The healthcare industry offers pharmacists the opportunity to use their
specialist skills in a variety of roles, including sales and marketing.
What pharmacists may lack in sales experience, they make up for in
expertise and scientific capacity. A pharmacist’s experience can give
them a significant advantage in medical sales and provide them with the
capacity to carve out a successful career. Thanks to the
breakthroughs made in science and technology, the pharmaceutical industry is entering an exciting new era. Now is
the
perfect time to embark on a career in medical sales
and we’ve listed the top skills that a pharmacist can carry over and
how they can be beneficial.
Pharmaceutical knowledge
As a pharmacist, you’ll have spent years studying numerous drugs, with
an understanding of the patients and how they will use the drugs. Your
knowledge of the science behind the pharmaceutical products on the
market gives you an advantage over medical reps who lack scientific
expertise.
When you meet with clients, you can make up for your lack of sales
expertise with your more insightful explanations and authoritative
answers to their queries.
During an interview for a medical sales role, share an example of a
time that you have had to teach a new colleague about pharmacy and the
key information about prescription drugs. Articulate how you helped
them understand the purpose of particular drugs and why they are useful
to the patient. Your expertise will provide you with the perfect
foundation to succeed as a medical sales rep and examples of putting it
into practice offers a great opportunity to impress the recruiter.
Interpersonal skills
Great people skills are one of the key attributes of a
successful pharmaceutical sales rep. As a pharmacist, much of your day is spent interacting with customers
and medical professionals, and the skills built up during these
meetings will benefit your pharma sales career.
Social interaction and
building rapport with clients
are crucial aspects of the sales pitch process and you’ll have to make
a meaningful connection with your customer to reap the rewards.
Although your
medical sales training
will provide you with techniques that help you improve your sales
skills, your natural charisma and character will give you an edge.
Recruiters love to see that know how to connect with people, so let
your authenticity shine through and show off your listening ability in
your interviews.
Managing tasks efficiently
Great multitasking skills are important in almost every field, and in
medical sales, it can be the difference between success and failure. As
a pharmacist, you would have managed multiple customers’ demands,
tended to the needs of doctors and fulfilled prescription orders on a
daily basis. As a medical sales rep, you’ll balance answering clients’
questions, arranging client meetings, preparing sales pitches,
assisting colleagues and much more.
Your experience as a pharmacist will help you manage your time when
you’re facing some tight deadlines. When interviewing for a position in
medical sales, ensure that you reference points in your career when you
had to prioritise tasks and manage your workload to hit your goals.
Communication Skills
The ability to effectively communicate with clients and team members is
a key skill for pharmaceutical sales reps. In addition to providing
in-depth explanations about your products, you need to coordinate
meetings, work closely with your peers, and interact with clients’
staff.
A pharmacist may have experience communicating with doctors and
customers as well as having to provide clear and concise instructions
to staff. In doing so, you will have built up excellent communication
skills with experience in getting your message across in the most
efficient way possible.
When interviewing for a pharma sales rep job, you can stand out from
the crowd by highlighting times that you have had to overcome
communication issues. This can include difficult customers, language
barriers or even a technological issue.
Grow your career with IQVIA
If you’re interested in a role in pharmaceutical sales, then IQVIA can
help. You’ll have the opportunity to work in tandem with international
pharmaceutical companies and make a difference in people’s lives.
