What is a typical day for a pharmaceutical sales rep?

My typical day starts at 5:00 or 5:30 in the morning. The first hour or hour and a half is usually spent looking at reports, being on the computer, taking care some administrative stuff. I’m usually out of the house by seven o’clock or 7:30 and just continue to make my rounds.

How hard is it to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?

It’s also intense, highly competitive and sometimes frustrating. Insiders say it’s difficult to get your foot in the door with a medicine company, and that it’s challenging to excel once you’ve landed that first sales job. … Before you can start selling for your company, you have to sell yourself to potential employers.

Is pharmaceutical sales rep a good career?

Pharmaceutical sales representatives often become the trusted go-to point for customers seeking information and assistance in helping their patients. … Pharmaceutical sales is a great career choice for anyone who values the relationships they build at work. You can make a difference in the world.

How do pharma reps get paid?

With most pharmaceutical companies you get a salary and you also get paid commission on your drugs that you sell. So, if you sell 160 percent of one product, you get paid on 60 percent over that quota. The more you sell the more you make, so the harder you work, the more money you make.

How much money do pharmaceutical reps make?

The average salary for a pharmaceutical sales representative in the United States is around $81,533 per year.

How stressful is pharmaceutical sales?

Stress. Medical sales jobs also come with considerable stress. Some respondents specifically cited stress caused by the pressure to make quotas, while others mentioned stress caused by the increasing difficulty of gaining vendor clearances.

How long does it take to become a pharmaceutical sales rep?

Pharmaceutical companies generally only hire sales representatives who hold a four-year bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college.

How competitive is pharmaceutical sales?

Medical sales is a competitive field for a simple reason — professionals love their jobs. This is especially true for those who work in pharmaceutical sales. In fact, as our 2018 Medical Sales Salary Report shows, they report some of the highest satisfaction rates.

How many hours do pharmaceutical sales reps work a week?

Thanks for A2A, I understand you are asking for formal duty hours for a medical sales rep, this usually varies from region to region but in the range of 40–50 hours a week.

Do pharmaceutical sales reps travel?

One pharmaceutical industry report discovered reps that travel up to 75% of the time earn the most money throughout their careers. The more you travel, the more contacts you will establish with prospective buyers. Because of the need to travel as a pharma sales rep, you will have to master the art of time management.

How much do Pfizer sales reps make?

The average Pfizer Sales Rep earns $85,000 annually, which includes a base salary of $80,000 with a $5,000 bonus. This total compensation is $25,405 less than the US average for a Sales Rep.

What certification is needed for pharmaceutical sales?

One of the most popular pharmaceutical sales certifications is the Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR) credential. This certification provides training in pharmacology, medical terminology, physiology, and pharmaceutical sales regulations. Training for the CNPR can often be done online.

What experience do you need to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?

Most employers require at least one year of experience for entry-level pharma sales reps. Some prefer candidates with a background in B2B sales. They usually emphasize the ability to multitask, work independently, make quick decisions and take initiative.

Do medical device sales reps work weekends?

The number of hours a medical sales rep works per week depends on the specialty. On one extreme, representatives in Trauma & Extremities typically work 60 – 70 hours per week and are on-call every other weekend.

How long is pharmaceutical sales training?

The PRC program takes on average about 4 weeks (12 hours course time) to complete.

How much is pharmaceutical sales training?

Time to complete this education training ranges from 15 hours to 6 months depending on the qualification, with a median time to complete of 1 month. The cost to attend National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives ranges from $126 to $500 depending on the qualification, with a median cost of $300.

What to study to become a medical rep?

Employers of medical reps usually prefer graduates with relevant qualifications in life sciences, pharmacy, medicine, nursing or dentistry. These qualifications can be an advantage for medical sales positions requiring specific, technical knowledge.

Do you have to be certified to be a pharma sales rep?

Certifications might not be required by all employers, but they can help with career advancement and improve your industry and sales knowledge. The National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Reps offers training courses and a certification to become a Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR).

How hard is it to get into medical sales college?

How many applicants do you usually accept? We typically invite about 25% of our applicants into the program. Our goal is to provide access to higher education opportunities that enable our students to enter and succeed in medical device sales.

How long is the CNPR program?

about 60-80 hours
For the average student it takes about 60-80 hours of study time to successfully pass the CNPR examination. Once a student passes the CNPR examination they should contact pharmaceutical companies.

How do I get into pharmaceutical sales with no experience?

How to Get a Job in Medical Sales Without Experience
  1. Develop a resume that highlights or bullets your sales accomplishments. …
  2. Use keywords in your resume, such as medical products, medical devices and pharmaceutical. …
  3. Network with those you know within your desired industry. …
  4. Target your applications. …
  5. Don’t give up.

Can nurses be medical sales reps?

Although you technically don’t need a background in healthcare to become a medical or pharmaceutical sales rep (typically, all that’s required is a Bachelor’s degree), nurses are definitely ideal candidates for the career for several reasons including: Possessing critical thinking skills.