Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Job Requirements
Explore the career requirements for pharmaceutical sales representatives. Get the facts about degree requirements, job outlook and salary to determine if this is the right career for you.
What Is a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative?
Pharmaceutical sales representatives sell pharmaceutical products to clients. They assist customers in selecting products and negotiate and prepare contracts. They also maintain records, answer customer questions, seek out new customers and follow up to make sure customers are satisfied with their purchases. Pharmaceutical sales representatives need to have good organizational, customer service and communication skills.
An overview of career information is presented in the table below to help you decide about this field.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b> </td><td> Biology, chemistry</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td> Presentation, customer service, organization, interpersonal</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td> Certification is optional</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td> 6% increase (<i>for all wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, technical and scientific products</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $86,650 (<i>for all wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, technical and scientific products</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSkillsDoINeed">What Skills Do I Need?</h3><p>Pharmaceutical sales representatives need to have dynamic personalities and a knack for developing good interpersonal relationships. As a pharmaceutical sales representative, you act as the principle liaison between the pharmaceutical company and the client. Because of this, you must have strong communication skills - both written and verbal - as well as good salesmanship.
</p><p>What distinguishes pharmaceutical sales representatives from other salesmen is their knowledge of the medical and pharmaceutical industries. To be a pharmaceutical sales representative, you must be comfortable with scientific terminology and be able to seamlessly move through various medical environments, such as hospitals, doctors' offices and pharmacies.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatEducationDoINeed">What Education Do I Need?</h3><p>Pharmaceutical companies typically look to hire candidates with a bachelor's degree, preferably in a scientific field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also recommends completing coursework in areas that will improve salesmanship, such as communication or marketing (<i>www.bls.gov</i>).
</p><p>It is also possible to enter the industry without attending a 4-year university. The National Association of Pharmaceutical Representatives offers the Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR) certification program. This program can be completed at your own pace online or by correspondence (<i>www.napsronline.org</i>). You can also complete the program in a traditional classroom setting at numerous colleges and universities that offer it. Some companies that are willing to train may also hire candidates who have sales backgrounds but no formal education in science.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillMyWorkEnvironmentBeLike">What Will My Work Environment Be Like?</h3><p>As a pharmaceutical sales representative, your work environment may change frequently. Some representatives spend most of their time in a home office making calls to clients. However, most sales reps spend much of their time at their clients' places of business. Some sales positions may also require you to cover very large areas. For you, that could mean spending your day driving between doctors' offices or even flying cross-country to meet prospective wholesale clients.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>With a bachelor's degree, you may also consider pursuing a career as a sales engineer or a financial services sales agent. Sales engineers are professionals who sell technological and scientific products, help customers resolve problems with equipment and help research and develop products. Financial services sales agents serve as liaisons between buyers and sellers of financial services, such as banking and insurance.</p>