The Best Resume Format For Pharmaceutical & Medical Sales
I receive at least 15-20 e-mails or calls a week with people asking for advice or feedback on the best resume format to use for medical and pharmaceutical sales interviews. I wrote a post last October that explains in greater detail the best format to use, but for a visual, I’ll share the actual sample resume that we recommend all of our candidates use for medical and pharmaceutical sales interviews. Short and sweet is still the name of the game with bullet points highlighting all of your successes. No fluff.
YOUR NAME
Address
City, State Zip
Phone, Fax
OBJECTIVE
Seeking a *(see below) sales representative position within a growth oriented company where advancement and earnings are based upon performance and achievement. *(Please make a medical sales representative and a pharmaceutical sales representative resume)
EXPERIENCE
Xerox Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Major Account Executive June 2001-Present
Sales Representative
§ #1 Sales Representative 2004 – 10 out of 12 months
§ #1 Sales Representative Producer in Los Angeles Office 2005 YTD
§ Ranked in the top 15 Sales Representatives Nationwide 2005 YTD
§ Certificate of achievement award May 2002 – 200% over quota
§ Responsible for obtaining one of the largest accounts nationwide - The County of Los Angeles
§ Highest Net Revenue Award October 2004 – 675% over quota
§ Circle of Excellence Award – 2001 & 2004
§ Surpassed expected quota 2001-2002 - 200%
§ Promoted to Major Account Executive after 9 Months
Gallo Wine Company Los Angeles, CA
Sales Representative May 1999 - June 2001
§ Top Closer 2000-2001
§ Increased revenue 30%
§ Sales Representative of the Month Award
EDUCATION
University of California, Los Angeles May 1999
§ Bachelor of Arts, Communications
§ Graduated Summa Cum Laude
ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS
§ Member of University of California, Los Angeles’ Football & Track and Field Teams 1995 – 1999
§ Captain of Football, 1998-1999/Captain of Track & Field, 1997-1999 (All American Honors)
§ UCLA Senior Scholar/Athlete of the Year award, 1999
For more interview tips and advice you can visit the Tom Ruff Company website.
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:09 am
Hi Tom.
I was just reading your pharma resume blog. I was wondering about the career objective? I tell my clients that talk is cheap and that if you weren’t applying for a role that met your career objective…. then what are you doing?
Do you think it adds value to the resume, especially given the ‘less is more’ mantra?
Cheers,
Sean
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Sean,
Thanks for raising this question because I’m hearing it more and more frequently. I know for some industries it is not a big deal to have a specific objective on the resume or any objective for that matter. For medical and pharmaceutical sales, however, they still want to see a specific objective catered to this industry and this industry only.
If the job seeker does not have an objective on the resume, the first question we get from the manager is: “Why don’t they have a medical sales objective on their resume? Are they looking at other industries as well?” And if they are interviewing in other industries, they are done. The manager no longer wants to see them. I know it sounds a bit absurd but that’s how it is in this industry (from my perspective).
Thanks for the good question,
Tom
June 17th, 2009 at 10:04 am
an simple resume to apply for pharmaceutical industries?
June 30th, 2009 at 5:47 am
i want the format of resume.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
hi!!!
Actually i am looking for a format of resume for the hospitality line. I am a chef by profession, its already 2 years in this line. i want to move on to some other hotel in the US. so i wanted this crisp resume. it would be great if u could help me out with it.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Nizal,
Here’s a site that should help you:
http://www.landjob.com/Sample-Resumes/Sales-Marketing/Sales-Hospitality-Industry.aspx
Good luck,
Tom
August 5th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Hey Tom…
I worked all sorts of jobs from the medical field to processing fish in alaska. I wonder if you can tell me which format of resume who would suite me best??
Thanks
September 28th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Hello Tom,
I would like to inquire about which resume would be appropriate for a dental technician who would like to find a new career?
Thank you
September 29th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Hi:
Anybody can help me for structure my resume, i´m a industrial engennier and i looking for a job in a manufacturing industry.
thanks!
October 13th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Hi,
Anybody can help me for structure my resume. Iwould like to inquire about which resume would be appropriate for an IT guy, who would like to find a new career?