Medical sales jobs and career development

Well it shouldn't mean you have to call a halt to your career. However you do have to be careful when moving jobs as there are many more big pits to fall into than there have been in recent years before the current trends. Companies have been restructuring every month, so how do you avoid a move which results in you being a 'last in first out' casualty.

When considering the medical sales jobs available the first thing you need to do is determine exactly why you are moving and as a result what are your desired criteria for a new job. As an optimistic sales person, it's very easy to get carried away in the moment at interview with a given company and not rationally assess the role for what it is. If you create a 'shopping list' of what you want from a new job this will help you approach each opportunity in a rational not an emotional way.

The pharmaceutical industry has changed constantly over the last 2 years, so has the NHS and the economy is in a mess, is this the right time to be looking at new medical sales jobs?

Do your homework on the company before your interview. Companies that are about to buy, sell or restructure will typically want to keep this a secret until the 11th hour, so simply asking them the question will not get an accurate answer. Do your research on the internet. If deals are brewing, it is likely you will find activity on press releases and news items which may suggest something is afoot. Joining a company just before a restructure may not be the best move!

Take a good look at the recruiting manager. Not only at interview, try and find people who know him, have worked with him and ask then what he's like. In medical sales, simply contact other reps in the region who work for him and pick their brains, If he's a closet axe murderer you'll soon get the picture. Not that managers should dictate where you go as they do come an go. But a good manager does make a difference when it comes to pay reviews, career development and promotion opportunities.

Consider other avenues before you leap. you may love medical sales in the pharma sector, but have you considered other medical sales jobs such as healthcare sales, or medical equipment jobs, or even sales outside of the industry. Even if you end up in the same sort of role, this type of research can strengthen your conviction that you are choosing the right role. Most medical sales jobs boards will have descriptions of alternative medical sales roles to give you an insight.

Times are tough at the moment, and many have made career moves at the wrong time ending up out of work. Don't let the markets put you off developing your career, just take you time and give it the right thought and there are still excellent career opportunities out there.