Thank you!

Joshua, because I'm asked about opportunities so often, I wrote this article, "Breaking Into the Medical Device Industry" at http://medgroup.biz/breakingin.

Also visit http://linkd.in/MDG-resources-for-transition for helpful resources including a list of recruiters at http://medgroup.biz/MedDevRecruiters.

Good luck!

Hi Joshua. When I switched careers from working as a dietitian to healthcare sales, I first worked for a year as a contract salesperson. It was a way to dip my toe into the industry to see if I liked it and if I would be successful. Something to consider.

Anatomy. Physiology. Surgical Techniques. Some basics to learn

Johnson & Johnson run an amazing graduate scheme, you should check it out

Alexandre NAUD Hello Joshua. What is interesting in the Medical Devices industry is that you always have 2 "customers" to take into consideration: the buyer and the user. And the user is a patient, that could be you one day, or some one you care a lot for. I think it makes a difference compare to other jobs. But this is one of the great point of such a job. So making sure the buyer is happy is important but making sure the user will get the best from the product is even more important.

What’s your why? Why do you think you will be successful in a sales position within the medical field? How important is job satisfaction and culture to you? What are your goals by beginning a career in the medical sales industry?Anyone can say help people and make money. I️ would encourage you to understand what your getting into. I worked in the industry for a few years and life has been great outside that industry. However, that’s my opinion .

Good luck

David LeVine It's a tough road breaking into a new field. Not sure if this style works for you but while running a prior company, three times I had someone show up without an appointment asking for a few minutes with the CEO. Two were fresh out of school, one having struck out so often he wanted to work for free to gain experience and a sellable resume. The third a salesperson looking to switch industries. I hired all three of them, insisting on paying the second a salary, and the third commission only. Although the first one was as aggressive as that first day, continually asking for raises, three of the best hiring decisions I've made. Best of luck, David

Tough market right now with the reimbursement cuts.

Rafael Simões de Oliveira First and foremost, strong ethical principles.

Alexander Guizzotti Delete all your other jobs except for military. Truth, job hoppers get stone walled in medicine.

A job hopper is considered 1-2 years. You have 4 positions spanning 6 months each. Delete that from your history and use your 4 years in the military, plus your B.B.S. to support your claim.

Start donating a few hours a week inside a local hospital. Understand the different markets you want to work in

Medical devices
OR
Medical sales
Medical Disposables
Pharmacy
Disposables
Capital equipment
Information systems in EMR


That is just a basic outline

Talk to recruiters and forecast your goal of where and when you want to start being looked at.


Good luck -

I completely disagree with the idea of deleting any jobs from your resume. You need to have a high level of integrity in this business so don’t hide anything to avoid looking job hoppy. If anything, a good Regional Sales Manager will want to hear your ability to tell a story about your career, essentially selling him or her on why you would be a valuable asset to their team.

I️ would connect with other reps in fields that you are interested in (Ortho, Neuro-Spine, Ortho Spine, Interventional Cardiology, etc.). Local reps generally have a better pulse on what jobs are actually open, or coming up in your area. Reach out to them, build a relationship with them, and leverage that relationship into job opportunities.

Consider that you will be on the road often and miss much... Benefits vs Sacrifices. It's not for everyone! Good luck in what ever you decide!

Digital impression (dental field)

Medical sales is like marriage/lottery, you choose the "best one" hoping for the best. All I can say is that you will definitely learn.

Josh Mikulich Josh I’d be happy to share my experiences and advice on a call. Best of luck and thank you for your service to our Country!

You are looking to break into a competitive field within a competitive field. Looking at your profile, I would recommend gaining professional experience within the medical field in general, whether that is working for/shadowing/interning for a physician in your specialty of interest, as a start. Gain an understanding of the basics, mentioned above. And network, also mentioned above. Really consider why you want this position and be able to make a compelling statement. Know who your audience will be and make sure you have the knowledge and experience to hold meaningful conversations. Lastly, speak to a solid recruiter to determine where you stand as a candidate and how to improve that standing. Wishing you the best!!

Hi Joshua,
Firstly, I would say get into devices. Consumables and capital sales are tough and I think less rewarding. When you get to the point where a surgeon is ringing you to consult with you about what they should do with a patient, it’s a rush (for me anyway). I love being a part of the team helping patients.
I would advise trying to meet a rep in the area you're considering and shadow them for a week to see what they do and the challenges they face on a daily basis. Most people don’t see all the crap we have to put up with to get those implants in a patient.
Anatomy and physiology is a good start, but most companies will have a training program to get you up to speed. It will be up to you how far you take your training and what sort of rep you want to be.
I can only talk about my experience, but I love spine. If you're a good rep, the money will come with a bit of hard work. It’s not for everyone, the rep life can be quite consuming (more so in the US than here in Europe).

Pharmaceutical sales are evolving and some people I have spoken think it's very volatile. I have several friends in devices. Some do spine implants and do very well. Another friend went to a special school to get trained to sell pacemakers. He now works for Boston scientific. Another route is Healthcare IT. Companies providing solutions to better understand patient data and improve patient are a huge growing market.

Yakov Elmalah Dear Joshua
First be your self, be strong,
The way you ask for help you can be the sharpest
• Product sales specialist
• Confidence
Always see your name of your job organization
Priority number one ,you do all for this name not for the Board of Directors
Or your direct manager .than your representation will be Persuasive and successful, so the other party will accept everything you said, and you will get the P.O.
Good luck.

Look into Medical Sales College. DM me if you have any questions about it.

Research the company you want to work for. Find a good company with great product s and great people, the rest is up to you then. If you're having trouble breaking into the industry, take a maternity leave role, if you're good, they'll find something for you to keep you. Good luck!!

Yakov Elmalah Dear Joshua
First be your self, be strong,
The way you ask for help you can be the sharpest
• Product sales specialist
• Confidence
Always see your name of your job organization
Priority number one ,you do all for this name not for the Board of Directors
Or your direct manager .than your representation will be Persuasive and successful, so the other party will accept everything you said, and you will get the P/O.
Good luck.

That's the group I love. Thanks for helping out a fellow member.

Collin Callahan Get a B2B Sales territory and crush your number for 2-3 years. Save every email/acknowledgment/award you Get and keep it in a binder. Recruiters will be clamoring to put you in as a candidate.

Be weary of anyone who tries to sell you on a medical sales college or some sort of certification. Good companies train their new hires.

This is fantastic! I just joined the group and already found answers to the question I haven't even asked yet! Also looking at entering medical sales. It is scary for me, though. It will be a huge career change and I am not so young anymore. :)

Avoid corruption

Osama Bannout Always be prepared to go inside the OR so wear suitable clothes

Accept urgent calls that the solution is very simple

Be flexible with your time

Don't talk bad about the competitors

Just be friendly with everyone as anyone might ruin your deal

Dean Gauf Know your product, inside and out. Also know all the people behind the product, from manufacturing and quality through top management. Train on the product and gain actual experience in it's uses.
In depth research on the competition is important. last, be the face of your product and company and believe in yourself. be confident with all that knowledge.
Your best go to resource that you absolutely must get to know are the other pros doing the same in different sales regions.
Knowledge is strength.

Rafael Simões de Oliveira Strong ethical principles

Amazing industry!

Joshua Johnson I think there is a wealth of good advice in these comments. The larger companies that have training programs would be one way to start. The Sales Directors I recruit for are often open to a variety of experiences (devices, capital equipment, disposables, etc.)

What all of them like most? Demonstrated track record of success.

Chose some disposable items at reasonable price, if you have some connection in health sector,try to approve by them, or do some sort of home health care needs in sector of online subscription way. It's need not enough experience to start.

I'm in a similar position, starting a new role in sales for Life Sciences. What’s the best way to get appointments?