Master 30 Medical Device Sales interview questions covering clinical knowledge, consultative selling, and OR experience.
Question 3 of 30
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Jenna has 6 years of in-house and agency recruiting experience for roles in the consumer packaged goods and adult beverage industries.
The interviewer wants to hear that you have the poise to handle this specific, high-stress situation. During surgeries, all tensions are high. You are on hand to be the subject-matter expert for the new device and must be able to advise the surgeon from a distance while maintaining a calm demeanor yourself and encouraging those around you to remain calm.
Jenna has 6 years of in-house and agency recruiting experience for roles in the consumer packaged goods and adult beverage industries.
While you are the subject matter expert on your product, it is important to remember that the surgeon is the ringleader in the operating room. Make sure that your answer acknowledges this and shows you will provide the respect that is due!
If you have never been in the operating room to draw on a past experience, you will likely have similar relevant experiences from overcoming obstacles or solving problems with difficult customers. Use those experiences to show that you understand the skill these situations require!
Jenna has 6 years of in-house and agency recruiting experience for roles in the consumer packaged goods and adult beverage industries.
Avoid responding in a manner that makes this situation sound trivial. Although common, this is a high-stress situation in which someone's health depends on how you handle it. It's very important that the interviewer knows that you understand this responsibility and will shoulder it well.
Jenna has 6 years of in-house and agency recruiting experience for roles in the consumer packaged goods and adult beverage industries.
"I would ensure I remained calm and spoke slowly and clearly. I'd reiterate to the surgeon where I understood they were based on the progress they had stated and I had seen to ensure we were aligned on what had been accomplished. From there, I would work to advise on best practices based on similar techniques for insertion or application depending on the product. I would break it down into as many steps as possible to slow down the process and remove as much margin for error as possible."

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Anonymous Answer
1. Remain calm, speak clearly and concisely
2. Reiterate the progress being made
3. Break the steps down into smaller steps to make them feasible
It's important to simplify the process and speed to reduce frustration.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! It sounds like you know exactly what to do in this scenario. Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully assisted a frustrated physician? This will further strengthen your answer.
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Written by Jenna Cohen
30 Questions & Answers • Medical Device Sales
By Jenna
By Jenna