As an independent or outside sales person for the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, it’s up to you to find products to sell. A biotech headhunter or a pharmaceutical headhunter can help you further your career and your bank account. Pharmaceutical recruiting services look at your resume, sales record and experience. Biotech recruiters narrow the field from pharmaceutical recruiting to biotech recruiting, which is more specialized.
Independent pharmaceutical representatives have the opportunity to add more biotech products, pharmaceutical products and medical devices to their existing line. An independent rep can sell various products to the same institution because they aren’t brand loyal. Most independent reps only sell one product per line. For example, a rep might sell only one brand of insulin or syringes in spite of the fact that many manufacturers may make them. But at the same time, the independent rep may also sell wound care supplies for diabetics from a totally different company. When stating your experience in pharmaceutical employment, a pharmaceutical recruiter will look for areas you specialize in, such as diabetics or physical therapy devices.
To increase your sales potential as an independent representative:
- Send your updated resume to biotech recruiters and pharmaceutical recruiters;
- Search through pharmaceutical job boards that are also available to pharmaceutical recruiters; and
- Look up biotech recruiters in your state and biotech companies.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Keep your resume up to date
There is nothing more informative to a pharmaceutical recruiter than an updated resume. In pharmaceutical recruiting, product lines that you carry and your sales success tells them more about your ability than anything. Many pharmaceutical recruiting services regularly browse through resumes and portfolios on job sites.
I recommend: Build a
portfolio and post your resume online to increase your company's visibility. You can also join the Rx Career Center to update and post a
resume.
Search job boards for independent pharmaceutical reps wanted
Pharmaceutical and biotech job boards offer outside sales opportunities and independent representative positions. You can search through job boards by state, by company name or by product name. Job boards also offer help with resumes, continuing education and new products available.
I recommend: Checking the independent sales rep boards at Rx Career Center for updated
opportunities and looking
online for health care rep jobs are both great ways to improve your job search results.
Study biotech products you can add to your line
Sales of biotech products and pharmaceuticals are constantly changing, based on new products and product updates. As an independent sales rep., it's your job to know your products and companies. Search through the biotech companies for a full listing and link to the official website where you can learn more about the biotech products.
I recommend: Searching by
company name for biotech products available to add to your product line and searching by
state for biotech and biomedical companies, are both valid options for studying biotech products.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Employment recruiters for pharmaceuticals salespeople can help you develop your client list by finding you companies that need help purchasing pharmaceutical items, as can a pharmaceutical sales headhunter. However, make sure to let them know you are looking for freelance opportunities to grow your business.
The official source of Pharmaceutical Recruiting Services is
the Pharmaceutical Recruiting Services page at Business.com