Medical salespeople must have the qualities needed with any sales position, and more. A thorough general knowledge of medical drugs and paraphernalia is very important. Of course, concerning the particular item being sold, one must know everything possible, including advantages over competition, and so much more.
Compose and rehearse your answers to these and other possible questions, and you will be well prepared for your interview.
This article provides common medical sales interview questions, with answers and tips.
After reading this article please refer to sales job interview article for many more questions and answers.
Medical Sales Representative Interview
1. General Tips
The employer is going to ask several questions regarding your medical-device technical experience, medical sales experience and about your drive and desire.
In addition, they may want to know if you can travel or relocate if necessary.
The medical sales questions can be divided into 3 types: experience/ qualifications, behavioral skills and your medical sales goals.
2. Medical Device Sales Experience
Questions related to experience and qualifications for medical sales:
- What type of medical devices/products have you sold? Surgical tools, physical contact with the patient devices or any other instruments etc.
- What is your technical knowledge on these devices?
- How do you research a product or a device?
- Have you taken any classes on Life Sciences, Biology or Chemistry?
- To which target institutes have you sold medical products?
- What is your proven record of accomplishment in medical device sales?
► Answering the above medial sales interview questions:
Review your employment history on your own or with a colleague. Before the interview, consider all of these questions. Think about your career and speak about the highlights, and any unusual situations. List them, and review them. Plan your responses based on this self-research. Additionally, bring any paperwork related to your responses. If you have sales brochures, or any reports you have created, offer copies to the interviewer.
3. Behavioral Questions
- Have you ever entered into conflict with a physician or institution regarding sales or devices? How did you handle this? Did you still make the sale?
- What creative ways have you used to meet quotas and deadlines?
- How do you feel when not making a sale or meeting a quota?
► Answer:
Speak about any resourceful approaches you have used. If you have created them, better yet. Share them with confidence, avoiding arrogance. When discussing any conflicts, be succinct and avoid assigning blame. If a peaceful compromise was reached, emphasize that. End on a positive note. When describing any feelings, if possible, underscore their roll in encouraging you to achieve ever greater goals.
You may find many behavioral interview questions and tips on answering these questions at – Sales Interview Questions article.
4. What Are Your Goals
Some goal oriented questions:
- How do you see your future in the medial industry?
- What future do you see for this medical device product?
- Do you have a career goals and objectives for 5 or 10 years from now?
Answer:
They want to know how you see your future with their company and the industry.
If you do not see a forecasted future, how can your prospective employer?
Gather information. You may consult with colleagues, or contact retired sales people or read about goal projection. Even if you have not thought that far in advance prior to this interview, you can formulate goals now. Feel free to think big, and include your hopes. Optimism is impressive and contagious! Your sales fantasies may very well cause you to sound pleasantly enthusiastic, resulting in the coveted job offer.
Sales and Marketing Job Interviews