A medical sale representative is the key link between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals and is considered an exciting and lucrative industry in which to work in. The job normally appeals to self-starters who get on well with people, work as a team and show established sales skills.

With half of pharmaceutical reps in the UK having a science degree, it proves beneficial to study within the biomedical and pharmacology qualifications. Yet in today’s competitive market, it’s proven that a science degree is becoming less essential as medical sales representatives are increasingly being demanded to know vital sales and communication skills.

Typical work activities include arranging and presenting new products to the likes of hospital medical teams, GP groups, doctors and pharmacists in the hope of selling your company’s product within the medical industry. You will also be expected to conducting regular appointments and meetings as well as maintaining positive working relationships with medical staff.

If you’re thinking below are few of the key skills which medical sales companies are looking for:

How to get in

• A science degree or at the very least some health service experience is preferred for pharmaceutical representatives, however this is no longer essential. As long as you have an interest and the ability to learn as well as excellent sales and marketing skills, you should be ok.
• Healthcare representatives on the other hand must have biomedical or science qualification as well as some relevant healthcare experience.
• You must show excellent communication skills this includes being confident when speaking to large groups of medical professionals.
• Have a strong marketing background this will be key in order for you to succeed in the competitive medical sales industry. However keep in mind that many medical sales companies also offer marketing qualifications for those who wish to improve their general sales practice.

If you think you have the skills in which to peruse a lasting career in medical sales then an excellent place to begin searching is medical recruitment agencies. One of the top agencies in the country is Advance Recruitment, who list many medical rep jobs throughout the entire UK.