Know-How Exchange : Career/Training

Succeed by doing your homework. Read everything you can about the company, their competition, and their products. If you can, talk to one of their sales people to learn more about the job. Come prepared to ask them questions based on your research. If you can, talk to a doctor to ask about the sales process from their perspective: what works & what doesn't.

Here is my handy guide to interviewinig....
First - Learn as much about the company as possible. Internet, family friends, old school folks, even random calls to remote offices (not the one you are interviewinig for) will get you information.

Two - Here are the questions that interviewers are taught to ask. They often come in pairs - see below:

What do you consider to be your biggest strength?
Now what is your weakness?

What would you change about your last job?
What would you keep from your last job?
(Warning - do not go negative)

What kind of person do you work with the best?
How do you deal with people you don't get along with?

Hopefully you see the patern developing...

Last:
Beware of interviewers who will bait you to go negative. Even if your last boss was an abusive Ogre (or Ogress), always comment on how much you admired their horns.

I actually interviewed in this exact field prior to starting my own marketing company. I was asked - "How much money are you looking to make?" The interviewer later told me the best answer is "How much does the owner make? - Whatever he makes and then some." I have been in sales for the past 7 years, and trained at least a dozen salesmen/women, and a good salesperson, a successdul salesperson is money motivated.

ANother tip, one of the best ones my Dad, a successful National Sales Manager gave me was that if you are then ASKED after the above comment is made what you would like to make, at that time you can reply with...

"I have thoroughly researched your company (which you should have done), and am very impressed with your product and company structure. I trust that you will give me a fair and NEGOTIABLE offer."

The most important thing Crystal is that you NEVER unercut yourself in pay, never go to low because they will look at that as how you value yourself. People generally are willing to pay good money to good employees.

They may also ask what is your best quality, and what is your least favorable quality. For that one, think of something that can be a negative, but also a positive to the company, like "I tend to be a workaholic."

Be positive, and go in with the attitude that you will walk out with a position!

Hope this helps, and break a leg!

Heidi Bisbee
Bizzybee Marketing
Bowling Green, OH

I would just Google "interview tips" and ton of free sites will come up. The key is to be knowledgeable on the product or industry. You should be aware that any kind of medical or pharm sales can be tough to break into. The reason being is that most of these reps build contacts and thusly a repore with clients. So it's easier to move laterally within the industry.

Having said that, you want to be interested and outgoing when you interview for any sales position. Don't be quite or meek. Make sure you're that type-A personality they are looking for.

Ask a lot of questions regarding the position. This is important because you are new to the industry. This will show interest and enthusiasm for the position.

Why is this position open?
What training is available?
What are the expectations and responsibilities?
Who do I report to?

Be prepared to answer some of the following:

What attracted you to medical sales?
If selected what sets you apart from the other candidates?
What are your strengths?
Weaknesses?
Name a time that you overcame adversity.
Tell me a time that you encountered an angry customer and how you rectified the issue at hand.

They also might ask you hypothetical situations and what you would do. So be prepared to think on your feet.

Hopefully this will help you get started. Again, I would do a search for interview tips.

GOOD LUCK!