Do you need a certification to become a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep?

Question

In addition to a degree do you need to have a certification in Pharmaceutical Sales too? I see a lot of websites online that say you need it or it can help you, I just want to make sure its not a scam. Any help would be great. Thanks

Answer 1

May be this site can help you

http://www.sgpak.com

Answer 2

No.  There is no certification beyond a college degree and sales experience that will get you a pharma sales job.  Get good experience with outside sales, then go in an nail the interview and you will get a shot.

Good luck!

Answer 3

In all my years dealing with Pharmaceutical Sales Reps, I never met one that had a certification in Pharmaceutical Sales. To be exact I met very few that knew very much about the chemistry or biology of the products they sold. Most of the Pharmaceutical Sales Reps that sold implants were males, most of the pharmaceutical Sales Reps that sold pills, creams, sprays, and etc. were females. What the companies are looking for is someone that can Sale, everything else is minor, so anything you can show in the form of prior sales success will get you the door.

I know this sounds prejudice, but the simple fact is that most of the jobs go to s**y good looking young women.

The certification is probably a way to scam you out of your money.

I wish you the best.

Answer 4

As a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative for many years now, I have yet to meet a fellow rep with a certification of the sort you talk about.  No, it is not required and obviously not necessary.

To echo one of the responses here, it is true that this is a SALES job, therefore it is absolutely necessary that one possess the ability and skills to SELL.  Pharmaceutical sales is about detailing the health care provider about the features and benefits of the pharmaceutical product and how it can help him/her help his/her patient feel better and do well.  Having good looks certainly helps because, in sales, who wants to listen to and buy from one with an unsightly appearance?  In this industry, good looks helps get one's foot in the door and in front of the prescriber, BUT it is what one says and how he/she says it that makes/or breaks the sale!

Good luck!

Answer 5

no but you need a college degree.