![]() |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Impressions |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Let’s face it, it’s true what they say about a first impression, it may be your last. You ever notice that most pharmaceutical sales reps are well-dressed? If you are interviewing for a pharmaceutical sales job, then dress to impress! I can't believe it when candidates show up at a job fair or open house not wearing a suit. Guys should wear a well-fitted, dark, three-button suit, a white shirt, conservative tie (stripes are in) and be sure to polish your shoes. Women: To play it safe, always try to wear a dark suit with pants. A skirt worn in good taste would be fine, but I once interviewed a woman with a tear in her stocking. Mini-skirts are definitely out of the question. Wearing just pants and a shirt is not professional enough. I once sent a candidate to my regional manager that showed up wearing dark pants and a sleeveless shirt. The interview was over before it even started. And then there are candidates and reps that make me laugh: kacky pants and a polo shirt, sloppy shirts sticking out of their pants, flies open, stained shirts and ties, torn shoes, and ill-fitting suits. Doctors take notice of what you wear and how you present yourself. They appreciate a professional look. Men should always wear the jacket regardless of the weather! Women should not wear clothing that exposes tattoos. I have nothing against tattoos (I have three myself), but doctors don’t need to see them. During my interview process for my first pharmaceutical sales position, I did a telephone interview with a doctor. When I asked him what he looked for in a salesperson, the first thing he mentioned was appearance. He told me about a rep who had been a complete slob. His greasy hair pressed down on his forehead; his fat stomach bulged out of his coffee-stained shirt, revealing his undershirt and bellybutton hairs; his suit, when he did wear a jacket, looked as if he had just pulled it out of the laundry basket. The doctor roared on the other end of the phone as he told me the story and I roared with him. He added that no other doctor in the office would see the rep. He had agreed to see this rep only because he was so fascinated by the man’s sloppiness. Trust me—this is not how you want district managers or doctors to remember you (excerpt from Pharmaceutical Landing). During a job fair one candidate walked in wearing a blue tooth on his ear. I said, "Are you expecting a call?" Then in a haste, removed his blue tooth. Out of respect for people, I gave him about 5 minutes, but he was done before the interview even started. If someone shows that type of poor business judgement during an interview, it is just a taste of poor future judgments. Be Fit! If you want your clothes to fit nicely and you think you maybe a little on the "heavy side," then start an exercise and nutrition program with my other book Bodybuilding a Realistic Approach. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||