In 1998, I wrote Insight into a Career in Pharmaceutical Sales, after 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry. 20 of those years were spent in DM and RD roles, hiring candidates for 100's of positions.
I knew that so many candidates, as myself, a nurse trying to enter the industry, needed some insight on how to interview in this industry.
My book was the first ever written for the pharmaceutical industry. Never would I have imagined not only the sales, but more importantly, the success stories and personal thank you notes that brought so much reward, knowing that I actually assisted someone with such an important goal in our lives, our career.
Here are some of the resources I list in the book I want to share with many of you. Whether in the industry or interviewing to enter, these are all free resources (some may charge for extra information).
First, I must mention Corey Naham, which as a Hospital Representative back in 1999, created one of the most complete websites of information there is. No charge, no gimmicks, just a professional that wanted to share vital information for those in the industry and those seeking entry to the industry. Corey had the only website of its kind in 1999, quite an accomplishment. One could spend thousands to subscribe to such a huge compendium of information today, but Corey keeps it current every day for over 11 years now. Great job Corey!
www.coreynaham.com you can spend hours here, and learn by every visit!
www.clinicaltrials.gov fantastic to see the research trails that are actually taking place currently
www.pharmrep.com Pharmaceutical Representative Magazine published 10-12 times a year
www.pinksheet.com Pharmaceutical industry information, a standard in every home office in the industry, though subscription rates are too high for the candidate, great information is available at various areas on their site
www.healthnewsdaily.com A solid site, try the free trial
www.pharmexec.com News features, for most positions in the industry
www.pharmweb.net Full website with directory, excellently done
www.biotechnologyheathcare.com
www.healthleadersmedia.com
www.pharmtech.com
www.phrma.org Pharmaceutical and Research and Manufacturers America, the industry’s official association or "voice". A must visit for every candidate, that is a great complimentary source of many
references and information in my book
www.eyeforpharma.com Global pharmaceutical industry insight
www.fcg.com Industry news, again on more on a global view
www.fiercehealthcare.com A good site for candidate, current industry personal, seeking daily delivery of pharmaceutical breaking industry news. Some hype to gain your click, but one has to sell.
www.medzilla.com The top site of pharmaceutical sales openings for free. Again, one of the original sites dating back over a decade.
Note: Neither pharmaceuticalsales.com nor the author has any contractual agreements with any of the above listed website’s or resources. In addition there are no financial agreements with any pharmaceutical related business consultants, search firms, resume writing consultants, etc. in any manner. Finally, there are no link exchanges provided on the pharmaceuticalsales.com website.
Finally: Never believe that you must be "Certified" by any organization that has been created to obtain a job in pharmaceutical sales. These came to life about 2-3 years after publishing view editions of my book, by telling candidates that this is what they needed to help secure that position in the pharmaceutical industry. This is not true, and taking advantage of someone for three to five hundred dollars really is poor. Please read any job ads and see if they ever mention being "Certified" as a requirement. If you want education, take a course towards your MBA or Masters Degree. These type of created organizations, some who even violated my own copyright bring a bad name as some other websites that are a area for the so called representatives to complain about their employer, complain about employee's, write there actual names, etc. Remember, you never are anonymous on the Internet. If your not going to say it within your HR department, surely do not write in the public domain. This are not monitored and please put yourself above any such involvement. I could never write something about my employer, who has given me a career, health insurance and a comfortable life for my family. Even worse, I could never complain about any worker in the public domain. Never, ever make this mistake as so many do.
As mentioned before, the remaining copies of the 10th Anniversary Edition of Insight into a Career in Pharmaceutical Sales is be sold for $9.99, This is $50.00 off! This book will have you in the top 1% of candidates interviewing and back in the top 1% if your changing positions are interviewing for a promotion. Visit pharmaceuticalsales.com and grab one of these final copies before they are all gone. Also included is two audio CD's with over 125 questions and suggested replies for you to practice for the interviews for the rest of your career. The next edition will not be released for 18 months; fall of 2011, this edition is very current and is at near cost of just printing (in the U.S.A.).
Remember, there are over 1000 jobs out there right now, on February 2, 2010. One of them is yours if you really want it!
Best of Success,
Anne Clayton
