In Part one, we discussed medical device sales jobs and what career entailed. In part 2, we’re going to discuss biotechnology sales and the requirements for this type of career.
Just what is Biotechnology? It’s the manipulation of biological organisms to make products that benefit human beings. Biotechnology is involved in food production, waste disposal, mining, and medicine. Biotechnology. also referred to as “Biotech”, is a rapidly growing industry. Biotech companies that focus on healthcare usually have many specialties within biotechnology including biopharmaceuticals, drug discovery, genomics, microbiology and molecular biology. A sales job in biotechnology can offer those with science in their background the chance to use their science training in a marketing setting.
The responsibility of a biotech sales specialist is to develop, manage and execute sales strategies. They are involved in selling and promoting biotechnology or services related to the field. Most biotech sales jobs are with pharmaceutical and biotech companies. They sell their products to research laboratories, hospital laboratories and university medical centers. They also initiate and develop effective relationships with pharmaceutical, government, biotech and academic accounts.
What qualifications do you need to become a biotech sales person? It requires a bachelor’s degree and experience in life sciences. Most sales positions require one to two years of successful sales on your resume. Some companies require a BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biology or other sciences with at least one year of organic chemistry. Having a strong knowledge base of the company products, life science research, and biotechnology research is preferred. Some employers look for people who have had some type of healthcare experience. You also have to have the ability to communicate, orally and in writing, in a manner that is clear, concise and understandable.
What other things are biotech employers looking for? You’ll have an advantage if you are able to show that you have the ability to work independently and also as a team member. Collaboration with others is a common requirement in this type of job. Having strong leadership capabilities is a good trait also. Being highly motivated, goal and business orientated, with strong organizational and time management skills is something they are always looking for in an employee.
There are over 1500 biotechnology companies in the Unites States today offering jobs in biotech sales. Sales representatives specializing in this area will continue to be in demand. Base salaries for these type of positions vary. They can range from $40,000 to $80,000 depending on experience. Commissions can go as high as to over $100,000 a year if you’re really successful. So is this job for you?
By
Linda Lee Ruzicka
Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She also does freelances work for Beyond and for Salesheads. More of her blogs can be found at Salesheads blog.
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