Medical Sales vs. Pharmaceutical Sales

I'm pursuing both medical & pharmaceutical sales jobs. I've heard so many different things about both careers & can't decide which would be a better fit for me. I want to take NASPR or NAMSR, but was really thinking about taking both...any suggestions?

And....How long (on average) after I receive the certifications & really pour the heat on pursuing these industries should I expect the search to be?

BIG DIFFERENCE! It's a matter of what you can qualify for? Pharma is more entry level where as medical requires more experience. send your resume to admin@medicalreps.com and our service will offer you professional opinion.

Ralph Steeber in Cleveland, Ohio said: BIG DIFFERENCE! It's a matter of what you can qualify for? Pharma is more entry level where as medical requires more experience. send your resume to admin@medicalreps.com and our service will offer you professional opinion.

Ralph,
Pharma and medical equipment/consumable sales are completely different. Both require good "people" skills, but in the capital or medical equipment side of the industry closing skills are extremely important. This end of the business is transactional. In other words, you must be able to complete the "deal" with a firm purchase order. Most sales representatives do not have the skill sets to position themselves in a consultative manner to actually "close" a deal. It takes a special person to look someone in the eye, ask for an order, and then get them to sign off on it (complete the transaction). If you are the type of person that likes repetitive speels .........pharma might be the course to take. If you are willing to be like a professional golfer and take home a pay check based on constant closing the deal on a course that changes constantly, you might want to go for medical equipment/consumable sales. Either direction is a good one. Both are noble professions.
Good selling! (conscious competence is the reality...not good luck)
John

John,

Any advice on how to break into either Pharma or Medical Equipment sales, especially with no prior sales experience? I do have some medical training but can't seem to get around the minimum sales experience all the jobs seem to require. Thanks.

Go into Medical... unless you like being treated like you are 22 and have no idea how to sell, or read tech. data for the rest of your life.... oh, and you forgot to point with your pen when using your sales aid... (fails to meet expectation).

Hi everyone! I am 23 years old and I am very interested in being a medical sales representative. I am trying to get my foot in the door and would like to shadow a representative. If you are a representative and lives in Tampa, FL. Please send me a message. Thank you.

HELLO... I LIVE IN RI.I JUST FINISHED SCHOOL AT SANDFORD BROWN IN PHARMACY TECH PROGRAM. I AM TRYING TO GET A JOB IN RESEARCH OR PHARMACEUTICAL SALES REP. I CAN'T GET A JOB NO ONE WILL HIRE ME I KEEP HEARING THE SAME THING THEY WANT SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE. WELL HOW DO WE GET EXPERIENCE IF NO ONE WILL GIVE ME A CHANCE.PLEASE HELP!!!

There is a large difference between medical sales, medical device sales and pharmaceutical sales. The work load required is different, the skill sets required are usually different and the compensation in each are totally different. 1099 reps vs direct reps, ones travel travel requirements, their call points, the background required, the day to day lifestyle and everything else is totally different. I've been in the industry for years so I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have?

@medicalrepinsight.com: could you be more specific in what medical sales vs. medical device sales vs. pharm sales would entail? I am currently an RN and have a varied background with skills that I think would easily transfer into a career in sales--I am just not certain as to which direction to take. Thank you!

medicalrepinsight.com in Atlantic Beach, Florida said: There is a large difference between medical sales, medical device sales and pharmaceutical sales. The work load required is different, the skill sets required are usually different and the compensation in each are totally different. 1099 reps vs direct reps, ones travel travel requirements, their call points, the background required, the day to day lifestyle and everything else is totally different. I've been in the industry for years so I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have?

I am a microbiology major graduating this May and am very interested in a medical device sales position. My question is, are there any companies that will hire new grads and train or should I look for a job selling copiers for two years?