| Medical device sales is a hot sales category. | | | | a field preceptorship (a.k.a. job shadowing or a |
| Because it's hot, you're going to have some | | | | ride-along) to enhance your knowledge of the job. |
| competition to beat to land the job. But never | | | | Taking the initiative on these items communicates |
| fear-the medical sales recruiter has a strategy for | | | | that you are willing to do what it takes to be |
| you! | | | | successful. (If your problem is the stomach thing, |
| 1. Know what's going on in the market with | | | | you're on your own.) |
| medical device companies. | | | | 3. Know what it takes to be a stand-out |
| First, you have to understand the job-the sales | | | | candidate. |
| process involved in these types of sales, how | | | | * Research what interview questions to expect |
| hospitals buy medical technology, how to deal with | | | | and how to create and show your brag book and |
| doctors, and how health care reform is going to | | | | 30/60/90-day sales plan. Using these kinds of |
| change the game. | | | | tools in the interview will make a difference in |
| Next, know what companies you're looking at: I | | | | how you're perceived as a candidate. And, |
| have a list of the Top 100 Medical Companies that | | | | because you have to research the industry and |
| you can sign up to receive for free, with a | | | | the company to prepare for them, you're better |
| section devoted to medical device companies. | | | | prepared to have an interview conversation. |
| Also, consider looking at the financial world's picks | | | | * Research transition strategies for landing a job |
| for best health care stocks to give you another | | | | in medical sales. If you've got the scientific |
| perspective. | | | | background, it's possible to add some sales training |
| Finally, look online for general information about | | | | in the form of books or classes. If you've got the |
| what's going on in medical devices today. There's | | | | sales experience but not the technical background, |
| a lot of churn in the job market for medical | | | | it can be a little harder--just because there's such |
| device sales professionals in 2010, but still great | | | | a broad scientific and technical knowledge base |
| jobs to be had. Check out the job boards of | | | | required to be a great rep. |
| medical sales recruiters to see what's available. | | | | * Find a career coach to hone your skills as a |
| 2. Know what you're going to need to bring to | | | | candidate and interviewee. An objective, |
| the table. | | | | experienced career coach can save you a lot of |
| A medical device sales rep is positioned as the | | | | time and frustration in your job search. Take |
| expert on new products and technologies for | | | | advantage of it. |
| surgeons, specialists, and executive-level clients in | | | | There are hundreds of articles you can find online |
| hospital administration, and is often required to be | | | | about how to land a job in medical sales, and I |
| present during procedures in operating rooms. So | | | | encourage you to read them. The more research |
| not only do you need a scientific background with | | | | you can do into career field you'd like to transition |
| a strong understanding of mechanical concepts | | | | into, the better. It might not make sense to |
| and technology, you'll need high-level selling skills, | | | | some people to do that much work before you |
| high energy, and probably a strong stomach! | | | | even get the job, but actually, that's what's going |
| If you see that you're lacking in some area, then | | | | to make it more likely that you get the job you |
| fix it-take some classes, do some reading, or try | | | | want. |