Sales Boy

Show them, first, that you've researched the company and understand its needs. What are the sales figures for the company's products? How do its drugs stack up against others in their class? Where is the company headed? Then, explain how your specialized knowledge, skills, network, commitment and enthusiasm will exactly meet those needs. Before the interview, list four to six categories of reasons that best support your candidacy along with supporting evidence for each.

Confidence and persistence are the most important qualities for a sales person, without which you can never hope to succeed. As well as confidence in yourself you need confidence in the product which should be palpable and obvious.

This could be through study, training or experience. It all depends on the type of person you are and the type of skills you have.

This interview question is negatively phrased and is designed to uncover a lack of confidence or weakness. When giving your answer the key is not to admit to inadequacies, but to focus on meeting, and surmounting challenges which form a regular part of the salesperson's job. An example of a skill, or lesson learned as a result of overcoming a difficulty is seen as indicative of a positive and determined attitude.

Everyone says they're an eight or nine, according to Scott Brent, author of the book Tactical Aggressiveness (due out in July 2011), which features job interview tips for pharma sales reps and other professionals. "But you also need to explain why you are that kind of person," he says. "Give some situations of how you're competitive both on and off the job."

Over my career I've not only met all minimum quotas but I've set several sales records. Between 2013 and 2014, when many sales professionals in my industry were seeking non-sales related jobs due to the recession, I was able to increase my production by 10% over the previous year. Even though market conditions weren't ideal, I was able to find new sales strategies and techniques to help me maintain my momentum.

Translates to: Is this what I want to be doing? You don't want to accept a job where you don't really know the sort of things you'll be doing, especially if you find that your daily tasks are too easy.

Translates to: Do I fit the bill for the kind of person they are looking for? Maybe you'd know whether you are up to the job better than they.

Provide some examples of occasions where you were under pressure and you succeeded.

Tell the truth, but don't focus on minutiae. This is your chance to highlight traits that are helpful in pharma sales jobs, such as initiative, organization and the ability to follow through.

Every organisation looks for good leadership qualities in their employees. While freshers are expected to follow their seniors in most situations, the firms know that only freshers can bring in change. They look for youngsters with an ability to bring change. You need to explain your leadership skills and your ability to understand the situation and find an apt solution. They seek leaders who are not bossy but understanding. Power blinds most men and you need to show the interviewers how you can help progress happen with your leadership skills.

The interviewers wish to know whether you are ambitious. They also wish to know how well you understand the industry and your own potential. Questions like these should be answered with clarity. Your answer should reveal to the interviewers that you know exactly what you are doing. You may reply that you see yourself as the chief editor of the creative department in a prominent firm. This reply reveals confidence and clear understanding of the industry.

What happened? What was the outcome? Questions about leadership can be academic or otherwise. Consider any roles you might have had in clubs or societies. Maybe you organised events for your university sports team, or you were head boy/girl at school/college and made some good decisions

Well, I have been a fan of your company and your products for a long time now. My family has used your products. I have your X, Y, and Z. I use your Z, A, and B and love them. I saw your company at a charity event and the guys that were at the event really seemed energetic and were all volunteering. I went home and did some research.

This is a great answer because it lets the interviewer know that this job opportunity didn't just fall in your lap, even if it did.

This is something that might be very difficult to answer. Whatever you choose to talk about, important to remember is to say what the outcome was and state what you learned from this experience. Don't say that you were fired!

Be specific. You should come prepared with at least three examples of ways you personally contributed to increased pharmaceutical sales. Back up your points. Before the interview, write three specific situations in your current or previous jobs when you attained goals. Example: "I increased the sales of X with my three-part strategy of…"

If you've been employed before, try to make this sound positive.

☛ You're looking for more of a challenge

☛ Your current role is too restricting or doesn't give you enough responsibility.

☛ etc