So you’ve decided that you want to go into the business of selling pharmaceuticals. And why not? With benefits such as high six-figure earning potential, a late-model company car, lots of freedom and independence, as well as the opportunity to work with highly-trained medical professionals, it’s no wonder why so many people want a sales job. pharmaceuticals.

Lots of money to be made with the added benefit of being bossless about 95% of the time. There are also opportunities to travel to good resorts and entertain business clients, all at company expense.

But the big problem is getting into the pharmaceutical industry, as it is often seen as a closed field that is open only to those with prior experience. Competition for jobs is also tough, with hundreds of applications submitted for every opening. So here are some general things to consider if you want to go into pharmaceutical sales as your next career.

finish your race

In almost all cases these days, pharmaceutical companies will require you to have a college degree as a prerequisite. It doesn’t have to be in business or science, as many arts graduates have successfully entered the industry. So if you haven’t finished your degree yet, then finish it.

You must know how to open doors

There are many closed doors in the pharmaceutical industry. If you cannot enter from the front door, you must use the side and back doors. But you have to know where to find all the possible doors that lead to your dream job. Do your research on the best ways to network in the industry to learn all you can about the field and make some contacts.

Standard cover letters and resumes just won’t cut it.

You cannot use any standard cover letter and resume format for pharmaceutical sales jobs. You need documents specifically geared towards sales positions. Simply making a list of all the different jobs you’ve had won’t get you that interview. You must know what to write and what not to write to attract the attention of recruiters and sales managers. Again, this is part of the research you will need to do.

You must shine during interviews

You must be able to effectively counteract any background deficiencies that may appear to interviewers as potential liabilities. The role of interviews is increased tenfold for sales positions, so you need to convincingly demonstrate high sales potential, even if you have no sales experience. It’s not just about answering interviewers’ questions. Interviews are potential showcases for your skills and for pharmaceutical sales positions. You have to show the interviewers that you really have what it takes to be a pharmaceutical sales representative.

There is no doubt that a lot of research and preparation is required to land pharmaceutical sales jobs, but a career in this industry is definitely worth it. Fortunately, there are several good resources in the form of books to help you and it is highly recommended that you choose one or two if you really want to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales.