How to make the most of your medical sales representative training

For medical sales representatives that are at the very beginning of their careers, one of the most important aspects of their journey is a successful training period. Selling medical technology, healthcare service, or clinical equipment to doctors and hospitals requires a unique set of skills given the complex subject matter and many companies invest in medical sales training and development for their employees.

With the healthcare industry experiencing healthy growth, the clamour for proficient medical sales reps is greater than ever. Making the most of your training course can be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful medical sales representative career, so we’ve outlined a few tips on how you can maximise your learning from your medical sales training courses.

Conduct some pre-research

Having an in-depth knowledge of the market is one of the most important skills that a medical sales rep can have. Therefore, getting a head start on the research element of your role can only be beneficial before starting a training course.

In the specialised world of pharmaceutical sales, representatives partake in sophisticated training courses to keep ahead of a rapidly evolving market.

Preparation is key and it is vital that you ensure you understand the major elements of the course. In an initial training course, you will typically be taught about products and how to promote them efficiently. Therefore, a good starting point would be to go into your training with a good knowledge of current medical products and sales techniques.

You should also consider spending time analysing any problems and opportunities that exist within your organisation and how the content of the course might be used to your company’s benefit.

Reflect on what you want to achieve on the training course

The importance of setting good learning objectives should not be overlooked, as they provide structure and focus to your learning. Before your training course, it’s good practice to look at the modules and objectives and be sure about exactly what you want to get out of them.

Think about how the content fits with your personal development plan and your other objectives. Then, define your objectives in simple, clear language. Most training instructors will ask you at the beginning of the course what you are looking to get from your time there, so it always helps to have your objectives outlined beforehand.

Set a dedicated study space

The e-learning market has exploded over the past few years, valued at over $250 billion in 2020, and is anticipated to grow over 21% between 2021 and 2027. There is a good chance that your company will enrol you on an online course, so it’s important that you are prepped for such an event. One of the most important aspects of an e-learning course is ensuring that you have a dedicated study space.

Whether you feel most productive in your bedroom or office, ensure that your area is quiet, tidy, distraction-free, and available at all times. Your study environment is crucial when you are an online learner, so make sure that it is set up to maximise your study potential.

Put the skills you’ve learned into practice as soon as possible

There’s a stark difference between absorbing information and turning what you've learned into actions. Without doing the latter, your training will go to waste, so it's vital to have a plan for putting what you’ve learned into practice.

At the end of your course, take a few moments to reflect on what you have learned and note down any points of interest from the course. From here, you can create an action plan and map out how you are going to implement what you have learned within your company. Take small steps towards actioning your new skills by setting goals and reviewing them weekly. If you’re making progress within your role, then you are successfully putting the skills you have learned into practice.

Forge a successful medical sales career with IQVIA

At IQVIA, we’re intent on our goal to transform healthcare and place the most talented candidates in the best pharmaceutical sales jobs. A career in medical sales is challenging, rewarding and gives you the opportunity to make a true difference in people’s lives. Browse our available medical sales representative jobs and start your new career today.