Action Steps for Finding the Best Candidates for Pharmaceutical Careers
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Peruse medical literature to connect pharmaceuticals jobs with medical professionals

Elevate your job in a pharmaceutical company to a higher level by reviewing resources that medical professionals read. Speak their language when presenting pharmaceutical product data.

I recommend: Access the Journal of the American Medical Association, a distinguished peer-reviewed medical journal that features original articles, commentaries and editorials about critical issues facing the medical field. Read articles about diseases and clinical practice in the New England Journal of Medicine's case records, clinical implications of research and other health topics in this respected medical publication.

Strengthen pharmacy careers and pharmaceutical sales jobs through trade association membership

Individuals with pharmaceutical company jobs stay abreast of industry developments through trade associations designed for people in the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical industries. Making the most of pharmaceutical jobs includes joining these organizations.

I recommend: Enhance your career in pharmacy through peer networking and other mechanisms by becoming a member of the American Pharmacist Association. Join the National Association of Sales Representatives to access information about clinical research, continuing education, certified training and other industry issues.

Distinguish yourself from others with pharmaceutical company jobs

Stand out from other professionals with careers in pharmaceuticals by becoming a storehouse of medical information. In other words, stay on top of drug-related issues affecting the field and consumers.

I recommend: Subscribe to MedWatch, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) online program that provides adverse event reporting and safety information about pharmaceutical medications and products regulated by the FDA. Peruse news headlines on DrugInfoNet.com, a daily resource featuring consumer health news and information. Learn about medical breakthroughs, disease-specific updates and other pharmaceutical industry news.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Differentiate yourself from others with jobs in pharmaceuticals by learning different disease states and the correct medications to treat those diseases.

Guide to Hiring for Pharmaceutical Jobs

Rx for recruiting and hiring for pharmacy careers

By LaRita Heet, Freelance Writer, Journalist, IBT Designer, LMH Communications

1. Conduct thorough reference and background checks on all pharmaceutical employment candidates – whether to fill pharmacist jobs, or pharmacy support staff – to hire those with the highest of ethics.
2. Hire through pharmaceutical employment agencies.
3. Negotiate mutually beneficial employment terms for new pharmacist jobs or others pursuing careers in pharmaceuticals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go to employment agencies to find candidates for careers in pharmaceuticals

Because it’s vital to take extra care when filling your pharmaceutical jobs, many small (and large) businesses prefer to leave this to the experts – pharmaceutical employment agencies. These agencies specialize in one thing and one thing only – finding qualified, legally accredited, and high-quality candidates for your pharmacy careers.

I recommend: InPharm.com does one thing and they do it oh-so-well: give you the top candidates from around the world. No wonder they call themselves “life support for the pharmaceutical industry.” Business.com gives you a full listing of pharmaceutical employment agencies and recruiting services to check out.

Recruit for open jobs in pharmaceuticals through campus and other hiring events

Want to find those looking for a career in pharmacy? Check out college campus career fairs and other industry events for new hires.

I recommend: Find a list of U.S. schools and colleges of pharmacy at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Check Business.com’s directory of pharmacy organizations for event listings.

Negotiate mutually-beneficial employment terms with candidates for pharmaceutical jobs

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average salaries for pharmacists are in the $90,000 range; salaries for pharmacy technicians are about $25,000; and pharmacy aides earn about $20,000. Pharmaceutical sales reps are typically paid a base salary plus commission or commission only.

I recommend: Business.com gives you a goldmine of great pharmaceutical industry salary tools and resources. PayScale, which boasts the world's largest database of individual employee compensation profiles, gives employers accurate, reliable compensation details based on several factors.

Post your pharmaceutical jobs on the Web

Rather than using a “general” job board, post your pharmaceutical employment openings on Web sites that are geared to the pharmaceutical industry.

I recommend: Go to iHirePharmacy for their many benefits, including the fact that their niche focus in the pharmaceutical industry means that their candidates have the right work experience and skills. RxCareerCenter is the “largest job board” for pharmacist jobs and other pharmacy careers, and provides employers with a complete back-end management system for loading their open jobs and tracking resumes. Post jobs by specific job titles within the career in pharmacy or by state.

Check credentials of candidates applying for a career in pharmacy

Conduct thorough background checks on all candidates to ensure that you fill your pharmacist jobs with people who are properly licensed and trained.

I recommend: Check pharmacist licenses in your state at the Health Guide USA site. Screen Now Employment is a background search firm that searches for healthcare sanctions in addition to basic background.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Chemistry is key: Make sure your new hires for pharmacist jobs and support staff have good chemistry with existing staff.
• •  For some professionals who are looking for pharmacist jobs, benefits such as vacation time and preferred parking, can make your company more attractive.
• •  When looking to fill jobs in pharmaceutical careers, ask your best, most trusted employees for referrals of other graduating classmates or others looking for a career in pharmacy.
• •  Take your time and carefully select those for pharmacist jobs, rather than rushing to fill a position immediately – and possibly making a costly hiring mistake.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tap pharmaceutical staffing agencies and former sales representatives for industry news

Learn from individuals with careers in the pharmaceutical industry. Their first-hand knowledge helps monitor issues relating to the field. Additionally, seek support from recruiters to gauge pharmaceutical staffing trends.

I recommend: Sign up for posts from weblogs such as The Blog of Tom Ruff, a resource that gives the latest trends about the pharmaceutical sales industry, including networking and hiring tips. Contact Pharmaceuticalwork.com to purchase the ebook “Pharmaceutical Sales How to Get the Job.” The author possesses pharmaceuticals jobs experience and outlines strategies to get pharmaceutical company jobs.

Sort through job boards that list pharmaceuticals sales jobs and pharmacy careers

Track careers in the pharmaceutical industry on comprehensive employment boards. Designed for individuals seeking jobs and for employers posting jobs, career boards provide an overview of jobs in pharmaceuticals.

I recommend: Land a career in pharmacy through postings at Pharmacy Choice, a progressive employment board that lists pharmacist jobs and pharmaceutical careers across the country. Post your resume at MedZilla, Inc., a comprehensive job board for employers, recruiters and job seekers. They list national and worldwide jobs in pharmaceutical industry posted by dozens of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

Read articles about best practices for individuals with careers in pharmaceuticals

Gain career development tips, sales training ideas and suggestions for selling to physicians in industry publications. Read articles about resume writing, salary negotiation and scores of other topics related to pharmaceutical employment.

I recommend: Study news stories in leading industry publications such as Pharmaceutical Representative, a monthly magazine for professionals with jobs in pharmaceuticals. Access a comprehensive selection of articles to support your job search at BioSpace, Inc., a career resource center for individuals seeking jobs in pharmaceuticals.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask your family doctor or other health care professional to give you their perspective of pharmaceutical company jobs and issues affecting the industry. Medical professionals provide good insight on industry news and trends.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pharmacist

Pharmacists represent the third largest health profession in the United States. The pharmacist distributes drugs to professionals, advises patients and professionals on dosing, and discusses side effects and drug selection. Most current pharmacists have a Pharm.D, which is a Doctor of Pharmacy degree that requires approximately six years to complete. Pharmacists practice their profession in various settings, including community pharmacies, long term care settings, hospitals, mail service pharmacies, managed care facilities and the federal government.

I recommend: The Bureau of Labor and Statistics offers specific information about a career as a pharmacist, including what a pharmacist does, how to prepare for a pharmacy career, salary and future job prospects.

Pharmaceutical sales representative

A pharmaceutical sales representative has a versatile job which involves selling pharmaceutical products to physicians, hospital staff, pharmacists and many other medical health professionals. Most pharmaceutical sales professionals have a college degree, and many have a background in the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry or organic chemistry. The job requires a substantial amount of road time, as representatives must cover a particular area or territory.

I recommend: The Princeton Review explains various aspects of the pharmaceutical sales field.

Biomedical engineer

Biomedical engineers apply their engineering skills to analyze and solve specific problems in the fields of biology and medicine. Typically, biomedical engineers work in cooperation with other medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, therapists and technicians. Common tasks performed by biomedical engineers include instrument, device and software design, development of new procedures, and solving clinical problems through research.

I recommend: The Biomedical Engineering Society explains the responsibilities of a biomedical engineer.

Microbiologist

Microbiologists are scientists who examine and study microscopic organisms and infectious agents, such as bacteria, yeast, algae, fungi, protozoa and viruses. In addition, microbiologists evaluate how organisms interact with people. Most microbiologists work in teaching institutions, medical facilities or private industries.

I recommend: State University.com details specific aspects of a microbiology career.

Pharmacy technician

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense medication and other medical related products to customers. Tasks carried out by pharmacy technicians include preparing medication, labeling bottles and counting pills. In addition, the pharmacy technician performs tasks such as answering phones, stocking shelves, and cashing out customers.

I recommend: All Allied Health Schools provides information about the pharmacy technician career, including typical salary, training and certification.

Doctorate of pharmacy

The Doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) is a professional degree which requires six years of study. The first two years, which cover pre-requisite course work, are followed by four years of pharmacy training. The various topics covered include biological chemistry, biometrics and pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutics and pathophysiology.

I recommend: The Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences details a typical Pharm. D. program curriculum.