Crafting a CV for medical sales roles often involves striking the right balance between demonstrating in-depth product knowledge and showcasing your interpersonal skills. Our comprehensive guide offers tailored advice and examples to help you articulate your expertise effectively, ensuring your application stands out to potential employers.
- Answer job requirements with your medical sales CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your medical sales CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
Structuring and formatting your medical sales CV for an excellent first impression
The experts' best advice regarding your CV format is to keep it simple and concise. Recruiters assessing your CV are foremost looking out for candidates who match their ideal job profile. Your white space, borders, and margins. You may still be wondering which format you need to export your CV in. We recommend using the PDF one, as, upon being uploaded, it never alters your information or CV design. Before we move on to the actual content of your medical sales CV, we'd like to remind you about the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS). The ATS is a software that is sometimes used to initially assess your profile. Here's what you need to keep in mind about the ATS:- All serif and sans-serif fonts (e.g. Rubik, Volkhov, Exo 2 etc.) are ATS-friendly;
- Many candidates invest in Arial and Times New Roman, so avoid these fonts if you want your application to stand out;
- Both single and double column CVs can be read by the ATS, so it's entirely up to you to select your CV design.
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Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a medical sales CV
- Professional Summary highlights your sales expertise, providing a snapshot of your abilities and achievements specific to medical sales.
- Work Experience details your history in medical sales, demonstrating your track record and experience with healthcare clients.
- Key Sales Achievements showcases quantifiable successes such as revenue growth and deal closures, proving your contribution to past employers.
- Medical Product Knowledge emphasises your familiarity with medical devices or pharmaceuticals, crucial for a medical sales role.
- Education and Training lists your relevant degrees and sales certifications, establishing your professional and academic foundation in the field.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight any previous sales experience with a focus on achievements, such as meeting or exceeding sales targets, to demonstrate a track record of sales success relevant to medical sales.
- Include any familiarity with medical terminology, procedures, and regulations to showcase an ability to quickly learn and sell medical products effectively.
- Detail your ability to build and maintain strong relationships with healthcare professionals, which is crucial for gaining trust and achieving sales in the medical industry.
- Outline your understanding of the NHS structure or private healthcare systems, as well as any experience navigating these systems to illustrate your industry-specific knowledge.
- Emphasise any training or certifications related to medical sales or healthcare, such as courses in pharmacology or medical device sales, to support your expertise and commitment to the field.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning medical sales CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for medical sales:
- Medical Device Sales Manager | 10+ Years | Orthopaedics Specialist | Strategic Market Growth
- Pharmaceutical Sales Consultant | Cardiology & Diabetes Expertise | BSc, Life Sciences | Relationship Building Pro
- Territory Sales Representative | Surgical Equipment | 5 Years' Experience | Client Retention & Acquisition
- Clinical Sales Professional | Radiology & Imaging Solutions | Key Account Management | MHRA Knowledge
- Junior Medical Sales Executive | Biotechnology Graduate | Entry-Level | Enthusiastic Relationship Builder
- Senior Medical Sales Strategist | 15-Year Track Record | Oncology & Haematology | MBA-Healthcare Management
Catching recruiters' attention with your medical sales CV summary or objective
Located closer to the top of your CV, both the summary and objective are no more than five sentences long and serve as an introduction to your experience. What is more, you could use either to entice recruiters to read on. Select the:
- Summary, if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience. Feature your most impressive accomplishments and up to three skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for;
- Objective, if you're just starting your career off. Provide your career goals and answer how you see the role you are applying for will match your professional growth.
Judging which one you need to add to your medical sales CV may at times seem difficult. That’s why you need to check out how professionals, with similar to your experience, have written their summary or objective, in the examples below:
CV summaries for a medical sales job:
- Seasoned Medical Sales Professional with over 12 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector, adept at negotiating contracts, and presenting complex clinical data to healthcare professionals. Successfully launched three blockbuster drugs into international markets, resulting in a 150% increase in regional sales revenues over a five-year period.
- Dedicated Medical Device Sales Specialist with a proven track record of exceeding quotas by cultivating strategic relationships with key decision-makers. Expert in demonstrating product value within surgical suites and medical practices. Increased territory sales by 200% through effective pipeline management and customer education over three years.
- Experienced Account Manager transitioning to the medical sales industry, bringing a comprehensive background in corporate sales strategies and an enthusiastic approach to learning technical medical product knowledge. Achieved a 45% growth in client base through innovative marketing campaigns and personalized client relationships in the SaaS industry.
- Dynamic marketing professional aspiring to integrate five years of comprehensive digital marketing experience with a passion for healthcare innovation by transitioning into medical sales. Skilled in data analysis and customer relationship management, I have executed campaigns that resulted in a 40% increase in online engagement for tech startups.
- Eager to establish a career in medical sales, offering a fresh and analytical approach to sales strategies and customer engagement. With a strong academic background in life sciences and hands-on experience in clinical settings, I am ready to leverage a deep understanding of healthcare needs to facilitate effective sales solutions.
- Aspiring Medical Sales Representative driven by a desire to make a tangible impact on patient care through the promotion of cutting-edge medical devices and treatments. Possessing a recently completed Master’s degree in Biomedical Science, I am prepared to translate academic knowledge into practical sales strategies that align with healthcare advances.
The best formula for your medical sales CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Demonstrated consistent achievement of sales targets in previous medical sales roles through strategic territory management and engaging key stakeholders.
- Developed and executed detailed business plans to address market changes and maximise market potential within the medical device or pharmaceutical sectors.
- Exhibited in-depth knowledge of product lines, including features, benefits, and clinical data, to effectively communicate and educate healthcare professionals.
- Cultivated strong relationships with medical professionals, decision-makers and influencers within the healthcare community, leading to increased business opportunities.
- Maintained a high level of expertise in competitive products and the healthcare industry, attending relevant training sessions and professional conferences.
- Implemented successful negotiation strategies with healthcare institutions to secure contracts and drive sales success.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams, including marketing and customer service, to ensure a cohesive approach to customer satisfaction.
- Documented all sales activities and customer interactions in the CRM system, providing accurate and timely reports to management.
- Participated in regional and national sales meetings, contributing valuable insights and feedback to fine-tune sales strategies and improve overall team performance.
- Steered a 25% increase in regional cardiac device sales by developing and executing impactful client education on product benefits and usage.
- Cultivated relationships with key opinion leaders across 15 hospitals, resulting in stronger brand advocacy and heightened market penetration.
- Lead project management for the introduction of a new biotechnology stent, overseeing the cross-functional team collaboration from conceptualization to market launch.
- Exceeded annual sales targets by 40% through strategic account development and leveraging advanced clinical data to drive physician engagement.
- Implemented a custom CRM solution tailored to the unique needs of the pharmaceutical landscape, enhancing sales force effectiveness and customer follow-ups.
- Executed over 200 in-service training sessions for clinicians, significantly enhancing product knowledge and fostering a 30% upsurge in repeat business.
- Pioneered the adoption of a novel respiratory drug within the territory, capturing 20% market share within the first year of launch.
- Orchestrated a digital marketing campaign targeting healthcare professionals, which elevated product awareness by 50% as measured by HCP engagement metrics.
- Navigated complex NHS procurement processes to secure a £1.2 million contract for new oncology treatments, reinforcing the company's competitive position.
- Led a team of 10 sales associates to outperform sales goals by 35% for three consecutive years within the dynamic field of medical imaging.
- Directed the launch of a high-tech ultrasound device, coordinating with R&D and marketing to ensure alignment with customer needs and market trends.
- Facilitated cross-departmental efforts to tailor a patient-centered sales approach, bolstering patient outcomes and clinician satisfaction scores.
- Drove a focused campaign to promote a new line of haematology analysers, resulting in a 32% growth in sales volume over two years.
- Championed a collaborative initiative with R&D to collect and integrate clinician feedback, leading to a 15% improvement in product functionality.
- Designed and delivered specialized training for new sales hires, equipping them with advanced selling techniques tailored to the medical equipment sector.
- Expedited the market entry of a groundbreaking neurostimulation therapy, surpassing initial adoption rate forecasts by 45%.
- Negotiated multi-year supply agreements with three of the UK's leading private healthcare groups, increasing long-term revenue stability.
- Presented at 10+ industry conferences, positioning the company as a thought leader in innovative pain management solutions.
- Attained top sales performer status in the region by consistently exceeding KPIs for new product uptake and total revenue generation.
- Established a telesales programme to extend reach to rural clinics, enhancing access to primary care diagnostics and boosting sales by 20%.
- Led the strategic planning and execution of territory-wide customer seminars, intensifying brand loyalty and educational engagement.
- Revolutionized territory sales strategies by integrating data analytics, resulting in a 50% increase in accuracy for target market identification and engagement.
- Managed a portfolio of surgical products, successfully securing preferred supplier status in 15 primary care trusts (PCTs) within the UK.
- Initiated a mentorship programme that uplifted the sales team’s capabilities, directly influencing a 25% rise in cross-selling opportunities.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Key medical sales CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your medical sales CV:
Clinical knowledge
Sales proficiency
Product demonstration
Customer relationship management (CRM)
Business acumen
Strategic planning
Contract negotiation
Market analysis
Regulatory compliance
Medical terminology
Communication skills
Persuasiveness
Interpersonal skills
Problem-solving
Time management
Adaptability
Resilience
Empathy
Teamwork
Networking ability
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your medical sales CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your medical sales CV:
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional medical sales CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
