Here’s Part Three of the PharmBoard.com 5-Day MiniCourse designed to get you off to a great start on your search for a job as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative.

ABSTRACT

—-> In Day 2 of the 5-Day Minicourse, I told you that the job search is sales and the product is you. Remember? Well, one of the most important parts of any sales process is defining the customer. After all, you can’t sell a product if you don’t have anyone to sell it to. Networking can be complicated. I’ll do my best to keep it simple!

PART THREE: EXPANDING YOUR NETWORK

I was just kidding about networking being complicated. Really, it’s not! I just said that to get rid of those lazy bones out there who don’t want to work as hard as you do to get this job.

Glad to see YOU’RE still here!

I’m gonna give you a bit of a head start in the networking game so you can, as promised, expand your network. Do these 5 things:

1. Make a list of everyone in your family you’ve talked to in the last 6 months.

2. Write down 20 people that you know from a civic organization, church, club, or team.

3. Make a list of your 10 closest friends.

** DO NOT PUT THE SAME NAME ON MORE THAN ONE LIST **

4. Review Day 1 of the 5-Day Minicourse and build an elevator speech (*see http://pharmboard.com/?p=20 *)
designed to tell your friends and family your intention to get a job in pharma sales.

5. Ask them if they (a)know anyone who is in the field and/or (b)would keep their eyes and ears open for related
information and opportunities.

The process sounds simple but many people leave out steps #4 and #5. They are critical to a successful netowrking campaign. Step #4 helps to teach you to build a consistent sales message (and the consistency will allow you to be efficient in your networking because you won’t have to wonder what you told who and when)!

Take your networking to the next level by taking notes on the calls you make on your friends and family. Make note of
(a)objections and concerns (b)suggestions they make (c)people they know.

The linchpin of a good networking campaign is coming on Day 4! Do steps 1-3 today and get ready to go for the gold tomorrow!

“Networking is not a numbers game. The idea is not to see how many people you can meet; the idea is to compile a list of people you can count on.” - Harvey Mackay

Here’s to building your list!

If you find this site helpful, please send a link to your career services department so your fellow alumni know about PharmBoard too! I've already written the message for you. :)