How to Write a Pharmaceutical Cover Letter
Pharmaceutical sales representatives have a highly desirable career because of the competitive pay in the industry and because of the nature of the work. Pharmaceutical sales representatives schmooze doctors, pharmacists and other medical staff members to create a greater market share for their company. Writing the right cover letter for one of these positions requires careful planning and research. Applicants for pharmaceutical sales representative jobs need to have a bachelor's degree or higher and the ability to communicate effectively with doctors and other medical professionals.
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Instructions
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Research the pharmaceutical company to which you are applying. You should attempt to learn as much about the company as possible and its place within the pharmaceutical industry. In particular, pay attention to market share and sales volume because you can mention both of these in your cover letter and make it more effective.
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Construct the main header to your letter. The header should include all of your contact information and should be displayed prominently in the top-center portion of your page. Below that, beginning in the left-hand margin, provide the address of the company to which you are applying followed by your greeting. If you know the name of the person to whom you are sending the letter, use it. Avoid the generic: "to whom it may concern," whenever possible.
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Compose your opening paragraph, introducing yourself and the reason that you are writing the cover letter. Your main purpose is to get your resume noticed and get a job interview, but you should mention your research here and any specific ads you may be responding to. You should mention the company's sales volume and market share if possible and your desire to help increase both of these.
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Highlight and summarize your qualifications in the second paragraph of your letter. You should keep it brief, but be thorough enough to highlight your major qualifications that relate directly to pharmaceutical sales, especially your education and any sales success you may have had in the past. Allude to your resume so that the reader will want to peruse it more carefully. Don't divulge all of your qualifications in the cover letter though. Part of the reason for the letter is to get the reader to look at your resume.
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Conclude the letter by iterating your desire to set up an interview. Assume that the reader of the letter will want to interview you and provide him with your contact information again. Provide a time and a day when it is best to contact you so that the reader can make note of it. This will provide an indication that your time is limited and valuable. If the employer contacts you during this specified period, you know he has a real interest.
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References
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