How To Answer 5 Medical Sales Job Interview Questions
Here’s a quick guide to answering 5 common (but tricky) job interview questions within medical and health care sales. Click the link for the answer.
Don't make a mistake in your medical sales job interview!
2. “What’s your greatest weakness?”
5. “Can you sell me this pen?”
Perfecting your answers to these typical questions will go a long way toward helping you with what you have to prove in the interview to get the medical sales job you want.
What NOT To Say to Your Medical Sales Recruiter
Just for fun…
I hope you enjoyed that. Now click here for real help with your medical sales interview questions and answers.
Medical Sales Interview Question – “What’s Your Sales Style?”
“What is your sales style?” If you’re trying to land a position in medical sales, you will definitely be asked this question at some point in your interview. (Probably right before “Can you sell me this pen?“) It’s one of many common sales interview questions.
As a medical sales recruiter, I expect a certain kind of answer when I ask someone that question, but in many cases, I don’t get it. In the video below, I’ll let you in on what recruiters and hiring managers are looking for when they ask you about your sales style.
Get started on the right foot by preparing for these typical phone interview questions for medical sales jobs.
Medical Sales Job Interview Question: “Can You Sell Me This Pen?”
Medical sales job interviews commonly have a version of role-play that they use for interview questions. In the most general sense, it’s a “What would you do in this situation?” kind of question. It’s strongly related to the whole behavioral interview process. Hiring managers want to get a better picture of what life will look like when you’re on the job.
In sales jobs of all kinds, the stereotypical question is “Can you sell me this pen?” (One of the most hated job interview questions…)
Because there are so many different kinds of health care sales jobs, and because this particular situation gives you a good idea of the thought process of hiring managers who want to incorporate role play in the interview, I’m going to go through the process of “selling a pen” to the hiring manager in the video below. And I believe practicing this process would be especially helpful to pharma reps who are trying to transition into medical device sales, medical software sales, laboratory sales, or other types.
If you want to get serious about preparing for interview questions, practice role-playing them with an interview coach so you’ll be ready for anything.
Job Interview Questions and Answers for Medical Sales: What You Have to Prove In the Interview
If you’ve been in the job market very long, you know how competitive it is out there–especially if you’re trying to land a job in medical devices, pharmaceutical sales, or health care sales in general. But all that means is that since employers probably aren’t chasing you, you’ve got to bring your “A game” to the interview. The good news is that if you understand what the medical sales hiring manager is looking for and know what your goal is for the interview, you have an excellent chance for success!
Your mission in the interview is to prove to the hiring manager that
(a) you understand the job;
(b) you will be successful in the job; and
(c) you not only won’t be a risk to his own employment, you’ll make him look good.
But how do you prove that? He’s got more than a few candidates telling him that they have such-and-such experience, and that they’re driven, hard-working, enthusiastic, energetic, etc. How do you stand out?
You stand out from the rest of the candidates through your extensive research and preparation.
You’ve got to be able to address, with as much knowledge as you can, what the company’s issues are and how you’re the best person to them. That means doing your homework. You’ve got to know what the company’s mission, goals, and biggest problems are. Do you see the shift here? It’s a little less “this is what I can do” and a little more “this is how I can help you get where you want to go.”
And, the best way to showcase your job interview preparation is through a 30/60/90-day plan.
A 30/60/90-day plan is a written outline of your tasks and goals for your first 3 months on the job. (It’s really fantastic for sales jobs, but it’s completely adaptable to just about every job). You’re spelling out for your potential employer that you know what you need to do to be successful. The more company-specific it is, the better–and that’s where your research comes in. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s a tool that will facilitate your interview conversation, and you can revise it later. The important thing is that it shows the hiring manager you’ve thought about how you’ll accomplish important goals. It demonstrates your communication skills, strategic thinking, dedication, and commitment.
Putting this kind of plan together takes a significant amount of work–a lot more than most candidates will do. But that’s exactly why it makes you stand out as a candidate who can prove why you are the best person for the job.
Want to find out more about how to bring your A game to your medical sales interview?
Sign up for this FREE webinar: How to Get a Better Job – FASTER
Over 200,000 Views on Medical Sales Recruiter Video YouTube Channel!
I am excited to announce that we’ve hit the 200,000-view mark on the Medical Sales Recruiter YouTube Channel!
Thank you for watching and for referring my videos to others. They are all designed to give you a strong competitive edge in the medical sales job market, and I would love to hear from you about which tips or advice you’ve gained the most from that resulted in your career success!
Top 5 Videos (by view numbers)
Salary Negotiations: Discussing Money in the Job Interview – Get Hired Today!
Get advice on how (and when) to handle the very delicate topic of financial compensation in the interview process. Sail past the obstacles that cause trouble for everyone else!
Closing in the Job Interview for a Job Offer
Maneuver through the interview toward the best possible outcome! Never leave another interview wondering if you’ve done everything you can to get the job.
30/60/90-Day Plans for Job Interviews – Get Hired!
What is a 30/60/90-day plan and how can you use it to be a powerhouse candidate who gets the offer?
How to Ace the Behavioral Interview
Get the techniques to master this very common but tricky interview style.
Don’t let panel interviews make you nervous! Get the keys to being a calm, cool, and confident candidate.
These videos offer solid advice on topics that candidates are most concerned with, but I also want to recommend 3 more videos to you. These include some insider tips and out-of-the-box techniques to becoming an outstanding medical sales candidate!
4 Impressive Job Interview Techniques to Get the Offer
I’ve got 4 stories for you about candidates who used my interview techniques with their own unique twists that made amazing impressions on the hiring managers and got them the offer!
How to Prepare for the Toughest Interview Questions
You can find job interview prep tips anywhere, but only here are you going to get the powerful technique to help you slam dunk the interview questions that are real “showstoppers.”
Asking Questions in the Interview Process
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for candidates to participate in the interview by asking questions of their own. Learn which questions really separate you from the other candidates!
Medical Sales Job Interview Advice: Talking About Salary (aka The Money Question)
Of all job interview questions or issues, possibly the most anxiety-inducing one is the one about money. What’s your salary going to be? How much are you worth?
As in all things, there is a time to talk, and a time to shut up.
And if you haven’t already guessed, the time to talk about your future salary is NOT during your interview.
Watch this video to find out:
- Where your focus must be to conduct a successful interview
- How to deflect questions you’re asked about money (exactly what you should say)
- When it’s OK to finally talk about it
Get more valuable tips like these when you sign up for the How to Get a Better Job – Faster! webinar. It’s a free training class to show you how to stand out as a star candidate in every interview.
Is “no experience” stopping you from getting your dream job? Listen here.
If “no experience” is stopping you from the dream job that you desire?
Listen to this short audio clip about how to overcome this objection…..
Want more job-getting advice? Check out this free training on “How to Get a Better Job Faster”
2: Click here to register for this no charge webinar.
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The Importance of Questioning Skills in Your Medical Sales Job Interview
It might surprise you to know that asking questions of your own during your health care sales job interview is just as important as answering them. Candidates spend a lot of time on interview preparation, and they should. Doing your research on the company, bringing your 30/60/90-day plan, and preparing compelling answers to interview questions (as well as having some stories to back them up) are guaranteed ways to have a good interview. But one thing that will make you stand out from other candidates is asking questions.
Asking questions tells you what you need to know.
After all, you’re interviewing the company, too. Is it going to be a good fit for you? Is it going to be somewhere you’ll be able to grow and advance your career? To find out these answers, you’ll ask questions about the company, the mission, the typical work day, travel schedules, and so on—just don’t ask about the salary or the vacation!
Asking questions gives you better answers to interview questions.
Do you want to know what the hiring manager wants to hear? Ask him. Say something like, “What are you looking for in a candidate?” or “Tell me about your most successful employee.” Or ask, “What tasks will define success for this job?” You can even ask, “What would sink an employee in this position?” Any of these questions will define for you what the hiring manager is looking for so that you can show him how you will deliver those qualities and skills he needs when you answer his questions.
Asking questions uncovers doubts the hiring manager might have about you.
When you ask questions like “Do you see any reason you wouldn’t move me forward in this process?” or “Is there any reason you wouldn’t hire me?” the manager will tell you what he sees as your weak spots. It might be a real one that you can provide a plan for correcting, or it might just be a misconception on his part because you didn’t give him the answer he was looking for in a previous question. Once you’ve uncovered those issues, you can correct them and possibly save the interview.
Asking questions turns the interview into a conversation.
Conducting a conversation, rather than participating in a ping-pong-style Q&A session, helps to establish rapport. It becomes a give-and-take between professionals. It makes you seem confident, and capable of thinking strategically. And, it makes you seem more enthusiastic and interested in the job.
You can’t go wrong by asking questions. Here’s a link to killer questions for a medical sales interview.
If you’re not comfortable with this, find an interview coach to role-play the interview with you. It’s worth it if it increases your confidence and gives you a smoother, more successful interview.
The Secret to Standing Out in Your Medical Sales Job Interview – Part V
If you’ve been in the job search very long for a position in medical sales, laboratory sales, medical device sales, surgical sales, pharmaceutical sales, or any other health care sales field, you know how competitive it is. But there are things you can do to make yourself stand out as a candidate…and that’s where this series comes in. Previously, we’ve covered:
Part 1 – Rethinking your job search
Part 2 – Using social media to help you land the job
Part 3 – Using the right tools to impress your interviewer
Part 4 – Job shadowing (a.k.a. medical sales field preceptorship)
Today’s post is part 5: Polish Your Interview Skills
You already know the basic rules for interviewing: dress appropriately (usually, that means conservatively), watch your body language, and prepare answers to typical interview questions. And they really are make-or-break issues.
But did you know how important it is to ask questions of your own?
Or that you must ask for the job before you leave?
These actions demonstrate your confidence and professionalism. They definitely help you stand out, because you’ve gone a step or two farther than most candidates who just answer what they’re asked.
Asking questions of your own shows that you’ve done your research, you think strategically, and you have great communication skills. Yes, you should ask about the company and the job, but you should also ask “What are you looking for in this position?” or even, “Tell me about your best employee.” That’s going to give you big clues to what the hiring manager wants to hear in your answers, and you can tailor them accordingly.
Asking for the job shows that you want it. Many candidates are afraid to be that bold, but you have to do it. If you don’t, hiring managers wonder if you really want the job, or if you have enough initiative to do it well. Simply ask, “What’s the next step?” or “Are you confident that I’m a person who can meet the challenges of this position?” You’ll uncover any doubts the hiring manager has about you so that you can deal with them right then and there. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by, because chances are you won’t get another one.
What else can you do?
- Check out one of my free one-hour training classes:
How to Land a Job in Medical Sales
How to Get a Better Job – Faster!
- Read all the articles on this blog, and go to the Medical Sales Recruiter’s YouTube Channel for videos to walk you through the whole interview process–including the all-important follow up.
- Invest in yourself by hiring an interview coach to role play interview questions with you. Sometimes it results in a big shift in strategy or style, and sometimes it’s just the small tweak you need to put you ahead of other candidates.
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Ace Your Sales Interview If you are a sales professional, or want to become one, looking for a new job, you will face one of the toughest interview processes of any job seeker.
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