5 Things I Wish I Knew Before my First Medical Sales Job

When I first landed my role in medical sales, I was pumped….. and overwhelmed. I had the degree, the ambition, and a decent handshake, but once I got into the field, I realized I was missing a few key pieces.

If you’re just getting started, here are five things I wish someone had told me:

1. You don’t have to know everything, but you do need passion.
   I thought I needed to memorize every detail about my products before I could sound credible. What customers actually want is someone who listens, asks real questions, and genuinely cares. People skills beat perfect pitches.

2. Rejection isn’t personal, it’s math.
   Early on, I took every “not interested” like a punch to the gut. Eventually, I realized “no” means “not right now”. Your job is to keep showing up, keep improving, and keep going because enough activity eventually creates results

3. Your manager isn’t your babysitter, they’re your coach.
   I waited too long to ask for feedback or help. When I finally spoke up, my growth sped up. Good managers want you to succeed but they can’t read your mind. Keep asking questions.

4. Build relationships before you need them.
   Don’t wait until you’re chasing a quota to introduce yourself. Say hi early. Follow up without an ask. Make deposits into the relationship bank. You’ll thank yourself later.

5. Don’t fake confidence, build it.
   Confidence doesn’t come from pretending to be smooth. It comes from doing the work, learning from your mistakes, and showing up consistently.

Starting out is tough, but remember, you don’t need all the answers on day one. Show up with passion, keep learning, and build real connections. With consistency and the right mindset, success is within reach.