Career in biotechnology---SALES.

[Elite Engineer]

Im usually on this forum everday, but have been excpetionally busy the past 3-4 months with school. I plan to finish my BS in biotechnology in 1.5 yrs...and there is talk

 

of some biotechs going to into research, and some going into sales. Does anyone know what "sales" in the biotech industry would be like....telemarketer? Do you have any

 

experience with sales and science? What would be some marketable things I could do..i.e. minor in business...

 

~EE

[CharonY]

Sales depends on what the company does (does it fabricate and sale or is it a vendor?). But in the broadest sense the job in sales (or account manager) is to keep your customers happy so that they come back for more. Typically you would identify how your products would fit the needs of a given lab or company, and present or demo it to them in a tailored fashion. A vendor would e.g. identify products needed by the lab offer discounts etc.

Depending on level specialization the sales person often also acts as liaison between the buyer and the technical support team/application specialists. You do not actually actively sell things, but rather your job is to integrate into the buyer's need at some level (can be singular expensive item, like a mass spec, or consumables) and try to meet them.

 

Marketable things? Understanding the products and who/how/when they are used. Know the target audience and be able to communicate with them effectively (especially scientists are not very amenable to business-speak). I have yet to meet a sales person with a business degree of sorts. Most that I interact with or know privately have MSc or PhD degrees in relevant areas.

[Elite Engineer]

so can you get started in sales with a BS in biotech?

[CharonY]

Depends on the company and what they sell. But especially for generic labware I suppose it is not out of the question. You should have decent people's skills, though.

Typically the companies will have their requirements posted. But be aware that they are not trying to buy someone with a degree, but rather who can represent the company and sell their products.

Edited September 19, 2014 by CharonY