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Industry experts predict that hiring demand for pharmaceutical sales representatives is likely to shrink in the coming years.  These predictions are based on a number of factors.  While industry mergers will play a prominent role in the reduced demand, pressures from the expiration of certain prominent drug patents and an industry shift toward specialized regional sales teams will also affect demand.

How will these trends affect the future of sales teams – and your ability to hire the talent you need?  Here are some key points to consider:

  1. Hire to build a team. Whether your department is going through a merger, downsizing or similar reorganization, your goal as a manager should remain the same: find and keep the people you need to build the strongest possible team. In some cases, this will mean focusing on retention; in others, it will mean choosing the person who offers the best cultural “fit” and the biggest possibilities to inspire and motivate other team members.
  2. Look beyond technical skill. A shrinking demand will increase the number of qualified professionals applying for any open position. As a result, it will be easier to find people with the ability to do the job well – and harder to choose your top candidate if technical skill is your only focus.  Work with your staffing partner to cultivate hiring strategies that focus on employment branding, soft skills, growth potential and cultural “fit” in order to find the best person for your
  3. Your recruiter will remain your strongest ally. Staffing firms focus a great deal of energy on understanding the trends and patterns of the industries they serve – including the upcoming reduction in demand for pharmaceutical sales reps. Their goal?  To ensure the next change on the horizon serves as an opportunity for their clients, not a crisis.   Partnering with a staffing firm helps you maintain access to top talent, no matter what twists and turns are ahead for the industry.

At SMR Group Ltd, our recruiters specialize in connecting our clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries with the best sales and marketing candidates.  Contact us today to learn more about our pharmaceutical sales recruitment solutions.


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