This is What You Need to Ask to Find the Best Medical Sales Jobs
By Robyn Melhuish
 
You just completed an interview for a sales job and you think it went well. You answered all their questions and made a great impression. But the more you reflect on it, the more unanswered questions you realize you have about the position. You were so focused on impressing the interviewer, you forgot to get critical information about the job.
Interviews are a two-way street, and to find the best sales jobs, you need to ask potential employers hard-hitting questions. Before the interview, prepare a list of questions -- even if you’re nervous, you’ll be ready to talk about the important details. Here are few key questions to get you started:
What does the compensation look like?
Wanting to know what you will earn in a new job is understandable, but even in the best sales jobs, talking about money is uncomfortable. Yet, 66 percent of medical sales professionals who responded to the 2016 Best Places to Work in Medical Sales survey rated competitive compensation as the most important value of a potential employer.
In the interview, don’t ask about exact base pay and commission numbers, unless the employer brings it up. But you can still get a sense of what your compensation would be like with some strategic questions. Ask how top performers are rewarded to get a sense of the commission structure, bonuses, and other perks. In addition, ask about the ramp-up period for new sales reps. How long will training take and how soon can you expect to start earning commission?
Is the product line strong?
The products you sell are one of the most important parts of a position, and the best sales jobs will allow you to work with strong products that you’re interested in. That’s why 52 percent of respondents of the 2016 Best Places to Work in Medical Sales survey said a strong product line is the most important factor when evaluating top medical sales companies.
Before the interview, do your research to get a good understanding of the company’s product line. Then in the interview, ask more specific questions -- which products will you be working with? And what are the challenges of selling them? The more product knowledge you demonstrate, the better impression you’ll make on the interviewer, allowing you to have deeper conversations about them.
You can also ask about a specific industry challenge, event, or issue that relates to the products and how the company plans to attack it. Ask about future trends and technology, and how the company is planning to innovate. Although they may not give specific details, talking about trends shows your industry knowledge and gives a greater insight on where the company is headed.
What about work-life balance?
Once you know what working with the products is like, redirect your focus to what it is like to work in the office. How much pressure is put on the sales team? Are long hours the norm?
You want a challenging job, but you also want a healthy balance between your professional and personal life. After all, 62 percent of medical sales professionals said it was one of the most important values of a potential employer. The best sales jobs will fit both your professional goals and your lifestyle.
Ask about what a typical work week looks like and which qualities are most important to be successful in the company. If the interviewer paints a picture of a nonstop working culture, you may want to reconsider taking the job, especially if you’re looking for more balance.
How will this advance my career?
Before you take a sales job, you want to know where it’s going. Will you grow and move up with time? Or will you stand still?
The best sales jobs will offer opportunities to develop and move forward on your career path, and to understand what the career path looks like, you need a real life example. If the interviewer is a sales manager or similar industry leader, and not an HR representative, ask them about their own journey with the company. What position did they start in, and how did they climb the ladder to get where they are now? 
Hearing your potential manager discuss their experience will not only give you an idea of the direction your career could take with the company, but it will also give a you a better sense of company values, culture, and what it will take to be successful in the position. 
The interview is not only a time to impress a potential employer. It gives you a chance to evaluate companies and positions so you can choose the best one for your sales career. Come to the interview prepared with some deeper questions to determine which sales jobs are really the best for you.
What’s the most important thing to you when evaluating a sales job? Let us know in the comments!
 
Robyn Melhuish is the Communications Manager at MedReps.com, a job board which gives members access to the most sought after medical sales jobs and pharmaceutical sales jobs on the Web. Connect with Robyn and MedReps.com on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.