Career 2000 Recruitment

entry level requirements

PLEASE NOTE THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT STIPULATEED BY CAREER 2000, BUT ARE PRE-REQUISITES STIPULATED BY PHARMACEUTICAL AND SURGICAL ORGANISATIONS WHO SEND CAREER 2000 JOB SPECIFICATIONS TO FILL THEIR REQUIREMENTS OF A JNR MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVE.

Jnr or Trainee Medical Representative – (Multinational Organisations)

» A South African Citizen
» In possession of a valid driving licence.
» A three year degree from University in the Life Science (must have studied Anatomy and Physiology as part of the subjects of three years). For example BSc Biotechnology, BA Human Movement Science, BSc Sport Science, BSc Microbiology etc.
» When a position is very specialised, a specific tertiary education is critical (for example an experienced Theatre Nurse to sell »Trauma Products to Orthopaedic Surgeons) No more than 3-5 years work experience after graduating from University.
» An inherent (built-in) sales personality (good listening skill, planning, organising, sales ability, persuasiveness, writing skill, verbal skill, attention to detail, communication skill, independent, self motivated, flexibility, target-driven, professional, goal orientated etc.)
» Planning and organising skills are of paramount importance as well as a strong administrative ability.
» Able to converse in English at an acceptable business level (in some cases bilingualism is a necessity when dealing with customers in the northern Suburbs and West Coast/Garden Route regions).
» In other cases when dealing with a client base in the Township areas, a black language would be highly beneficial.
In certain instances, candidates must have their own vehicle, otherwise a company vehicle or car allowance will be supplied. If a car allowance, then the candidate must be credit cleared to apply for a car allowance in their own name using the companies’ car allowance.
» Computer literacy is essential (MS Word, Excel, Internet and Email).
» Excellent written skill for report writing and verbal skill for communication to customers and managers alike.
» Independent and self motivated (often reporting to managers based in Gauteng or Kwa Zulu Natal region)
Certain customers (Pharmaceutical and Surgical companies) require medical representatives to visit their client base on a Country Trip, which can be time away from home every 6-8 week cycle (for 2-3 days) so the candidate must be willing to travel (either the West Coast, Garden Route or Boland/Wine lands regions).
» Those who have a tertiary education in Marketing, may still apply, but bear in mind that preference will be given to candidates that have a Degree in the Life Sciences.
» Preference will also be given to BEE candidates (black, coloured, Asian) for “Entry Level” positions provided they meet the set criteria outlined by each individual customer.
» Required to attend a 6 week training course at Head Office (once appointed) which is normally based in Mpumalanga and to attain a pass mark of between 70-90% on the anatomy/physiology/product related course. Should the candidate achieve a pass rate that is far below the acceptable standard, an immediate termination of employment could occur (each customer has their own Conditions of Employment).

Intermediate/Sn/Specialist Medical Representative – (Multinational Organisations)

» For Medical Representative who fall in the Intermediate and Senior/Specialist/Surgical category, certain criteria identified above will still apply, however, as experienced medical sales candidates, they are evaluated on behavioural dimensions in current job or previous jobs.
» Customers look to see what they have achieved as a medical representative.
» Things like Tertiary education, current earnings and job-related courses are factors all taken into further consideration.
» As well as fitting into the company (team dynamics, culture, clients, management etc. And what they can bring to the organisation in terms of experience and knowledge of the region, product or client base).
» Having received Awards such as “Rep Of The Year” or “Rookie Of The Year” or “Most Improved Growth For The Region” will always catch the eye of a potential employer.
» The average age of candidates on our database hired as Medical Representatives appears to be between 22-32 years.
» The average age of management appears to be between 32-45 years.
» Candidates with an average age of more than 40 years, appear to have left the medical sales industry (due to changes within the current pre-requisite requirements e.g. Anatomy/Physiology degree), and embarked on a different career, unless promoted to an Executive/Board Member post at Head Office region (e.g. National Sales Manager, Product Manager, Director, CEO level etc.) or have been promoted/transferred to International Offices within their employer.

National Companies and Agents

» Requirements are different from above
» They usually hire Pharmacy Reps, Nutriceutical Reps, OTC Reps (Over The Counter) Merchandisers
» Each customer has their own requirements (but a 3 year degree is not usually specified as critical)
» Normally proven sales background working for a corporate company, or in the case of Pharmacy Representatives or OTC
» Representative (Over The Counter Medicine) or Nutriceutical Representatives, a strong merchandising or brand management sales background would be a huge advantage.
» If experienced in the field of pharmacy sales then obviously this is an added advantage.
» Salary packages are far lower than those offered by multination organisations
» Most should have their own vehicle
» In the Western Cape region, the turnover of staff within National Companies is not all that large, most tend to stay in their jobs for longer periods than at Multinational organisations, and hence Career 2000 does the bulk of recruitment for Multinational companies.
» Agencies are bought by business people to market products within South Africa, these entrepreneurs then hire sales representatives to market a wide range of products. This can be anything from a cream for acne to a wound dressing for burn victims. These are usually small to medium businesses and they do not make use of Career 2000 for their staff requirements. Rather they hire candidates on a word-of-mouth basis.