Skip to main content
SEARCH
Two hands shaking over a desk and a laptop.

How do I explain my technical skills in an interview?

Kickstarting or switching your career is only made easier by having solid technical skills under your belt.

Technical skills are expertise and specialised knowledge that you enhance throughout your career. These skills assist you in your day-to-day role and are required in just about every industry, including of course, in healthcare and medical sales.

What are examples of technical skills?

Within contract sales and medical solutions, countless technical skills can set you up for success. Below we’ve listed just a few that your interviewer could be looking for:

  • Data analysis
  • Product knowledge
  • CRM proficiency 
  • Content management systems
  • Market analysis
  • Compliance
  • Project management tools
  • Medical device implementation
  • Basic software proficiency
  • Account management
  • Sales Skills
  • Clinical trials experience

Now that we’ve clarified what technical skills are, we’ll expand on why they’re important and, most importantly, how you can showcase your skills to your interviewer.

Why technical skills are important at IQVIA

Technical skills are vital for roles within the pharmaceutical industry because they enable our professionals to understand and effectively communicate complex product information to stakeholders.

If you’re seeking a MedTech role, medical device and technology operations require a deep understanding of how they work and how to troubleshoot any issues to address customer concerns.

Technical skills allow our professionals across a variety of roles to tailor their approach to specific medical settings, ensuring that the products meet the needs of the end-users. 

Furthermore, technical skills in these contexts help navigate industry regulations and lead to stronger customer relationships and successful product implementation. 

How do I describe my technical skills in an interview?

So, you’re in the preparation stage for your upcoming interview, your application has stood out to the recruiters and talent acquisition teams, and you’re researching interview tips and guidance. But how do you sell your technical skills? 

1. Make sure you understand the role and its technical requirements

When it comes to understanding the role and its technical requirements there are a few things you can do.

First, we recommend saving any job you’ve applied for so you can easily reference the job description when you’re preparing for your interview. 

Reading carefully through the job requirements and description is one of the best ways to understand what technical skills you should draw attention to in the interview. 

By demonstrating you know exactly what the hiring manager is expecting, you’ll stand out in your interview and increase your chances of being offered the role.

As an example, let’s look at one of our Key Account Manager roles, the technical skills you can infer from the job description are:

  • Knowledge of how the NHS operates, including pathways for commissioning healthcare services.
  • Account management expertise.
  • Resource optimisation,
  • Familiarity with the financial aspects and funding within the healthcare system.
  • Understanding how to apply National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in practice is essential for compliance in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Drawing on this knowledge in your interview not only shows you thoroughly understand the role, it also shows you are qualified to fill the position.

2. Use the STAR Method

STAR stands for Situation Task Action Result, this method is commonly used to showcase your experience and background in an interview. 

Our interviews are a perfect time to utilise the STAR technique in your responses to really emphasise your skills, experience, and how you’ve overcome any challenges in your career so far. 

Where possible, look to reference back to the job description and any research you’ve done on the role and the company in your answer. Touching on specific, quantifiable metrics in these answers is a fantastic way to show your competence in the technical skills you’ve listed on your CV.

3. Prepare for technical questions

During your preparation phase, evaluate the types of questions you might be asked. 

Technical questions are designed to get a clear picture of your expertise and abilities so it is useful to anticipate the questions that might come up as well as practise your responses to common technical questions and scenarios.

We’ve got several articles that might further help you in your interview preparation:

  1. How To Prepare For Clinical Pharmacist Interview Questions
  2. 5 top medical sales interview questions
  3. Five behavioural interview questions that you need to be prepared for in medical sales

Expand your technical skills at IQVIA

At IQVIA, we are constantly looking for passionate individuals to advance their careers with us.

Now you’re armed with knowledge on how to demonstrate your technical skills in an interview, make sure to explore our available roles today for a career where you can drive healthcare forward.





List #1

IQVIA Related insights

Diana Heres - Service Development Executive at IQVIA Interface
What does career growth mean at IQVIA? Q&A with Diana Heres

Teaser

Medical Sales & Services

Content Type

Article

Published

24/10/2024

Summary

We caught up with Diana Heres, a Service Development Executive at IQVIA Interface, on her career development journey with us so far.  Diana shares her journey to help answer questions such as “How do

Teaser

Diana shares her journey to help answer questions such as “How do I build up my career?”

Read more
Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Corinne Scott, Client Services Manager at IQVIA
Client Services Manager Corinne Scott shares her career change advice

Teaser

General

Content Type

Article

Published

08/10/2024

Summary

Recently, we interviewed Corinne Scott, Client Services Manager at IQVIA for her insight into how to decide a career change.  Corinne shared her own journey and valuable advice with us to help answer

Teaser

We interviewed Corinne Scott, Client Services Manager, for her insight on changing careers.

Read more
Corinne  Scott

by

Corinne Scott

Corinne  Scott

by

Corinne Scott

man typing at a laptop with a coffee next to his laptop.
What is a Virtual Sales Representative and how can you become one?

Teaser

Sales

Content Type

Article

Published

04/10/2024

Summary

Virtual Sales has a growing presence in the healthcare and medical solutions industry, especially since the pandemic. Virtual Sales is set to be the new normal, even as we’ve emerged on the other side

Teaser

Virtual Sales is set to be the new normal, even as we’ve emerged on the other side of COVID.

Read more
A laptop, notebook, and phone on a desk with a virtual image of Biological molecules.
What can you do with a biomedical science degree at IQVIA?

Teaser

Sales

Content Type

Article

Published

18/09/2024

Summary

If you’re a recent or soon-to-be graduate of biomedical science, and have realised that a laboratory-based career may not be the right direction for you, you may be wondering what other career opti

Teaser

Working in medical sales (or an allied role) could be a great choice to consider after graduating.

Read more
Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith

Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith

four hands, each holding a piece of a jigsaw, placing the pieces together.
The top 4 medical sales rep challenges and how to overcome them

Teaser

Medical Sales & Services

Content Type

Article

Published

17/09/2024

Summary

Stepping into any role in the healthcare sector comes with its challenges, and being a successful medical sales representative is no exception.  Whether you’re an experienced sales rep and feel confi

Teaser

Stepping into any role in the healthcare sector comes with its challenges

Read more
Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

A man and a woman sat at a computer, both are wearing business-wear.
How to kickstart your medical affairs career

Teaser

Medical Affairs & Services

Content Type

Article

Published

13/08/2024

Summary

Medical Affairs is a fast-paced sector and the work is so varied that no two days will look the same.  Medical affairs professionals working in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device in

Teaser

Medical Affairs is a fast-paced sector and the work is so varied that no two days will look the same.

Read more
Medical technology concept - a virtual screen with med tech symbols.
The roles IQVIA offers in MedTech

Teaser

Medical Affairs & Services

Content Type

Article

Published

31/07/2024

Summary

At IQVIA, we recruit for various roles within the MedTech sphere and we’re always looking for professionals keen to move healthcare forward.  In this article, we’ll outline the market for MedTech so

Teaser

We’ve outlined just some of the field-based roles IQVIA has to offer in MedTech.

Read more
Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith

Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith

Some hands at a laptop with a virtual screen popping out of it showing data and trends.
What is the outlook for the global oncology market in 2024?

Teaser

Medical

Content Type

Article

Published

30/07/2024

Summary

In IQVIA, we support customers in their mission to get drugs to patients. As such, we recognise the value of keeping track of the latest market trends, developments, and insights.  Modern healthcare

Teaser

Oncology is just one example of a rapidly advancing field in 2024.

Read more
Catherine Scott

by

Catherine Scott

Catherine Scott

by

Catherine Scott

A lab setting with a clinician looking at a tablet.
What is clinical pharmacology?

Teaser

Clinical Operations

Content Type

Article

Published

23/07/2024

Summary

Clinical pharmacology, a specialised branch of biomedical science, holds a pivotal role in developing vital drugs and ensuring their effective use in patients.  Clinical pharmacologists bridge the ga

Teaser

Clinical pharmacology holds a pivotal role in developing vital drugs and ensuring their effective use in patients.

Read more
Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Smiling female executive making successful deal with partner shaking hand at work.
How to specialise in oncology sales

Teaser

Sales

Content Type

Article

Published

23/07/2024

Summary

Oncologists focus on diagnosing and treating cancer while overseeing treatment and managing post-treatment care. The oncology drugs market worldwide is expected to reach a market volume of $268bn by

Teaser

When it comes to medical sales, we dive into how you can specialise in oncology.

Read more
Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Group of three young coworkers working together in a sunny office.Man typing on computer keyboard. Woman pointing hand to desktop screen. Horizontal image, blurred background
What does a market access manager do and why should you become one?

Teaser

General

Content Type

Article

Published

17/07/2024

Summary

Market access is all about preparing a drug for market entry, and as such it’s a vitally important part of the drug development process and wider pharmaceutical industry. While for pharmaceutical an

Teaser

Market access is all about preparing a drug for market entry, and as such it’s a vitally important part of the drug development process and wider pharmaceutical industry.

Read more
tablet PC and medical equipments, medical technology concept
How to turn a medical science liaison job into a career

Teaser

Medical Affairs & Services

Content Type

Article

Published

04/07/2024

Summary

Becoming a Medical Science Liaison is a popular career choice for many Doctoral-level candidates seeking a meaningful role within the pharmaceutical industry where they can communicate scientifically

Teaser

We look at the possible medical science liaison career paths that could be available to you.

Read more
Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith

Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith