An optimised CV
It's often cited that recruiters spend on average
5-7 seconds looking at your CV. While we know first-hand that many hiring managers will take more
consideration when reviewing applications, the key message here is that you
need to make your CV attention-grabbing. Apart from weeding out the basic
errors - such as spelling and grammar mistakes, a generic personal
statement or clunky formatting - you need to make sure that you've
fine-tuned your Medical Sales CV
so it's easy to read and clear that you're qualified.
Recruiters and hiring managers are increasingly using CV-scanning software,
meaning you need to make yours ATS-friendly. But what do we actually mean
by this? It means you need to follow some SEO best practices:
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Use relevant keywords such as medical sales, representative, medical
device, and pharmaceutical
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Avoid specialist templates as these get scrambled
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Avoid graphics that will be unreadable
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Don't put your information in the header as this can cause it to get
lost
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Include as many skills listed on job descriptions that are relevant to
you
Dedication
Have you put the effort into showing that you’re serious about a role in
Medical Sales? You need to show that you have skills that relate to the job
you’re applying for, as well as relevant experience. List any
qualifications in areas related to the job - for instance, an undergraduate
degree in pharmacology is definitely important, you also need to build up a
skill set that will allow you to thrive in the diverse world of medical
sales.
Whether you’re just starting out, or switching up your career path, gaining
work experience with a Medical Sales Representative, or in a sales job, can
be a valuable way of showing a recruiter or employer how serious you are.
Plus, you'll get an understanding of what the work is really like and
which medical sales career path is right for you.
Sales skills
Essentially, applying for a job in medical sales involves being able to
sell your products, in addition to knowing how to handle the paperwork and
having extensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. Given that
80% of any sales output will only be generated by 20%
of the workforce, you can be sure that the hiring team will be assessing
whether you're in that top percentile. To stand out, get some additional
experience, whether it’s by shadowing sales representatives or attending a
sales course in your spare time. It'll go a long way in helping you get
noticed and hired.
An active approach
One of the defining traits of a Medical Sales Rep is the ability to be
proactive and track down leads or clients by themselves. This applies to
job hunting, too. Get in touch with recruiters or employers by email and
ask if they have any vacancies expected to open up in the near future. Even
if they don’t, they’ll likely remember you later when one does come up.
Since around
86% of people use social media
for job searching, it's vital to make the most of social platforms and
nurture your network. Follow industry-leading experts and
establish yourself as a thought leader, engage with content that companies are posting and reach out to
recruiters to let them know you're exploring your options.
Grow your Medical Sales career with IQVIA
Getting a job in the medical sales industry can prove challenging. But with
the right approach, and by investing time into the right areas, you’ll be
able to distinguish yourself from the crowd and convince recruiters and
employers alike that you’re the ideal candidate.
At IQVIA, we take the time to support our Medical Sales Reps and match them
to the best jobs in the field. Have a look at
our Medical Sales Representative careers here
, or if you’re curious to find out more about forging a career in medical
sales, then why not check out our advice on
how you can improve your medical sales skills.
