rebuilding this trust.
Importance of Building a Strong Professional Network
Building positive relationships and confidence among medical professionals are qualities of utmost importance that every medical sales representative needs to be equipped with. Increasing your network will not only help you grow your loyal client base, but also grow and advance in your career.
Connecting with colleagues and generating trust among one another is favored when using social networking sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. They can further contribute to building trust among sales representatives by posting credible content and announcing the latest trends in medical sales. Just as with in person meetings, great care must be taken to represent any social media content within the framework of approved legal language of a pharmaceutical product or device.
The more aware and talented the contributors of quality content are, the higher your chances of building a network of healthcare professionals. When you engage actively with prospects in chats and calls, you will gain their trust.
In social media, channels serve as mighty tools for connection making, but online platforms don’t necessarily afford you the capacity to make meaningful relationships – at least not in the same way that meeting someone in person does.
Any medical sales reps looking to build a network would do well to attend live events. The medical community is very active in terms of putting together presentations, groups, and fundraisers.
Conferences provide several opportunities of meeting in person, often without the time constraints of daily practice. Meeting with several providers together facilitates sharing of knowledge and experience, and allows for insight into your market audience’s pain point and creates an emotional connection.
Sharing knowledge, listening to the needs of providers, and demonstrating that your care enables one to connect with their clients at a personal level. Creating lasting relationships breeds trust and unlocks the door to a successful career.
Industry Conferences and Events in New York
Conferences and events remain an essential part of what medical sales people engage in as part of their networking, get updates on the latest trends in the industry, and gain information on new products.
In New England, some of the important events on any sales professional’s radar are the Medical Device Sales Conference and Biotech Week Boston. Some of these events provide insight into emerging technologies, sales strategies, and regulatory changes.
For the medical sales professional attending the American Medical Sales Association, there are workshops, keynote speakers, and connection opportunities with key industry leaders to maintain competitiveness and keep informed of relevant scientific data.
Relevant Certifications
A pharmaceutical sales certification is a sign that you’ve successfully studied and displayed a mastery of pharmacy or related concepts. It shows that you mastered the right skills and knowledge in selling prescription drugs and other useful medications. Showing your knowledge and experience in the scientific and core medical concepts of pharmaceuticals may earn you some respect in the pharmaceutical world.
To be at the top marketer of pharmaceutical products, one needs to be continually improving and displaying industry acumen. The American Marketing Association launched the PCM program to give easy and tangible routes for professional improvement.
Through an in-depth study, you can obtain your Professional Certified Marketer(PCM) certification in the key topics in marketing. The PCM design broadly helps you meet the requirements set by the national professional certification with the standards required for excellence in marketing.
Some of the PCM requirements may be a written and an oral test. You can renew this certificate every three years.
The American Marketing Association is the certifying body for PCM. PCM is also in high demand among these professionals:
- Medical sales representatives
- Senior sales specialists
- Senior sales representatives
- Territory sales representatives
How to Get Started in Medical Sales
A medical device sales professional acts as the lifeline between the manufacturer of medical equipment and the patient-facing healthcare provider.
Even if you do not have experience or qualifications to serve as a medtech sales representative, you might be closer than you realize to qualifying for a role.
In any case, it’s never easy to enter a new profession, but in the field of medical sales, there are many opportunities and studying for the qualifications necessary is surely well worth it.
Furthermore, medtech is one of the most robust industries, and there are many types of jobs, and the list of jobs available is constantly growing.
Breaking into the Industry with No Experience
How do you get hired in medical sales or break into medical sales if you have no direct experience?
Well, start to think some of your inexperience can be your expertise. Even though you might not be coming from a traditional background in medical sales, you probably have some kind of sales or marketing success story from another industry.
If you can convince the potential employer that what you have as an outside experience is enough, then you are half your way to entering the medical sales world.
Below are some tips for getting a medical sales job without experience and breaking into the medical sales world:
Develop a resume that highlights or bulleted your sales achievements.
By scanning the resume, the prospective employer should be able to see all the things you accomplished. Do not bury sales achievements on the back page of a resume. Put accomplishments on the front page of your resume and highlight them with bullets. A sales resume, which demonstrates sales numbers such as ranking, quota attainment, and awards, is a great way to sell your skills to an employer. When selling your skills in medical sales to an employer, utilize these techniques as you construct your resume.
Use keywords, including medical products, devices, and pharmaceuticals.
Keywords may be employed in your “Objective” section of your resume. More often than not, it is keyed into a company’s talent acquisition system, and that system is usually scrutinized by the researchers and human resource practitioners for the right fit.
Therefore, they will be putting in keywords in a database during the course of research for a potential candidate, which identifies candidates best suited for the job description. Adding any of those keywords on your resume will increase the chances that your resume will be noticed.
Reach out to people you know in the field you would like to break into.
If there is no one you know, ask your doctor/pharmacist or just search your local area for medical sales groups (there are some on LinkedIn). Distribute a copy of your resume to them and ask that they pass it along to any sales reps they know.
Tailor your job application process.
Join job search sites such as glassdoor.com to find medical sales jobs in your area. Read the job requirements, and ask yourself what skills you have that would be similar to the requirements set by the employer in their advertisement. If you do not have any of the requirements set forth by the employer, then you most likely will not get selected. If you have some of the requirements, then sell your background and skills in a cover letter to the employer.
Don’t give up.
Everyone has to start somewhere. And remember, you’re selling a product, and that product is… YOU! So take time to figure out what unique qualities you bring to the table when applying for a position. Then, after you’ve done your homework to really know what the role entails, get out and go sell your credentials and your abilities to that potential employer.
Internship and Entry-Level Opportunities
In medical sales, internships and entry-level jobs allow the aspiring professional hands-on experience, which will open him or her to the industry. Most companies dealing with medical devices and pharmaceuticals have well-structured internship programs where candidates work closely with the sales teams. They go through different aspects of product lines, client management, and sales techniques, which are fundamental to building contacts and real-world insights into the competitive nature of the field of medical sales.
Entry-level positions-most often junior sales representative or associate sales consultant-provide recent graduates with an opportunity to hone their skills and further establish themselves in the industry. In these roles, individuals will assist other more experienced sales professionals while learning the details of the business and gradually adding additional responsibilities. A foundation in communication, science, and business, and hands-on experience, equips an entry-level salesperson as a strong pre-entry building block into the medical sales business. Persistence and dedication take entry-level positions to long-term growths in a fast-paced lucrative business.
Leveraging Online Job Platforms and Recruitment Agencies
For those seeking employment in medical sales, it is crucial to use some of the online job platforms and agencies. On these platforms, including LinkedIn, and Glassdoor, there are all types of jobs-from entry-level to senior sales positions-which can even be sorted by city, the size of the company, or experience.
Specialized recruitment agencies that specialize in the area of medical sales, such as MedReps or PharmaSalesCareers, can help a job seeker understand areas where he or she is strong, access the most exclusive opportunities, and gain insight into what typically is expected within the industry. Combining online platforms with recruitment agencies will maximize a candidate’s chances of attaining the right role in the extremely competitive world of medical sales.
Conclusion
New York provides rich opportunities for medical sales professionals, who can take advantage of booming healthcare industries and the concentration of top medical institutions in the area. Demand from experienced sales representatives is always high for medical sales. People entering this field will be able to make the most of various internships and entry-level jobs and networking events. With a diversified job market in New York, professionals can also choose to pursue a strong career in medical sales, aided by health care advances and the place it takes as one of the major medical hubs of the world.
