Medical Sales Recruiter - Tips & Quips

Answering Behavioral Event Questions in a Medical Sales Job Interview

the medical sales recruiter — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:13:56 +0000

What is the hiring managers looking for in a great answer to a medical sales interview behavioral event question?

In the video below, I give you 2 very popular behavioral event interview questions and break them down for you–what you should be considering as you come up with an answer for them, and what the interviewer is really trying to find out. Click the video to watch.

Being prepared for behavioral interview questions is only part of a strategic approach to a medical sales interview. There are hundreds of articles right here on my blog that I hope you dig into to help you think about how to be successful in your next interview. If you are new to medical sales, or even if you’re having trouble landing the medical sales job you want, check out my How to Get Into Medical Sales kit for help.

Article courtesy of Peggy McKee - Owner / Senior Recruiter at the nationally
recognized medical and laboratory sales recruiting team of PHC Consulting.
© Copyright 2008 PHC Consulting | All rights reserved

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A Medical Sales Interview Must-Do: 30-60-90-Day Plan

the medical sales recruiter — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:18:44 +0000

When I send my candidates into job interviews, I insist that they bring a 30-60-90-Day Sales Plan…because then they are more likely to get the job. It’s been proven over and over again.

Discussing your plan for success with that medical sales manager psychologically puts him on your team and makes him more likely to hire you.

In the video below, I talk more about what a 30-60-90-Day Sales Plan does to help you get the job.

So…you must have one and you can put one together yourself…or get a template to create a 90-day plan for sales jobs here.

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Medical Sales Job Interview Tip: Show the Interviewer You Are Perfect for the Job…Don’t Just Tell Him

the medical sales recruiter — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:12:02 +0000

Are you perfect for the job? How do you convince the hiring manager? The job search is a sales process, so who’s better at it than sales reps? Especially medical sales reps?
Watch the video for some great medical sales job interview tips that will help you to differentiate yourself from those other candidates.

Get everything you need to conduct a great medical sales job search and find a great medical sales job fast…check out the How to Get Into Medical Sales kit.

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How to Get a Job in Medical Sales If You’re a Military Vet or Spouse

the medical sales recruiter — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:14:32 +0000

I just got an email from a military spouse wanting advice on how to get the attention of medical device sales managers. She’s had trouble building a solid performance history because of her frequent moves. Here’s her email (details changed and/or omitted to protect her identity) and my best tips for transitioning into medical sales follow:

Dear Peggy,

Thank you for all of the videos you have posted on YouTube. They have been valuable tools in my search for a job in medical device sales. As the wife of a Marine, I have had a difficult time building a resume full of numbers and quotas. I have no doubt that I can meet and exceed sales goals. I just need to remove doubts from recruiters’/employers’ minds. Do you have any advice on how I can better market myself?

My short story:

Wife of a Marine who is transitioning out of the military in the next 60 days and moving to the _______ region

B.S. in Business Admin. and Marketing, GPA (great #s),Dean’s list 3 yrs in a row (graduated in 3yrs)

TX Real Estate Broker and Bus. Developer Oct. 20XX-July 20XX

Recently completed Anatomy & Physiology I&II and Medical Terminology and now work as a physical therapy technician

Interested in opportunities at Stryker, Roche Diagnostics, Cook Medical, and Eli Lilly

Thank you for your time. Your inbox likely is inundated with similar questions, so I know your time is valuable. I hope to hear from you soon!

(First, let me say: great email…short, to the point, and respectful. If you’re asking someone for help, this is the way to do it.)

Now for my advice:

Look for folks on LinkedIn (or Twitter, Facebook, or Google+) at the companies you’re interested in with Marine in their background. They will be more receptive to you.

It’s always better to contact the hiring manager directly in any job search, and if you can dig up some way that you connect with them or have something in common, use it.

Get ideas, tips, strategies, and more for targeting and contacting hiring managers, check out this Hidden Jobs Finder system.

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Add This Google+ Circle of Recruiters To Your Job Search Network

the medical sales recruiter — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:28:13 +0000

Google+ is the newest kid on the social media block, but it’s a popular one. If you’re not familiar with it yet, read about the major features of Google Plus.

Signing up is easy, and normal social media guidelines apply here, too: be professional, post a great photo, participate in discussions. Check out these fun graphics that show Google vs. Facebook. And read this helpful article about how Google+ affects your job search.

When you get established, or if you’re there already, I’d like to share a circle of recruiters with you.

Recruiters are always a very valuable ally to have in your job search. They know where jobs are that aren’t posted anywhere else. So, connect with them on LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter, friend them on Facebook, and add them to your Google Plus circles. They should be a strong part of your strategy to crack the hidden job market.

Your task for today is: find me on Google+, scroll down to my post offering to share this circle, and click “Add circle.” That’s all there is to it.

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Will your your medical sales interview prep work get you the job?

the medical sales recruiter — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:32:32 +0000

Let me GIVE you a FREE Guide to the Ultimate Job Interview Prep for your next medical sales interview, and you’ll be able to answer that question with an absolutely positive “yes!”

This 20-page guide leads you through the kind of research and preparation that will put you at the top of the candidate list, no matter how strong your competition is. And it’s free! You’ll learn:

the most critical “need-to-know” facts when researching companies

suggestions for insightful questions that give you ammunition to close the deal

tips for the strongest answers to the interview questions they’ll ask

advanced “Interview Do’s and Don’ts”

Get your medical sales Job Interview Prep Kit before your next interview!

It’s super-easy to download. Get it at Career Confidential’s home page:

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Phone Interview Thank You Notes for Medical Sales Jobs

the medical sales recruiter — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:32:57 +0000

Medical sales phone interviews are a huge factor in whether you move to the next step. You’re facing a lot of competition, and the round of phone interviews helps them weed people out to narrow the search. It’s important to be strategic in your phone and face-to-face interviews, and it’s important to follow up well.

Watch the video below to find out what you should say in your interview thank you note (always sent in email form) and when you should send it–plus, I’ll give you one of my best tips for impressing hiring managers in your interview thank you email.

These tips for interview thank you notes are good for phone interviews and face-to-face interviews to help you stand out as the top medical sales candidate. And then see these typical phone interview questions for medical sales jobs.

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Best Companies for Healthcare Sales Jobs

the medical sales recruiter — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:32:07 +0000

If you’re looking for a job in medical or healthcare sales, don’t you want to know who’s great to work for and who isn’t?

First, check out my latest list of 7 top medical device companies and 11 top laboratory and clinical diagnostics companies, and then go on over to MedReps’ survey results for the best places to work in healthcare sales. Read about the companies, their benefits packages, and selected quotes from survey participants. The 4 winners were:

Allergan – BioPharma

Johnson & Johnson – Pharma and Medical Device

Stryker – Medical Equipment / Medical Device

Medtronic – Medical Device

But they also include Honorable Mentions, like Covidien, Abbott Labs, Roche Diagnostics, Smith & Nephew and more.

***Here’s my strongest warning as a medical sales recruiter: Everybody’s going to want to work for these companies, so if you get an interview, go above and beyond in your research and interview prep for it so you’ll stand out. Start with these:

6 Essential Steps to Landing a Medical Sales Job
Create a 30/60/90-day plan (see why 30/60/90-day plans make such a difference in your success)
Get my Medical Sales Audio Conference (on the form on the top right of this page)
Get a free 20-page comprehensive Job Interview Prep Kit that’s absolutely amazing

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11 Top Laboratory and Clinical Diagnostics Companies for Medical Sales Jobs

the medical sales recruiter — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:53:15 +0000

Lab sales are great (that’s what I was in–I have a background in Chemistry). If you’re looking for a lab sales or clinical sales job, start by checking out some of the biggest names in the business right here. They are in no particular order.

(And before I lose you to the list, make sure–before you go to any job interview–to check out these two posts: There are 6 Essential Steps to Land a Medical Sales Job and Job Interview Questions and Answers for Medical Sales: What You Have to Prove in the Interview. And sign up for my free webinar: How to Land a Medical Sales Job.)

Johnson and Johnson

Owns Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics which provides chemistry and immunodiagnostic products.

Abbott Laboratories

Abbott is big. 90,000employees world wide, $38 Billion in revenue. Pharmaceuticals (anesthesia, cardiovascular, immunology, metabolics, neuroscience, oncology, etc.), diabetes care, and much more.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Laboratory products and services (reagents, consumables, software, equipment, etc.) and analytical technologies (pharmaceutical, biotechnology, research, etc.). Around 37,000 employees and sales over $10 Billion. Number 71 on Forbes Most Innovative Companies list.

GE Healthcare

Diagnostic imaging, clinical care (molecular imaging, oncology, rheumatology, etc.), clinical systems (diagnostic ECG, anesthesia delivery, etc.), Bioprocess, Healthcare IT….there’s just so much that this gigantic company does, you’ve got to check it out for yourself.

Roche

In-vitro diagnostics, diabetes care, point-of-care testing, fertility testing—a big portfolio of diagnostic tools for many diseases.

Genentech (part of Roche)

Biotechnology leader. The headquarters for all Roche pharmaceutical operations in the U.S. (BioOncology, immunology, opthalmology, metabolism, virology, and more.) On Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For list.

Siemens Healthcare

Laboratory diagnostics, clinical (cardiovascular, radiology, surgery, etc.), MRI, Imaging IT, and more.

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Great company. Sells in autoimmune, blood virus, diabetes testing, immunohematology, microbiology, chromatography, microarray, and so much more.

Novartis

Vaccines (5^th largest manufacturer and 2^nd largest supplier of flu vaccines in the U.S.), diagnostics (assays for blood screening, and more).

Luminex

Biological testing technologies in life science and diagnostic industries. Multiplex solutions for proteins and nucleic acids, assays, reagents/microspheres, and more.

Gen-Probe

Biotechnology firm sells molecular diagnostics/testing (Nucleic Acid Tests) to laboratories for infectious diseases, genetic diseases, transfusions, and transplants.

Are there any especially great companies that you think should be on the list?

(PS – BioSpace has a giant list of company profiles if you’re looking for smaller companies, too.)

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7 Top Medical Device Companies To Consider Working For As a Sales Rep in 2012

the medical sales recruiter — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:39:54 +0000

Are you looking for a position within medical device sales? Here’s a free list of great medical device companies to consider—in no particular order of greatness:

(And don’t forget: there are a ton of medical device blog posts right here on Medical Sales Recruiter—Tips and Quips to help you break into this great field, including my top 10 tips for a medical sales job search and a free How to Land a Job in Medical Sales webinar.)

Medtronic

One of the world’s largest medical device makers ($15 Billion in sales) is aiming at getting even bigger by expanding more into global markets. So maybe the biggest job growth is outside the U.S.? Anybody know Chinese?

Stryker

One of the world’s leading medical device and medical technology companies with a strong presence in orthopedics, neurotechnology, surgical supplies and equipment, surgical navigation systems, and more. They’re huge—20,000 employees, $7+ Billion in sales. A Forbes Most Innovative Company and a Fortune Best Company to Work For. But also somewhat controversial—see what a medical sales recruiter has to say about Stryker.

Johnson & Johnson

Owns Cordis (vascular), DePuy (surgical, orthopaedics, etc.) and Ethicon (surgical instruments), and bought out Synthes last year. Synthes is Switzerland based and does instruments, implants, and biomaterials (bone and tissue).

Boston Scientific

Sells medical equipment and supplies–CRM, cardiovascular, endoscopy, urology, and more. 25,000 employees, sales well over $7 Billion. Named a Forbes Most Innovative Company. Announced a 5-year plan to expand Chinese commercial operations.

Abbott Laboratories

Abbott is big. 90,000employees world wide, $38 Billion in revenue ($9 Billion in the medical device arm). Growing presence in medical optics, vascular (as well as diagnostics, pharmaceuticals nutrition and diabetes care).

Covidien

Endomechanical products, respiratory products, soft tissue repair products, vascular products, just to name a few.

Becton Dickinson

Anesthesia, infusion therapy, diabetes care, diagnostics, and more.

What do you think?

(I know this isn’t comprehensive, but you can find a truly comprehensive, A-Z list of medical device companies on DeviceSpace.)

Did I miss anybody you think is an important player or that you heard is a great place to work?

Break into medical sales quickly with my step-by-step How to Get Into Medical Sales Kit.

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