How to Become a Drug Representative
If you have a persuasive personality and enjoy sales, then a career as a pharmaceutical sales representative may be one that interests you. Although pharmaceutical sales representatives spend a lot of time on the road visiting hospitals and physicians to sell their products, the compensation is typically very good; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary in 2006 was $66,000.
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Instructions
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Get a bachelors degree. Pharmaceutical companies very rarely hire sales representatives without a four-year degree. A scientific major is also helpful because you must understand how the drugs you are representing work to be able to effectively market them.
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Be able to pass a background check. Sales representatives are often entrusted with a company car and credit card to cover their expenses while traveling. A potential employer may check your credit history as well as your driving record to make sure you don't have any DUI convictions.
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Find a job. Check out the Careers section on the Web sites of the major pharmaceutical companies. Search sites like Monster.com, Indeed.com and CareerBuilder.com for positions. Attend job fairs and make contacts with recruiters who could help place you in a position. Pharmaceutical sales is a highly competitive field, so be prepared to send out many resumes before you land an interview.
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Be on time for your interview and present yourself professionally. Wear a suit, and bring extra copies of your resume. Expect to go through multiple interviews before you are hired.
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Attend all of the required training sessions after you are hired. Learn all aspects of the products that you will be representing so you can craft a persuasive sales pitch. You may also be required to work alongside a more senior representative during your training period.
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