What interests you mostly about a career in pharmaceutical sales

If you’re looking for a job in the pharmaceutical industry, you may have to go through a job interview. One way to prepare for this important meeting is to learn how to answer pharmaceutical sales representative interview questions before talking with an interviewer.

Employers look for pharmaceutical sales representatives who are trustworthy, reliable, well organized, and able to solve problems. You’ll also need physical strength and stamina, as well as knowledge of the best ways to market and sell drugs. A pharmaceutical sales representative interview is your chance to show that you’ve polished these skills to a shine. To help you get ready, we’ve listed pharmaceutical sales representative questions and answers that will help you figure out what you want to say during an interview.

Are you comfortable talking to people about medical treatments and pharmaceuticals?

This question can help interviewers understand how comfortable you are with the sales process and whether you’re a good fit for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention that you enjoy helping people and providing solutions to their medical needs.

Example: “I love talking to people about healthcare because I find it so rewarding to see someone’s life improve after they start taking a new medication or treatment. It makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the world by helping others live healthier lives. I also think it’s important to be honest when discussing medications and treatments, which is why I always make sure to provide patients with all of the information they need before deciding on a course of action.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a successful pharmaceutical sales representative?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in their company. Use your answer to highlight some of your most important qualities, such as communication skills, problem-solving ability or creativity.

Example: “I believe that a successful pharmaceutical sales representative needs to be highly organized, detail-oriented and empathetic. These three qualities are essential for building strong relationships with clients and understanding their unique situations. I also think it’s important to be able to communicate effectively and solve problems creatively. In my last role, I had a client who was unhappy with our product because they said it wasn’t helping them sleep at night. After talking with them about their situation, I realized they were taking too much of the medication. By lowering their dosage, they were able to get better results.”

How do you build relationships with doctors and other healthcare professionals?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with others in your field. Showcase your interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with others by describing a time when you helped build relationships with doctors or other healthcare professionals.

Example: “I find that building strong relationships is one of the most important parts of my job because it helps me get to know my clients better, which allows me to provide them with more personalized service. I recently worked with a doctor who was looking for new pharmaceuticals to add to his practice. After meeting with him several times, he decided to switch all of his patients over to our company’s products.”

What is your experience with presenting scientific information to doctors and other healthcare professionals?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with presenting information to a variety of audiences. Use examples from previous experiences where you had to explain complex scientific concepts in an easy-to-understand way.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for creating presentations that explained our pharmaceutical company’s newest drugs and how they could benefit patients. I would present these to doctors at medical conferences and other healthcare professionals who were looking for new treatment options. In these situations, it was important to keep the presentation short and simple so that everyone could easily understand the benefits of our products.”

Provide an example of a time when you overcame a challenge while selling pharmaceuticals.

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach challenges and overcome them. Use examples from your previous experience to explain what steps you took to solve the challenge, how you overcame it and what you learned from the situation.

Example: “In my last position as a pharmaceutical sales representative, I had a client who was hesitant about our product because of its price. After speaking with him for some time, he told me that his company’s budget wasn’t enough to cover the cost of our product. I suggested other ways we could lower the cost of the product without lowering the quality. He agreed to try one of our more affordable products, and after using it for several months, he decided to upgrade to our premium product.”

If a doctor asked you a question about a drug that you didn’t know the answer to, what would you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to learn quickly. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you researched information about a drug or asked someone for help with the answer.

Example: “If I didn’t know the answer to a doctor’s question, I would first try to find out as much as I could on my own by researching the drug in our company database or asking other sales representatives who may have more experience with that particular drug. If I still couldn’t find the answer, I would ask my manager or another expert at the company for help.”

What would you do if you saw a competitor’s drug being used in one of your accounts?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would react to a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to take action and make decisions in order to achieve your goals.

Example: “If I saw my competitor’s drug being used in one of my accounts, I would first try to find out why it was prescribed instead of our product. If there is no reason for this prescription, I would immediately contact the doctor or healthcare professional who wrote the prescription and ask them to change their prescription to ours. This shows the client that we care about their needs and want to provide the best possible treatment.”

How well do you understand the FDA approval process?

The FDA approval process is a critical part of pharmaceutical sales. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the process and how you would apply it in your role as a pharmaceutical sales representative. In your answer, try to explain what the FDA approval process is and why it’s important for pharmaceutical companies to follow it.

Example: “I understand that the FDA approval process is an extensive one that requires pharmaceutical companies to provide evidence that their products are safe and effective before they can sell them to consumers. I also know that if a company fails to comply with the FDA approval process, they could face serious consequences like fines or even product recalls. As a pharmaceutical sales representative, I would make sure my company followed all aspects of the FDA approval process so we didn’t put our customers at risk.”

Do you have experience working with sales management?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with your superiors. Your answer can also tell them about your experience working in a team environment and collaborating with other sales representatives to achieve goals.

Example: “In my last position, I worked directly with the sales manager on a daily basis. We would discuss our progress toward reaching quotas and set new goals for ourselves. She was always available to offer advice or feedback when needed. She taught me many valuable skills that helped me become more confident as a pharmaceutical sales representative.”

When planning your sales calls, how important is location to you?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you value their company’s location and whether you would be willing to travel for sales calls. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of visiting clients in person, but it also needs to demonstrate your willingness to travel if necessary.

Example: “I believe that face-to-face meetings are always the most effective way to build a relationship with a client. I plan my sales calls so that I visit each client within a reasonable driving distance from their office or home. If there is no convenient time to meet with them, I am happy to make additional trips to ensure they get the best service possible.”

We want to increase our market share. What would you do to achieve that goal?

This question is a great way to see how you can apply your skills and experience to the company’s goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what steps you would take to increase market share for the pharmaceutical company.

Example: “I believe that increasing market share starts with understanding who our target audience is. I would start by conducting research on our current customers to learn more about their needs and wants. From there, I would use that information to create an effective marketing campaign that targets those specific demographics. This strategy has helped me grow my sales in the past, as it allows me to focus on providing solutions to the problems of our existing customers.”

Describe your experience with using sales automation software.

This question can help the interviewer determine your comfort level with using technology in a work setting. It can also show them how you might use similar software to streamline your tasks and increase productivity at their company. In your answer, try to describe what kind of sales automation software you’ve used in the past and how it helped you complete your job duties more efficiently.

Example: “In my last position as a pharmaceutical sales representative, I used Salesforce extensively. This software allowed me to keep track of all of my leads, including who was interested in our products, who had already been contacted by another rep and which ones were ready for follow-up calls or emails. The system also made it easy to collaborate with other team members on projects and stay up-to-date on important deadlines.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant experience and soft skills.

Example: “I have five years of sales experience in pharmaceuticals, which makes me highly qualified for this position. I also have excellent communication skills, which is important when working with clients. In my previous role, I was able to increase sales by 20% within six months of starting. This shows that I am committed to helping companies succeed.”

Which industries do you have the most experience in?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. It’s important to highlight any unique or impressive experiences you have that relate to pharmaceutical sales.

Example: “I’ve worked in healthcare my entire career, starting as a nurse before moving into sales. I find that my medical knowledge helps me connect with doctors and nurses on a deeper level than other sales representatives. My nursing background also gives me an understanding of how medications can affect patients differently depending on their health conditions.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when working with doctors?

This question can help interviewers understand how you interact with others and your ability to work as part of a team. When answering, it can be helpful to mention the importance of listening to doctors’ needs and respecting their time.

Example: “I think one of the most important things is to listen to what they have to say. Doctors are busy people who often don’t have much time to talk on the phone or meet with sales representatives in person. I always make sure to take notes during our conversations so that I remember everything they tell me. This helps me provide them with information about my products that they may not know.”

How often do you update your knowledge of pharmaceuticals and medical treatments?

This question can help interviewers understand how much you value your own education and the importance of staying up-to-date on current medical treatments. Use examples from your past experience to show that you are willing to learn new things, even if it’s outside of your comfort zone.

Example: “I am constantly researching new pharmaceuticals and medical advancements in my free time. I have a few friends who work as doctors at local hospitals, so I often ask them questions about their experiences with certain medications or procedures. They’ve been very helpful in providing me with information that I can use when speaking with clients.”

There is a new treatment for a common condition that your company doesn’t currently offer. How would you bring this to your manager’s attention?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. Your answer should show that you can communicate effectively, are willing to take initiative and have the confidence to suggest new ideas.

Example: “I would first do some research on the treatment and its effectiveness. Then I would schedule a meeting with my manager to discuss the idea of adding this treatment to our current offerings. If it seems like a good fit for our company, I would offer to help create a marketing plan or sales pitch for the product.”

Why are you interested in a pharmaceutical sales position?

What interests you most about this sales position?

What interests you about medical sales?

How do you stand out in a pharmaceutical sales interview?