Pharmaceutical Sales Job Interview: What Failures Have Taught Me?

By Nezrul Hisyam Abdul Ghani

I admit that it is not all bright and shiny for me when attending pharmaceutical sales job interviews. Like what Forrest Gump said in the movie, "Life is like a box of chocolate. You will never know what you will get inside." That is exactly what each interview is for me; I can never tell what lies ahead of me.

Even so, that makes every session exciting.

When I did not know what is coming, I will make sure I am fully prepared before I attend any session. For some, I did prepare enough while I lack in certain aspect in others. What important for me is not to look back in regret but to take it as a valuable lesson.

I can use it to better prepare for future interview.

Here are some of the lessons that failures have taught me:

Do More Than Expected

I recalled an interview I had with this particular sales manager for a sales executive post promoting a product made for osteoporosis market. What interesting is, prior to that second interview, I was told by the previous interviewer that I need to base my answer on the material; a brochure, given to me earlier.

And I did exactly that during the successive interview. I answer every objection with the fact I got from the brochure.

At the end of the session, my interviewer had this to say, "I expect more from you."

While the first session took me close to three hours, the second session last less than 40 minutes. In the end, I did not get the job but I bring home more valuable lesson: never take the preparation on face value. To really stand out from the rest, make sure you have more to offer.

Know When To Shut Up

I have the experience of an area sales manager during my previous employment. I thought if I put that down in my resume, it going to make me look superior compared to average sales rep so I did that.

And guess what?

That is the biggest blunder that I have committed. It kills more chance than any other factor that I know. I did not 'assume' it is because I test it against another resume which I did not put that in and I land on more calls from potential employers.

I understand that now and the reason I believe that happen is because such high standard creates certain impression which many potential employers want to avoid, especially, when it comes to basic salary expectation. In fact, I believe in all honesty that many companies are trying to pay low upfront but wanting high output nonetheless.

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