The Interview
The Interview by Frank Melfa
Be on Time!
The first thing I’ll say about interviewing for a pharmaceutical sales job, or for any job, is to be on time. As far as I’m concerned, there is no excuse for being late. About thirty to forty percent of candidates are either late for interviews or don’t show up at all. I would never offer a job to anyone who is late for an interview. I find people’s behavior during the interview process to be consistent with what they do during the job. If a candidate is late for an interview, then they will usually be late to meetings and field rides with their managers. Also, once you have confirmed the interview location, do not ask your potential manager or interviewer for directions! Once again this is a sign of resourcefulness. Either call the hotel or look up the location and directions yourself.
Arrive an hour early. Sit in your car, drink coffee, review your notes, and practice what you want to say during the interview. This time cushion also allows room for possible traffic delays, a flat tire, or even getting lost, all excuses that I have heard and never accept.
To avoid getting lost and being late, plan ahead by driving or taking public transportation to the interview location a day or two before the interview. This shows foresight and good planning skills. Many interviewers break the ice by asking about the drive to the interview locations. In this case, an icebreaker question can turn out to be an interview question that benefits you, because you get to show your potential manager that you are smart enough to plan ahead. What most of you don’t realize is the interview starts as soon as you walk through the door.
Most interviews take place in hotels. After sipping coffee and reviewing your notes in your car, plan to walk through the lobby doors about fifteen minutes before the interview. If you want to make a good impression, showing the interviewer that you had the foresight to arrive an hour early, you can always mention it during the interview, regardless of whether the interviewer asks or not. You would already be selling yourself.
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A very well written and simple to understand article! Also, there are important points that everyone should read.
Great insight. Simple and very true. It starts with first impression and then builds from there!
I agree PharmaWizzard! I think getting a first impression is very important and then expand on it.
Wow! What an insightful article. This will prove helpful in my next interview. I am trying to break into pharmaceutical sales and have not yet been successful. These pointers will truly help out.
Thank you!!!!
The article sounds right on the money except skipping the part of closing the interviewer. In sales especially pharma, you have to close the interviewer at the end… or I guarantee the next candidate will and you will not get the job.
Excellent tips that I am glad I found out about before today’s interview. I feel confident that I am going to move on to the next stage.
If you have five years of sales, is it okay to only bring sales numbers for the past two years?
I just had my 1st Pharma interview yesterday…
This article boadenened my perspective and offered examples of creative ideas I had not previously thought of! Thanks so much for sharing!
thank you for posting your interview tips. Some of the information I have never heard of, for instance the brag book. Very helpful, thanks.
Your advice on the interview process was helpful. I feel like I have some insight on what to expect during the interview.