B2B Sales with Bio Degree

[Anonymous]

I am trying to get into med device sales, but have no prior b2b sales experience. Therefore, I am applying to companies such as ADP, Quest Diagnostics, Xerox, DHL, etc. and get first-round interviews but never make it any further.

In each interview they see that I have a B.Science in Biology and mention that the position doesn't have anything to do with biology. To me, it sometimes feels like these hiring managers know that, down the road, I want to get into pharma or med device or some sort of medical sales and am just using this as a stepping stone. But don't they realize even college business and communication majors use these jobs as stepping stones because of the good sales training.

What can I say in defense of my Biology degree to get companies like this to hire me?

It probably doesn't help that my last job was in research in a large hospital either - a job most people out of college take prior to getting into med school.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

What you need to do is to start w/ Xerox agency in your area. Go to www.indeed.com and search "Xerox Sales" and start w/ that. They don't pay much but it is a very good stepping stone for you.

[Anonymous]

I have a Biology BS and got in. I would suggest Xerox Corp, NOT an agency. You get paid crap and will get treated like it to. Direct reps HATE the agencies and how they drag the Xerox name thru the mud.

[Anonymous]

. But don't they realize even college business and communication majors use these jobs as stepping stones because of the good sales training.

Theres your difference - best fit. A college grad with a BBA likely will have sales/marketing background, maybe with internships. While your experience in hospital is good, does it translate into sales?

If you have any relationships with physicians, especially surgeons, work at keeping them if you want to get into medical sales - relationships are real leverage in getting a job.

I can't believe if you keep interviewing for office equip sales you wont get hired. A lot of it is simply getting good at interviewing for the job. There is massive turnover in the industry, eventually there is a spot available for anyone that wants it.

I will say that pharma is a better fit for bio grads. Medical device wont care about your bio degree - actually they prefer BA with sales history. Just my opinion, and I have sold in office equipment, pharma, and med device industries.

[Anonymous]

Theres your difference - best fit. A college grad with a BBA likely will have sales/marketing background, maybe with internships. While your experience in hospital is good, does it translate into sales?

If you have any relationships with physicians, especially surgeons, work at keeping them if you want to get into medical sales - relationships are real leverage in getting a job.

I can't believe if you keep interviewing for office equip sales you wont get hired. A lot of it is simply getting good at interviewing for the job. There is massive turnover in the industry, eventually there is a spot available for anyone that wants it.

I will say that pharma is a better fit for bio grads. Medical device wont care about your bio degree - actually they prefer BA with sales history. Just my opinion, and I have sold in office equipment, pharma, and med device industries.

I would agree with OP. I have interviewed with Stryker and made it to the last round of interviews to realize thatni wasn't really sure if j wanted to work with that company. The secret is to be energetic and confident in them interviews. I ran my own office supply branch and did all the interviews. I look for good personalities where I coul see myself wanting to work with that person. Also do your
Research on the company and ask very intuitive questions like you have already placed yourself in the job and are trying to separate yourself from the other competition. That shows that you want to make an immediate impact. Hiring managers like that. Tell them you come from a blue collar background and realized you liked business much more than biology but realized this too late. Rather than having to stay in college for additional years, you decided to finish your degree so you had one, but knew eventually sales would be your calling. Good luck.