The Kindle edition of Daniel Danielian’s “A-Z: How to Break into the Pharmaceutical Industry” is currently available for just $2.99. It’s a well-reviewed guide that provides advice for getting your start as a pharmaceutical sales representative. It’s a quick read, and the formatting on Kindle is a little wonky (but not in a way that affects readability) but it gives a really good overview of what a medical sales job is all about and what’s required to be a success. On the other hand, it’s not the right book to turn to if you’re looking for resume advice, as it basically starts with the assumption that you’ve managed to get an interview — which for some people is the toughest part of “breaking in”.
On the whole, I would say that the price is right for this solid little introduction to a pharmaceutical sales career.
Medical sales recruiter extraordinaire Peggy McKee has developed a series of videos that should be a must-watch for anyone trying to start a career as a pharmaceutical sales representive, technical sales specialist or any kind of sales position in the life sciences field.
One of Peggy’s tips for landing a sales job is that developing a 30/60/90-day business plan for your first three months on the job will get the attention of hiring managers and show them that you know what it will take to be a success in the field. By doing your homework, you’ll show them that you understand the job, understand your weaknesses — and are willing to work on them, have the ability to plan and set goals, and are willing to go above and beyond to try to close a deal. Take a look — maybe a 30/60/90 plan can help you stand out from the crowd in interviews for non-sales roles as well.
