Quick start to shadowing in Medical Sales

Well if you're serious about it, it's a necessity. If you do it properly, it's an opportunity to shine. Managers interview loads of rookies desparate to get into medical sales, having done it myself for years, often the defining thing about the good ones is that they are exceptionally well prepared and researched.

There's no better way to research the role of a Medical representative than to spend some time with one doing it, or if you take my advice, two different people in two different companies will give you a broader perspective and demonstrate how serious you are at interview.

How do you do it? So often we get a call to say " I've called a couple of peolpe and nobody will let me, will I be able to apply now?" Mmm, what am I thinking about your sales ability, your pursuasiveness, your resiliance in the face of a challenge? You will have to work at it.

Starting at the beginning, you will find most Drs surgeries will keep all the cards of local medical reps. Also a local post graduate centre in a hospital will keep them. Medical reps are busy, you may have to sell it to them, bribe them with coffee and sandwiches....didn't somebody give them a chance when they started?

Makes notes during and after the day, write them up into a report, demonstrate your work ethic. Here's a big tip, do it, don't blag, a trained interviewer will know whether you've really shadowed, or just had a cup of coffee with a rep, or even a phone call...if they're like me, they'll make you suffer for it at interview...ulitmately you won't get your job.

Good luck

The Editor.