How to Answer: Let's say you have a lunch with a doctor scheduled and you receive a call from a higher profile doctor that wants you to do a lunch at his office on the same day. How would you handle this situation?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Pharmaceutical Sales job interview.
8. Let's say you have a lunch with a doctor scheduled and you receive a call from a higher profile doctor that wants you to do a lunch at his office on the same day. How would you handle this situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
One harsh reality of the work of a pharmaceutical sales rep is that coordinating face-to-face time with physicians can be very difficult. In a hypothetical situation like this, your interviewer will expect you to weigh all options when deciding how to proceed. In most scenarios like this, they'll want to hear that you will stick to your commitment and do what is necessary to accommodate the other physician as soon as possible.
Written by Samantha Brown on November 28th, 2023
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer that you'll have to assess the entire situation and take all factors into consideration. For example, in the case you just had lunch last week and closed a sale with the originally scheduled doctor and today was simply a follow-up that could be accomplished later in the day, you wouldn't hesitate to take the necessary steps to cancel that lunch and work in meeting with the higher profile physician. But in the end, you'll want to ensure your interviewer understands that you would typically stick with your first commitment and then do what is necessary to ensure you meet with the high-profile physicians as soon as possible on their schedule.
Written by Samantha Brown on November 28th, 2023
Answer Example
"After a quick evaluation of the terms of my initially scheduled lunch, I would likely let the other physician's office know that I had unbreakable commitments that day but would love to get something on our schedules as soon as possible. I would remain open to traveling and making the meeting work because it is a big client. If they were close in proximity, I wouldn't hesitate to let the physician know that I could swing by later in the day to meet face-to-face and that I'd be happy to bring coffee for us as well."
Written by Samantha Brown on November 28th, 2023
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