Do you want to become a medical sales rep but don’t have any experience? Don’t worry – it’s not impossible, especially with more than 39,000 jobs available in the US alone. However, there are a few things that you can do to increase your chances of getting hired, even if you don’t have any prior sales experience. In this blog post, we will discuss seven tips that will help you become a successful medical sales representative with no experience. Let’s get started!
What Is A Medical Sales Rep?
A medical sales representative is a professional who sells and promotes medical products to physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. As a medical sales rep, you will be responsible for finding new customers, building relationships with existing customers, and promoting your company’s products.
Most medical sales reps have at least a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field, such as biology or chemistry. However, some companies may hire you if you have a degree in another field, such as business or marketing. In addition, many medical sales reps have prior sales experience, although it is not required.
What Is The Average Salary Of A Medical Sales Rep?
Before jumping into any tips, let’s first answer the question: how much can you expect to make as a medical sales rep? The total compensation for medical sales reps is around $149,544 per year, including the base and average bonuses. This number can vary depending on the company, location, and other factors. While you likely won’t start out at this salary, it’s important to know how much you could potentially earn in this career.
What Skills Do You Need For A Medical Sales Rep Position?
There are a few key skills that you will need to be successful in a medical sales rep position. This includes:
The Ability To Build Relationships With Customers
One of the most important skills that you will need as a medical sales rep is the ability to build relationships with customers. You will be responsible for finding new customers and maintaining relationships with existing ones. This means that you must be able to establish trust, show empathy, and build rapport.
Persuasive Abilities
As a medical sales rep, you will need to be persuasive. You will need to convince potential customers to buy your company’s products. This means that you must be able to identify customer needs and match them with the right product. If you’re unable to do this, you likely won’t be successful in medical sales.
Achieving Goals
As a medical sales rep, you will have goals that you will need to achieve. This could be anything from meeting a sales quota to finding new customers. Whatever your goals are, you will need to have the drive and determination to achieve them. If you’re good at setting and achieving goals, you will likely excel in this career.
Time Management Skills
With so many leads to follow up with and customers to meet, time management skills are a must for medical sales reps. You will need to be able to prioritize your tasks and manage your time wisely. If you’re not good at managing your time, it can be hard to succeed in this fast-paced career.
Communication
One of the most important skills that you need for any job is communication. This is especially true for medical sales reps. You will need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, co-workers, and managers. If you’re not a good communicator, it can be hard to close deals and build relationships with customers.
Confidence
Sales is a confidence game. If you’re not confident in your abilities, it will be difficult to sell products. As a medical sales rep, you will need to be able to pitch products and close deals confidently. If you don’t have confidence in yourself, it will be difficult to succeed in this career.
Active Listening
Active listening is a skill that is essential for any salesperson. As a medical sales rep, you will need to be able to listen to customers and understand their needs. If you’re not good at active listening, you may miss important cues from customers that could lead to a sale. For example, if a customer mentions that they are looking for a product that meets a certain need, you will need to be able to remember this and pitch the right product.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Since medical sales reps are often responsible for finding their own leads, it is important to have an entrepreneurial spirit. This means that you should be driven and self-motivated. If you’re not good at taking initiative, you may find it challenging to succeed in this career as a medical sales rep.
Optimism
Being an optimist is another important trait for medical sales reps. This is because selling can be a tough job. You will need to be able to handle rejection and continue to move forward. For example, if you’re trying to sell a product to a potential customer and they say no, you should be able to move on to the next lead without letting it get you down.
Ability To Handle Objections
As a medical sales rep, you will need to be able to handle objections from customers. This means that you must be knowledgeable about your products and be able to address any concerns that customers may have. For example, if a customer is concerned about the price of your product, you will need to be able to explain how the product is worth the price instead of simply trying to sell them on the product.
How To Become A Medical Sales Rep With No Experience
It’s no secret that the medical sales industry is notoriously difficult to break into. In order to even be considered for a job, most companies require at least 2-3 years of experience in the field. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get your foot in the door. If you’re determined to become a sales rep but don’t have any experience, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of being hired.
Research the Industry and its terminologies
The first step is to learn as much about the medical sales industry as possible. This means researching common terms and understanding the types of products sold. You should also familiarize yourself with the different channels through which medical sales reps sell their products (e.g., hospitals, clinics, pharmacies). The more you know about the industry and its inner workings, the better prepared you’ll be during the interview process. Not to mention, you’ll be able to ask informed questions that demonstrate your interest in the field.
Choose A Specialization
There are many different types of medical sales, so it’s important to choose a specialization that interests you. This will make the job search process much easier because you can target companies that sell products related to your area of interest. For example, if you’re interested in selling surgical equipment, you should focus your job search on companies that manufacture and sell this type of equipment.
Build A Strong LinkedIn Profile
In today’s digital age, a strong online presence is essential for anyone looking to build their career. This is especially true in the medical sales industry, where networking is key. One of the best ways to network and connect with potential employers is through LinkedIn. Make sure your profile is up-to-date and includes a professional headshot, summary, and list of your skills and experience. You should also take the time to connect with other professionals in the medical sales industry. Not only will this help you expand your network, but it will also give you insights into what companies are hiring and what type of experience they’re looking for.
Get Certifications
While not required, certifications can go a long way in helping you stand out from other candidates who may be vying for the same position. For example, some online organizations offer short programs that cover various topics related to medical sales, such as product knowledge, clinical procedures, and effective selling techniques. If you complete any of these types of programs and earn a certification, it will show potential employers that you’re serious about making a career in medical sales.
Network
In addition to research and certifications, another way to make yourself a more appealing candidate is by networking with people who already work in medical sales. Attend trade shows or conventions related to healthcare and strike up conversations with reps from different companies. Not only will this give you an opportunity to learn more about what the day-to-day job entails, but it will also help you expand your professional network—which could come in handy when it comes time to look for jobs.
Find a Mentor
Having a mentor can be extremely helpful when trying to break into any new field, especially one as competitive as medical sales. Your mentor can provide guidance, advice, and support as you navigate your way through the job-searching process. They can also help you connect with other people in the industry who may be able to help you find a job.
If you don’t know anyone who’s currently working in medical sales, try reaching out to your network of family and friends—someone may know someone who knows someone who’s currently working in the field. Alternatively, there are plenty of online resources that can help you connect with potential mentors (such as LinkedIn). Once you’ve found a mentor, make sure to nurture that relationship by staying in touch on a regular basis and being respectful of their time and energy.
Create Your Own Opportunity
If you’ve been eyeing a particular company but haven’t been able to land an interview because of your lack of experience, try reaching out directly to the decision-makers within that organization. Send a personalized email or LinkedIn message introducing yourself and explaining why you believe you would be a valuable asset to their team. Then attach your resume so they can get a better sense of your qualifications. While there’s no guarantee they’ll hire you on the spot, it definitely couldn’t hurt to try and may result in an interview!
Conclusion
Breaking into the medical sales industry without any experience can seem like an impossible feat. However, if you conduct research, get certifications, network with professionals, and create your own opportunities, you significantly increase your chances of being hired for a position in medical sales. So don’t give up—keep pursuing your dream of becoming a medical sales rep!
If you’re looking for your next career move, contact us today at Sales Recruiters Denver, or browse through open jobs to find the position of your dreams! Sales Recruiters Denver is the top sales recruiting firm in Denver, Colorado. We specialize in placing top sales talent into great companies nationwide. If you are looking for a new sales opportunity, let’s connect today.