What is an area you would like to improve upon if you were to join our pharmaceutical sales team?
You may be asked a variation of the same question, especially regarding a weakness. The intricate world of pharmaceutical sales requires a unique set of skills that can't be found in any other career path. Your interviewer knows that any person they consider will have skills and knowledge to improve upon once hired, so your interviewer wants to hear that you are aware of at least one thing you will need to focus on if you are hired for the job.
"I think the obvious is getting up to speed on communicating with and selling to cardiologists, oncologists, family practice physicians, and doctors from other specialties. Having sold to CEOs and other high-quality leaders over the last nine years, I feel confident in my ability to approach a physician and have direct conversations. I know that I need to learn their line of thinking and realize that bottom-line profits won't always be their biggest concern. If I'm selected to join your team, I would love the opportunity to shadow some current reps on your team in their interactions with the physicians they call on. Is this an opportunity that you give your new sales reps?"
If you are looking to break into the pharmaceutical sales field, make sure to be honest with yourself and your interviewer as you answer this question and talk about one shortcoming you will have from your first day on the job. Whether you discuss a skill you need to acquire for the job or something new you hope to learn, make sure you discuss a plan for addressing this upon hire. If you are an experienced pharmaceutical sales rep, think of this question from the perspective of the company you will be joining and the product line you will be selling.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I would like to become better at delegating. When I get really close to a project it is hard for me to let parts of it go.
Stephanie's Feedback
This is a great start. To strengthen your response, I suggest highlighting the positive qualities associated with this growth area (for example you are clearly passionate about your work and care about the outcomes, which makes it challenging to delegate.) Additionally, if you can provide a specific example of how you are working to improve in this area, that would be very helpful. I am providing an example in the "Revised Answer" box to show how this could be restated a bit.
Because I possess high attention to detail and care deeply about outcomes, I would like to enhance my own professional growth by becoming better at delegating to others. When I get really close to a project, I find that it's really hard for me to let parts of it go. One way I am working to improve in this area is _______________________.
Anonymous Answer
I would like to improve myself in handling rejection better and not taking it so personally. If I do not take rejection as a personal mark on my character, I can see the areas where I can improve in order to be successful the next time. I would learn to anticipate rejection and discuss strategies with my peers on how to overcome rejection and turn it into a driving force.
Amanda's Feedback
Unfortunately, facing rejection can be a daily part of working in sales, so it's important to share specific actions you're taking to improve in this area such as anticipating rejection, asking why in order to understand the basis, treating it as just part of the job, or talking with teammates to learn how they overcome it. This will better illustrate why you're an ideal candidate.
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